Went to first show to watch yesterday in OH, WHY

[LuvourGSDs]

don't they show the German line & why is it always all American ?

~Thanks~

[sleachy]

Did you go to an AKC show?

[msm10301]

Our family went to an AKC show here in the Detroit area this fall. We left after about 30 minutes, being thoroughly unimpressed with the dogs. I may be stepping on some toes here, but the way these GSD's walked and acted made me cringe. It was the type of show where they prance the dogs around the ring and a judge rates them on different aspects. I would much rather watch GSD's do what they were originally bred for WORK!!

[LuvourGSDs]

Yep & no German showlines ? Our boy is a German showline & just like the looks of him better than the American (sorry). I seen major slant, floppy feet & hips, little heads, with long thin noses.

Just love the big blocky heads & bodies of the German line.

[mkennels]

yep it is the judges, I have american for I show in that, but I also have a west german show/american show (half/half) and the judges like her in UKC I have seen more and more germans being shown and they are doing most of the winning

[trudy]

Isn't it funny you went to an AKC show and found American show lines? I wonder if I went to a shutzhund trial if I'd find vicious biting German Shepherds. I think the bashing of American show lines should be taken down a notch. The owners of these dogs love their dogs and aren't ruining the breed. They do health checks, feed correctly and vet them as needed. This is a German Shepherd forum and just like we don't bash shelter dogs I think its time to be nice to all. Now that I have your attention I do NOT believe all attack trained dogs are vicious, I realize most are playing with the sleeve and only a few are actually vicious. But I love my show line dog and whether he makes it in the show ring or not I will love him and do the best with and for him.

[EJQ]

Well, in general German bred dogs do not do well in AKC shows. Believe me we know! Been there done that!!
I'm not sure that the AKC judges have ever seen anything but the typical GSD American Show lines.The majority of them probably have never seen a Seiger Show.

[Castlemaid]

Dear trudy:

Why would anyone bash a shelter dog? Never seen it done, never heard of it done. Shelter dogs end up in the shelter due to irresponsible breeders and irresponsible owners. Has nothing to do with the shelter, nor the dog.

Quote:Now that I have your attention I do NOT believe all attack trained dogs are vicious, I realize most are playing with the sleeve and only a few are actually vicious.

thanks! That made my day! I can guarantee you that a level-headed, strong-nerved, properly-trained GSD of the correct temperament is neither "playing" with the sleeve, nor is it vicious.

My shelter dog, who does Schutzhund, can attest to that! (and she is far from "playing", and not "vicious" in the least)!

[trudy]

Castlemaid: My comments were to show the inflamatory comments being used to discuss American show lines. I do not agree with what I said just trying to make a point. I love my boy and girl as much as anyone else adn Iam positive other show line folks do too. All I was tryiing to say was when you go to a show site that is for AKC then you shouldn't be surprised to see them there. If you don't like them then don't go or show some nice comments. I often feel that people here look on our dogs as inferior when they are not, they just may not do what you want but will do what we want. And they will work with what we want. Now I am not trying to start an argument but an open discussion.

[Castlemaid]

I wasn't commenting on American Showlines, nor other people's opinions of them.

I was commenting on YOUR uninformed opinion of dogs trained in bite-work.

Apples and oranges.