Is this working or show? - Page 2

Ok let's say these two dogs were mated...what do you think? 

www.pedigreedatabase.com/gsd/pedigree/387416.html

www.pedigreedatabase.com/gsd/pedigree/126815.html

I'd say both Diego and Mercedes are both listed as retired so probably not going to be bred.

Ok but let's say a dog was available from a previous litter, or they were actually younger, or they had a miraculous "test tube baby".

Okay, pretend litter.  IF I was into show lines, I would be contacting Mary ASAP to get on her list for one of those pups.  But since working lines are my choice I guess I not.

WELL acquainted with both dogs, and their progeny. Pass.

Expecially since you're into the working lines too?       I can't picture either of us with a showline......

That too!! LOL I simply have seen only one show line dog that really worked like a working line on the field and that was that one that Suzanne Eviston had. Remember? When she did protection, she was impressive and we all agreed that it wasn't just "good show bitch," but good bitch-period. But, remember, I started with a bitch that was half show and looked so much like one of Bullinger's bitches, Lexie, that I was often asked if she was a Brew daughter. Fortunately, she worked and acted like the working half.

The hypothetical mating is definately a show litter. The parents are from Tracy's Ellen and Freddy era. Ellen and Freddy have the Maaraue kennel in Germany and as the breed split, they went with the conformation dogs but retained working ability in their breeding program. Most everything they had was SchH3. They were very influential in Tracy's kennel development and many of her dogs in the early 90's were products of their influence.

One would have to look at the dogs in the litter to determine the success of the combination as with all litters. There will be some differences between individuals. It's nice when there is a consistent majority that possess the traits the breeder is looking for. The combination is interesting since it's line bred on Amigo. Amigo was a dog who's ability was recognized by Ellen and Freddy and he was incorporated into their breeding plans often. When considering working ability in conformation lines, He's a good dog to see back in the pedigree.

The mother to the female in the hypothetical breeding has the same mother as Ule Temar, this year's universal sieger(in). The litter would be interesting from this prospective if no other reason as many breeders reatin females that dominantly produce the traits they desire. Add to that a Gucci son (Quartz to Amigo), and from a work perspective you may have something that may make it to the Nationals as their ancestors did. There are many other dogs involved in the pedigree and the work may be watering down from generation to generation. I've noticed the breeders that try to retain work in their lines are consistently going to the Amigo descendents, mainly Quartz before the influence is gone. I don't know of many males in the US still breeding from him, only 4, there may be 5.  

I would agree with the reference to Tracey's breeding in the early 90's. That was also the period of Brew v Bullinger, her HOTB that made the Canadian WUSV team, and produced Lexie. Lexie was described as "extremely pronounced" at one of the USA SS. Having seen her work, I was never "offended" by queries as to whether my half/half bitch was a Brew daughter, or Lexie herself (they did resemble each other enough that Suzanne Eviston, Lexie's co-owner/handler once asked if Magic was a Brew daughter). That being said, one thing that must be pointed out about Lexie and Ule, is that they were TRAINED regularly, the same as the working line dogs in the clubs where they trained. They were raised like working line dogs, i.e. drive-building, puppy OB and tracking, as opposed to being groomed only for the show ring. Brew himself was from a period when Tracey actively trained and trialed herself. I would also agree with the reference to Amigo. That is not a guarantee, however. But, I have noted that when I have seen show line dogs on the field that seemed to have a bit extra, Amigo was often in the background.

In other words they would likely have potential as working dogs but would need to be properly raised as puppies to bring out the potential?