If you were a breeder...

[Jax's Mom]

...What line would you breed and what type of handler/family/lifestyle would you recommend your line to, and why?

...If you ARE a breeder, same thing.

...Just for fun...

[Andaka]

I am a breeder of American Show Line dogs. I recommend my dogs to active people -- those that like to do things with their dogs. It doesn't have to be competitive. but that doesn't hurt either.

[selzer]

German showlines. I just love everything about them.

What type of family would I recommend to this line? This is a really hard question. I think the German Showline dogs are good for anyone who really, wants a good companion animal and are willing and able to commit to what that means.

Not everyone is right for a GSD, and especially German Shepherd Dog puppies. They think it would be neat to have a dog, they had one when they were a kid, they like the nice calm dogs that their friend has, they think it would be fun to go to obedience classes, but they are too in love with their own selves, that they do not understand that pet ownership is a 24/7 deal.

How in the world do you figure out who these people are? People wanting a puppy or dog, know what you want to hear. They will tell you that they will take it to training classes, they will tell you whatever you want to hear. But they do not always follow through.

I think people can work full time and manage a puppy if and only if they have a plan for the puppy. They want the puppy to train it in agility, to compete with it in obedience, to raise it as a therapy dog, and the list goes on.

People with kids can definitely do wonderful with German Showline puppies. But, they have to be committed to training and socializing the puppy. That might mean taking dog classes and NOT doing something the kids wants to do that evening every week.

Older people, retired, adult children with grand children can do well with German Showline dogs too. But they still have to train and socialize the dog.

German showline dogs can have strong drives. And they can have plenty of pulling strength too. They are great for women and older people if they train them to walk nicely on a lead, if they take them out to various places, to the vet.

They can be too much dog for ANYONE who expects a dog to be a pretty decoration for the living room carpet.

And I think that goes for all the lines really.

[Von Jordan Haus Angels]

I breed and import German Showlines. Phenomenal conformation, temperment, obedience and tracking. Just because they are Showlines, doesn't mean they can't "Work." What a misconception and one that I love to prove wrong! My puppies have gone on to become Certifed Service Dogs for Autistic Children, Border Patrol K-9's and Narcotics Detection just to name a few. I like to say, "Once you have a GSD, you'll never want to be without one."

[Mrs.K]

If I would breed I would definitely stick to my parents working line. Gildo vom Koerbelbach, and the Baerenfang Line (Olko, Orli, Asra, Champ, Wotan...)

That is the line I am comfortable with, I grew up with and know in and out and simply know what to expect in those dogs. I know they are well balanced have the hunt and prey drive, hardness, strong nerv, food drive, velcro and want to please their handler.

Some of the most successful dogs in the world come from these lines which is why I am always looking for dogs that still have them in their pedigrees and follow their carrer.

Another line I go with is Orry vom Gehrenmoos/Utta von den jungen Hansen. He's got some pretty darn good progeny. Unfortunately Judge was his last litter, he died shortly after. However he's got healthy, highly prey, hunt driven, stable nerves, hardness, balanced drives, progeny.

[Emoore]

After visiting breeders, touring breeders, meeting with breeders and litters, I know that one thing I have absolutely no desire to be is a breeder. I don't want to deal with whelping, cleaning up after puppies, the agony of losing my bitch. I don't want to find out that a puppy I produced has been passed from home to home and is now in a shelter somewhere, having been completely ruined by a string of bad owners.

If I had the time to devote to multiple dogs and a place to keep them all I'd be fostering and re-homing rescue dogs.

[Ace952]

Originally Posted by Emoore

After visiting breeders, touring breeders, meeting with breeders and litters, I know that one thing I have absolutely no desire to be is a breeder. I don't want to deal with whelping, cleaning up after puppies, the agony of losing my bitch. I don't want to find out that a puppy I produced has been passed from home to home and is now in a shelter somewhere, having been completely ruined by a string of bad owners.

Well thank you Debbie Downer!!


lol...j/k
I can't blame ya.

[Emoore]

Originally Posted by Ace952

Well thank you Debbie Downer!!


lol...j/k
I can't blame ya.

I'm sorry I'm not trying to be a downer. Good breeders work HARD and really put their heart (not to mention ego) on the line. I don't think I could do it.