Let’s talk lines? - Page 1

Give me a moment to put on an asbestos suit.

Alright here we go.

Disclaimers:
Have you done health screening?
Yes. Hips and elbows good, DM free N/N

Have you done anything with him?
Yes. He has an IPO 2, restricted only by the inadequacy of his handler: myself. ;)

The point being I worked and trained him, learning his temperament strengths and weaknesses.

http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/german_shepherd_dog/dog.html?id=640962-erik-vicona

While he is 10.5 years old, he has been collected a couple of times and produced 90% live, normal sperm cells, so I have some straws frozen and will collect more this year.

I may, down the road, look for a female who would be a good match with him. As a place to start researching I’m curious and asking the company assembled for opinions on what lines would be a good place to start looking?


 

A lot depends on what you want to get out of the end of the process and what you think the people who will want to buy other pups from the litter (assuming you are not planning to keep all of them !) might be looking for.

What's your target market ? Serious competition buffs ? Pet / house-guard companion people who won't put much training effort in ? Show circuit ? LE / Tracking / S&R ?
Do you care more about the working ability, and 'drives', 'grip' etc; or are you set on a dog that looks good and conforms to the Breed Standard, and that can just 'hold its own' on a training field ? Or will you want greater trainability ? Dogs that are 'good all-rounders' may never be stars, in any field; but they may still make perfect family dogs. All these points should influence what you are looking for in a female, as to get what you and your customers think will be the right type of dog ( reflecting your old boys good qualities ), you will need to double up on his good points (whether physical or temperamental) and avoid doubling up on, or bringing in, any feature you consider won't fit the picture.

All you will get from someone who tells you "The dogs of kennel 'X' are perfect for you" is what THEY like & require in a Shepherd.

you are going about it the wrong way, take any female, evaluate her qualities and weaknesses and find a male that matches best, the other way around is almost impossible, but good luck anyway

RLHAR, why the asbestos suit.???

@Mr. Darcy because I’ve been around these boards for a decade plus. I have seen the way people who ask questions like these come under fire. This board is the sole reason I never explored breeding my dog before.

Duke I don’t want to breed dogs. I don’t want to have a female and then try to match her to a different male. I have my male, but he is in his twilight years, but I know I want and I am hoping to get a son of his for my next SAR dog.

I am simply looking for opinions about what lines appear to produce well with his lines because if nothing works out while he’s still alive, then maybe a few years down the road I will need to start searching again. I’m looking for a starting point.

Have you thought about putting a classified ad out there, stating you have frozen semen? When a suitable female's owner requests, then you can take a pup in place of payment, provided there are pups of course.

I think a female with Hoky would do well with your dog.

@Koots

I have thought about it. I wanted to get some ideas about possible lines, and then do some research to be able to have an educated conversation with anyone who might respond.

dont look at lines, dogs are outcrossed so much that you can take 50 dogs from 1 line and have 50 totally different dogs, look at the qualities of the dogs you will use for breeding

Inclined to agree with Duke. If you can line up a few females with their owners who will discuss outcomes with you, and meet all that you are looking for in terms of health / abilities / looks etc you can then compare them, having narrowed it down a bit. Better than chasing family lines across the planet / country. (And its still a crap-shoot).

Do you really think these comments are worth the asbestos suit ? We are just trying to help, based on what you told us.

RL, just from pedigree, that seems a nice, worthy dog. and I am sure many here would have enjoyed your experiences from ground zero to all you accomplished with him. and also things you learned along the way.

I cannot imagine any having an issue with you wanting to breed a dog that has reached this level.

I was not a particularly successful breeder, but I always tried to keep one thought in mind, do I think this breeding is moving me towards a goal I have in my mind, or is it just a crap shoot.

best,
Rik