so humbling, please help!!

[jesetta_1980]

I'm not sure why I have such a hard time asking for help but here is the deal. I am looking for any information on different pedigrees, different lines ect. I have zero knowledge and I guess that's why it feels uncomfortable. I would however love to learn. When I got my boy, he just kinda landed in my lap at 13 weeks. He was being abused by my cousins husband and said she had til the weekend to get him out of the house or he would get rid of him in the woods himself. I had no idea what I was getting in to. I joined this forum and realized there is so much more to this then I ever imagined. Let me get to the point. Rav is from a puppy mill... I would like to add a 2nd dog in the next 2 years, but I want to make sure I take the time to do the research and actually have some knowledge about the differnent lines and such before I dare add another pup. Does anyone know the best place to get this info. I'm sorry this post is all over the place, for no reason at all I am nervous about asking

[Konotashi]

Kudos to you for looking into this so far ahead of time.

Have you tried Pedigree Database? Other than that, I'm of no help. I know pretty much nothing about pedigrees.

If you do a search, there are quite a few threads of showline dogs vs. working lines.

[Lucy Dog]

Originally Posted by jesetta_1980

Does anyone know the best place to get this info. I'm sorry this post is all over the place, for no reason at all I am nervous about asking

You're here.

Read, read more, and then read even more. And ask questions when you have some. There's endless information here.

[Konotashi]

Originally Posted by Lucy Dog

You're here.

Read, read more, and then read even more. And ask questions when you have some. There's endless information here.

I've been here for... wow, 2 years! Haha. I still don't have a GSD, but I learn new things daily from this forum and will be pretty well prepared for whenever I bring home my landshark.
Just stick around for a while, ask questions, and read, read, read!
Remember, the only stupid questions are the ones not asked.

[Castlemaid]

Here are a couple of links that were very helpful to me when I first joined the forum.

Article about the three main lines (American show, German show, and working line):
(Types of German Shepherds, by Wildhaus Kennels )

An illustrated guide to all the GSD types and sub-types (this was list that I kept going over and over and over when I first joined this site, and helped get familiar with terminology and physical looks of the different types).

Shawlein Fine Art & Purebred German Shepherd Dogs

[robk]

I think that you are doing the right thing by asking questions. Review the links that lucia posted then spend some time looking at the different pedigrees that people post here. It would also be helpful (if you have the time or interest) to visit some different dog organizations in person such as schutzhund clubs or GSDCA clubs and see the dogs for your self. It will help you understand why the different lines are different when you see them in person. Never be afraid to ask a question. Most people (who are knowledgeable) will speak at length about their dog and why they like that particular type of dog. Good luck and have fun! By the way, thank you for rescuing your current dog from a bad situation. As with many of us, our first experience with a German Shepherd is by accident but it becomes a gateway to a whole new obsession!

[jesetta_1980]

Thank you all so much for the helpful info, that's great!! Would anyone decline PM once I do some reading and have any unanswered questions?

[BlackGSD]

Most folks are fine with getting PMs. But it is really often better to post to the forum (unless you have a specific question for an individual. ) as you get a lot more insight, opinions, info, when you are dealing with multiple people.

There is absolutely no reason to be nervous about asking questions, that's what the board is for. Keep asking questions and pretty soon it will be no big deal.

[lhczth]

As robK posted, if you can, the best things would be to get out and around GSD. You can learn far more about dogs spending time with them than just reading about them. Get to dog shows, obedience and agility trials, go to SchH/IPO clubs and even just meet GSD in every day life. Then when you see dogs you like, or even those you don't, ask questions.

[Freestep]

Originally Posted by BlackGSD

Most folks are fine with getting PMs. But it is really often better to post to the forum (unless you have a specific question for an individual. ) as you get a lot more insight, opinions, info, when you are dealing with multiple people.

And the rest of us get to learn from it, as well!

The worst that can happen is that your question will be ignored, or some wise-apple will say "read a book" or "I know something, but I'm not going to tell you." Reading can indeed be helpful, but most books don't have information on dogs alive today. Going to a SchH club, if you have one nearby, is a great way to learn about that.

Sometimes discussing bloodlines will start arguments, which is why some people don't want to discuss it, I suppose... but that's not your fault, and I find that as much can be learned through argument as anything else!