Comparing european and american studs - Page 1

I spend hours upon hours a day looking at german shepherds. I have no life other than 3 dogs, 4 kids, and 2 horses. But to the point. When comparing American based studs versus European, are there any studs in America that could go to Europe and be successful? Most people will say there is no comparison, which i agree. Most of the big names are imported to the U.S. anyway from Europe. Kway, Eick, Basko, Melano, Zidane, etc. Input from European breeders welcome.

And oh yeah, i am talking about working line.

there are some very nice working line gsd breeders over here in America who produce great dogs.  just as good as alot of the dogs in Europe.  the problem is, in america,  we are such a large country,  most people do not live close to a schutzhund club.  most breeders I know are at least a few hours away from the nearest club. 

some breeders with great working lines that I know of are
adler stein, rancho rhein, dornburg(her dogs have performed very well in south america, and europe, limited breedings,  but great dogs), germelhaus,  rheinhaus,  and many many others. I am sorry cause I know I have missed many other great breeders in the states.

the big thing is to go to the best german imported male for stud.  but trust me,  there are just as many super nice working line males who were born in the states.  

i would like to add meerhout and landschaft kennels. What do we need to do to get the same respect as european kennels? If it comes down to the number of sch clubs that are too far away, that means that people are too interested in making a few dollars off of the pups than getting some people together to start a club doesnt it? And back to the studs, we all pretty much know the only reason that germany, belgium and other europeans sell the dogs that dont make the grade as studs or prospects to americans.

Bobby, you stated "If it comes down to the number of sch clubs that are too far away, that means that people are too interested in making a few dollars off of the pups than getting some people together to start a club doesnt it?"

Lucky for me I have a good club fairly close. Just taking the starting a club aspect. You aren't considering that Schutzhund is a relatively small sport here in the US.  In some area's of this country you'd have to look hundreds if not thousands of miles to find a handful of people that were into the sport. Then you would need a good training helper to be able to train with any seriousness. I'm sure everyone will ahree these are in short supply here. While the entire country of Germany isn't much larger than the State of Michigan. It has how many clubs????

I think there are many studs here in this country who have just as much to contribute to the breed as dogs in Europe, both imported and born and raised here in the states. All one has to do is look at the trial results. Germelhaus had 3 dogs out of one litter compete at National Level many times. Eichenluft also had 3 or 4 compete at the same national event a few years ago, from different breedings. Rheinland, Floyd haus, and Fruhlingsbach also come to mind as having produced national and world level dogs.

Many of the bloodlines that are popular in Europe are easily found right here in this country. I see no reason to send a female over seas to be bred or even import a puppy. You can find equal if not better, and with a more solid guarantee or contract on our own soil.

As far as travel to club, if you are committed it is do-able. I drive 3 hours each way to train my dog at club. Lightly considering relocating to a different part of the country due to my husband's job, one of the main criteria is "Is there a good club that can help me bring my young dog to national level". Anything worth doing is never easy.