Curious about American Show Lines

[Gretchen]

There are two young males, American show lines in this GSD social group I see sometimes, ages 1 and almost 3. They do not have the severe sloping back (angulation?) that may be the stereotype of this GSD. One owner said the breeders are getting away from this. These GSD's are gorgeous with great temperament. They are tall, athletic, slightly slender (compared to my stocky working line girl) but sturdy, no aggression and not too excitable either, can seem to adapt to anyplace. So far the only down side to this line is that one owner felt her dog was not protective.

I have not been exposed to many American Show Lines, but if these two dogs are accurate representations, I would definitely consider getting one in the future. Are they ever considered for service dogs with this type of temperament?

[martemchik]

Well I'll be the first to chime in...

I think American Show Lines are fine dogs. The majority of the ones I have met have fine temperaments and can do a lot of things. They make great family pets as they GENERALLY have less drive than their German counterparts and act much more relaxed. I have watched many puppies that are able to settle down and sit/lay by their owner, where as I watch German puppies who won't relax and are constantly go-go-go.

I have also learned a lot about some lines, and due to indiscriminate breeding that focuses more on the look (for show) than the temperament, there are a lot of dogs out there that due to a Championship or a Grand Championship are being bred to anything and everything with puppies that aren't the most stable. I know "the stud" in my area produces puppies that are a little skittish (nothing major) and not the greatest workers in the world. They seem to mature faster, but that can also be part of the fact that their drive isn't the highest to start with so they act older at a younger age.

Just like in any line though, you'll have to do a lot of research to get a dog that can do service dog work. A working line dog might be way too driven for service dog work, where as an American might not have enough drive to work 8-10 hour days. There are plenty though that do have the drive, you'll just have to find them.

I train with 98% American lines at my club. I can definitely tell the difference in working ability. I think they're great dogs for families, older people, and others who don't want to have to work their dogs on a weekly basis in order to have a calmer dog in the house. Don't get me wrong...my boy has a good off switch, but if we go 3 days without some sort of large exercise he does tend to get a little stir crazy. We just started agility and the speed/efficiency/drive differences are very apparent in that venue (I'm comparing to the dogs I see at my club). But I also know there are breeders on here that do a lot of performance sports (andaka for one) and their dogs are very successful at them.

Like with all lines...its not about the overall label...its about the pedigree behind the dog you want. So look more into those than the ASL, WGSL, WL labels.

Wanted to add...my personal opinion on GSDs as service dogs is that the majority of the ones being bred today are not suited for such work. Be it ASL, WL, WGSL, there is a lot of risk associated with raising a puppy for service work, and if you just have one to choose for and train, a GSD has a lot more risk than some other breeds that have been shown to be better for that type of work.

[llombardo]

Originally Posted by Gretchen

There are two young males, American show lines in this GSD social group I see sometimes, ages 1 and almost 3. They do not have the severe sloping back (angulation?) that may be the stereotype of this GSD. One owner said the breeders are getting away from this. These GSD's are gorgeous with great temperament. They are tall, athletic, slightly slender (compared to my stocky working line girl) but sturdy, no aggression and not too excitable either, can seem to adapt to anyplace. So far the only down side to this line is that one owner felt her dog was not protective.

I have not been exposed to many American Show Lines, but if these two dogs are accurate representations, I would definitely consider getting one in the future. Are they ever considered for service dogs with this type of temperament?

Mine is at least half american show line and those dogs you described fits mine to a tee. I love her temperament. I was thinking about doing therapy work with her..she is good withpeople, especially kids. When mine barks I pay attention..she is very could at picking a threat from a non threat. She has a med to high drive and excels in everything she does. She loves agility. The day she walked into my house she acted like she owned it.

[Gretchen]

Thanks to you both for responding.

For years, out of ignorance, I thought I'd never want to have anything to do with this line. Mostly from living next door to one as a child, one with severe sloping rear end that was painful to watch as it walked. Over the last year I've still seen 2 like this at our training facility, but glad to learn breeders are getting away from this.

I still have a lot to learn about this breed!

[Andaka]

All of my service dogs (4) have been American show lines. Just like buying any dog for any other use you have to do your research and look at a lot of dogs.

Ch Andaka-Zederland's U R It CD RAE2

[robk]

A well bred dog is a well bred dog no matter what the line.

[llombardo]

Originally Posted by Andaka

All of my service dogs (4) have been American show lines. Just like buying any dog for any other use you have to do your research and look at a lot of dogs.

Ch Andaka-Zederland's U R It CD RAE2

I wanna teach my dogs how to take out the trash too

[jocoyn]

Originally Posted by llombardo

I wanna teach my dogs how to take out the trash too

LOL my dog knows how to empty the trash can. Is that a start?

[Courtney]

Originally Posted by robk

A well bred dog is a well bred dog no matter what the line.

Bingo! I agree

[llombardo]

Originally Posted by jocoyn

LOL my dog knows how to empty the trash can. Is that a start?

I had that vision with my oldest one taking the trash out..there would be no trash left by the time she got to the curb