Consider this.... - Page 4

I just noticed -- GREAT Job Mods   

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 Rik - what year did you get your first GSD?   My first GSD was late '69 or '70 (if I remember correctly).   Pedigree started out as German - then German/Am mix - then American.   Wonderful dog -- All Black.

Yes, Rik,
I would say the same about you.....Just to clarify a few things, As I recall, you and I met through a mutual friend.....I know you, and respect you for for the person I met and at the time,  had the pleasure of being in the company of....Back in the Am S/L days for us, the people with the same interest tried to work together to help each other.....They were not out to hurt or "cut throat" the next guy trying to succeed....So many  times I recall breeders, owners, and judges, all at ringside trying to help each other in some kind of way....There was always someone there ready to share knowledge, and give advice to those who needed it or wanted it...These people didn't carry a chip on their shoulder......A person never had to ask.....For the most part, it was like that everywhere a group of Am S/L GSD folks gathered.....At least that is how it was with the folks I associated with.....Of course there was always a handful of spiteful people that wanted nothing to do with others......Would you not agree with me Rik? ...  This is just my opinion......

Like a lot of people, I started out with an American show lines shepherd.   My primary interest was obedience and I did get a UD on her.  It was a LOT of work!  Bred her twice to a German show lines dog and kept a male from the first litter and a bitch from the second.  Got UDs on both.  The bitch was pretty but very "environmentally sensitive" so she was never bred.   The male sired 2 litters but I didn't like what he produced so he not used again.   I did have fun showing him tho, and put a bunch of titles on him....but no matter how hard we worked, he was never going to be as agile and drivey as those "other" dogs.  Big handsome dog, gorgeous head, smart, but LAZY.

I'm very happy with the German working line dogs I have now and have no interest in going back to show lines, ever. 



Can & UKC Ch. Logan Am/Can UD SchH1 (Canadian Group Winner)
Sire: VA2 (I) Vopo vom Kirschental SchH3 FH Kkl 1
Dam: Mein Schatz Lara Am/Can UD

 4pack .
First, I just want to say when I see a thread like this one it kinda gives me a little insight on individuals. I have only been on here not even six mos. but there are some who it's nice to see how their brain works, their background, their experience and experiences. If a person knows more than I do I don't have a problem having some respect towards them or even feeling threatened.
 
As I stated earlier when I first came on the PDB, I don't draw a line on GSDs. It's all one breed to me. But being prior military, prior LEO and now EDD Handler the "path" that GSDs are in my eyes or my own dogs are "WORKING".  Now there is no way I'm saying my dogs are better or that they are the best! But when you experience that your life or the lives of others depend on what this dog can do and the ability to read the dog and comprehend what you are reading then that is a different type of Bond/love that only those that do it can relate to. To realize that this dog will give his/her life so that you and others will live.....................

An earlier post where I was attempting to get a "working" dog to Afghanistan and a smart ass made a joke "opposed to non-working" made me realize he had no clue to what I was asking. Our working dogs (I'm sure there might be some?) but our working dogs don't have titles, paperwork and are not interested in titles, and paperwork. And because they don't have titles etc; does not mean they don't have what it takes or that they don't have it in them. They have a job to do and that is their version of "competitions" I have no experience or experiences with S/Ls except what I see on T.V. or see/read here on the PDB. Do I like them any less? No. But the path that I have chosen is that the dog is truly a "working dog" he/she is a tool..............and that tool is an extension of me, what's available to me and my job/capabilities. One of the true aspects, IMO, of a working dog. By what we do the threat is real and the consequences are real and ones we might not want to look at or think about.  But it is a necessity!  

Yes, it's a shame individuals leave but there is still experience and knowledge here. I could give a rat's ass less if so and so has been doing dogs 15, 20 years......................... or is or came from another country. Man or woman, knows more than me! Put it all on the table and let's better ourselves first, then the breed. 

 

hello nona, I think the people I have met are the same as from Am. days. With the am dogs, everybody had pretty much the same goal. Run faster than the dog behind. Character/work wasn't much of an issue so no reason for fall outs.

With the German dogs I have found folks to be much more concerned about health/character issues and more passionate.

dunnringill, if you are from Canada, have you ever met Alan Milhousen, kennel name Alfaro.

mags, got my first Am. s/l in 1984. We placed 17th. out of 17 in our first show. Before that I had dobes and Min. Schnauzers. I had a "Queen Bee" from House of Hoytt.

Rik

Hi Rik,

No not from Canada, we just did a couple of show-vacations up there a few summers in a row.  I did think it was funny that at one point my dog was a Canadian group winner but had no points down here.  I did get a handful of single AKC points on him (some where I showed him myself) but eventually moved away from the conformation ring and stuck with the performance stuff.

I still show in obedience in Canada once in a great while, but gas and entries are more expensive these days!