Which (blood)line would you recommend?

[elisabeth_00117]

I was talking to a friend and a fellow German Shepherd enthusiast about bloodlines and traits that I was looking for in my next puppy/dog. I have a folder with information and lists with examples of what I am looking for. I read off the list of traits and he had a totally different recommendation for me that the route I was going based on what I am looking into. I find it quite hilarious that two people can have totally different perspectives based on the same information. This person has been around German Shepherds for a long time and has trained with them for a while too.

I thought it would be fun to see what lines (Czech, WG, DDR, WG Showline, Am./Can. Showline, etc.) YOU would recommend to me based on my research. Some of you already know what I am looking into so try not to give it away for the others ‘playing’. In a day or so I will reveal my preference and the recommendation of my friend.

1. Strong nerved
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2. High thresholds
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3. Toy motivated
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4. Food motivated
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5. Biddable
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6. Clear headed
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7. Motivated to work/Eagerness to work
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8. Not *too* prey driven
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9. Smaller sized
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10. Able to work in multiple avenues such as SchH (main goal), agility and possibly confirmation.


These are the few things that are most important to me. I can elaborate on each if you wish but I thought this would give people an idea as to what I am looking for.

Okay, let the guessing begin!

[BlackthornGSD]

Argh! I just tried to vote for W. German working line and it gave the vote to W. German show line. *sigh*

[sagelfn]

I know what you've been leaning towards so I won't vote. I am guessing your friend suggested ****edited out***

Oops! saying that would give away one thing you were not looking into and ruin the fun for some people Sorry

[Jessiewessie99]

I put DDR, because I think they might have what you are looking for. =)

[JKlatsky]

I would pick a more moderate pup in a West German Working line litter. About the only qualifications my West German dogs didn't match was the high threshold in prey. I would say that mine tended to have a lower threshold in prey...however that made the need for early drive building activities almost non-existent. It was easier to focus early on impulse control without ever being concerned about squashing the drive. My 66lb male is a dream to train and I'm planning on starting agility this summer with him.

Although I imagine what you want to find can be found in any dog and it will depend ALOT on what is being produced at the breeders you are looking at rather than the actual lines.

Sounds to me like what you want to avoid is a Sharp dog.

[onyx'girl]

I would go with a W/German/Czech cross, if the pairing was compatible. Look at the female first for the criteria above, then the males attributes.
My WG/Cz x is exactly what you posted, except for.... #9 and #10 (size )

[selzer]

I said West German Showline.

My little Odessa has an awesome toy drive, is VERY biddible, has a schutzhund title, has great nerves, good with people, I do not think too much prey drive. She is simply perfect. I can show her too if I want.

[GSD07]

If your goal is SchH and you are not very experienced then nicely balanced West German Working lines. I answered DDR (surprise, surprise ) but then I saw SchH as a main goal.

[Jason L]

Moderate, nicely balanced West German WL like Jklatsky and Oksana said.

[sagelfn]

Originally Posted by Jason L

Moderate, nicely balanced West German WL like Jklatsky and Oksana said.

Jason I've been meaning to ask, what is Ike? I'm thinking WGWL but can't remember