working line, showline..confused

6603 Views 41 Replies 25 Participants Last post by Chris Wild, Feb 28, 2008

VALIUM

Discussion Starter · Feb 25, 2008

Hi Guys. As I'm new to GSD world. I feel pretty confused about working line dog or show dog. For instance, If I'm looking for a good guard dog and a good companion, which line am I supposed to pick? What are these terms for? Like west german lines, checzh lines, east german lines, american lines, show lines. As fas as I understand, best companion dogs are showline dogs right, if I'm wrong please correct me. I know lots of GSD people extremely familiar with these terms, but people like me, new comers aren't I guess. Would someone help me to understand these terms and how these effect to pick a puppy? Thanks.

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tibvixie101

· #2 · Feb 25, 2008

Hi and Welcome to the Board!

Im no pro at the lines either, but from what i gather working line dogs are very high energy and have a lot of drive to work. These dogs can make great home companions but, like all GSD's require ALOT of excersise, mentally and physically. When trying to find a puppy that will best suit you and your needs, its best to talk to a few different breeders with different lines in their dogs. Ask them questions, and tell them what you plan to do with your pup when it grows up (home companion, SAR, Agility, Shultzhund, tracking, etc.) Most good, reputable breeders will help you in picking the right pup for you. Remember they want their pup to go to the best home possible as well, so if they ask you a lot of questions, they're not prying, they just want to make sure theire making a proper match. Im sure others will be able to chime in with differences on the exact lines and what their suitable for.

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zyppi

· #3 · Feb 25, 2008

You might start here.
http://www.shawlein.com/The_Standard/13_Breed_Type/Breed_Types.html

law1558

· #4 · Feb 25, 2008

I just asked this same question in the breeder section - the moderator (Chris - thanks!) posted this link that was a big help.

http://www.wildhauskennels.com/articles/gsdtypes.html

VALIUM

Discussion Starter · #5 · Feb 25, 2008

Thank u all.

Romance

· #6 · Feb 26, 2008

I refuse to sell my pups to anyone looking for guard dogs. I live in a province where the government bans entire breeds for being aggressive. My dog's temperments are not bred for guard work. I have show lines.

chruby

· #7 · Feb 26, 2008

Originally Posted By: VALIUMAs fas as I understand, best companion dogs are showline dogs right, if I'm wrong please correct me. I know lots of .

I disagree. The best companion dog is a well bred dog. I have working line GSD's and they are great companions as well as working dogs. With the working lines the priority is on temperament and conformation is secondary. Those are my priorities as well.

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Brightelf

· #8 · Feb 26, 2008

If you are new enough to not yet know differences in lines, don't make any choices yet. Research will take time, visits to clubs, obedience classes, trials, shows, groups and competitions of all kinds-- so you can meet the dogs in person, and decide what you DON'T want to live with.

Betty

· #9 · Feb 26, 2008

I have working line dogs and they make great companions!

TRITON

· #10 · Feb 26, 2008

Quote:The best companion dog is a well bred dog

Perfectly said Chris!

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Amaruq

· #11 · Feb 26, 2008

Originally Posted By: chruby

Originally Posted By: VALIUMAs fas as I understand, best companion dogs are showline dogs right, if I'm wrong please correct me. I know lots of .

Click to expand...

I disagree. The best companion dog is a well bred dog. I have working line GSD's and they are great companions as well as working dogs. With the working lines the priority is on temperament and conformation is secondary. Those are my priorities as well.

I have to disagree with PART of your post. I don't think workingline dogs are bred for structure secondarily (if that isnt a word it is now). To have a working dog the structure HAS to be correct. It might not win in the show ring BUT the dogs are still bred to have the correct structure to do the job that they were originally bred for which is herding sheep & protection work. They are not bred for the flying trot or to gait around a ring all day. They are bred to work all day and a dog with incorrect strucure is not going to be able to work all day.

But the rest I totally agree with.

<as I look at the 4 working dogs that are crashed around my living room as I get ready for work>

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chruby

· #12 · Feb 26, 2008

Originally Posted By: Amaruq

Originally Posted By: chruby

Originally Posted By: VALIUMAs fas as I understand, best companion dogs are showline dogs right, if I'm wrong please correct me. I know lots of .

Click to expand...

I disagree. The best companion dog is a well bred dog. I have working line GSD's and they are great companions as well as working dogs. With the working lines the priority is on temperament and conformation is secondary. Those are my priorities as well.

Click to expand...

I have to disagree with PART of your post. I don't think workingline dogs are bred for structure secondarily (if that isnt a word it is now). To have a working dog the structure HAS to be correct. It might not win in the show ring BUT the dogs are still bred to have the correct structure to do the job that they were originally bred for which is herding sheep & protection work. They are not bred for the flying trot or to gait around a ring all day. They are bred to work all day and a dog with incorrect strucure is not going to be able to work all day.

But the rest I totally agree with.

<as I look at the 4 working dogs that are crashed around my living room as I get ready for work>

Well if you go back and look at the "original" GSD when it was a new breed years ago, it sure looks different in conformation
than today's showline dogs. The working line dogs of today are closer in structure to the original GSD, IMHO.

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DancingCavy

· #13 · Feb 26, 2008

Originally Posted By: chrubyWell if you go back and look at the "original" GSD when it was a new breed years ago, it sure looks different in conformation
than today's showline dogs. The working line dogs of today are closer in structure to the original GSD, IMHO.

Ahhh but the GSD does have to be at least somewhat conformationally correct or else it wouldn't look like a GSD, would it?

No argument from me about how the GSD used to look and how it looks in the showring now. It's certainly changed a bit. Personally, I feel that has more to do with the judges' preferences rather than an actual change in the standard. Especially since the AKC and FCI standards vary little in writing.

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Amaruq

· #14 · Feb 27, 2008

Quote:Well if you go back and look at the "original" GSD when it was a new breed years ago, it sure looks different in conformation
than today's showline dogs. The working line dogs of today are closer in structure to the original GSD, IMHO.

I agree there too.

I personally think that working/ddr/czech lines look more like the original dogs than the show lines today. Butof course that is JMO and is not intended to be disrespectful to any show line people. We all have our preferences.

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wolfstraum

· #15 · Feb 27, 2008

"Form follows Function" - Frank Lloyd Wright

What is "correct"?? If the animal can physically stay sound and do what you want - then it is correct. There are differences in structure according to "type". I tend to call it what is in fashion rather than using the word correct.

Lee

chruby

· #16 · Feb 27, 2008

Originally Posted By: Wolfstraum"Form follows Function" - Frank Lloyd Wright

What is "correct"?? If the animal can physically stay sound and do what you want - then it is correct. There are differences in structure according to "type". I tend to call it what is in fashion rather than using the word correct.

Lee

Good point Lee.

What is in fashion, hmmmmm.....now I really don't think that is putting workability first......

Plus breeding what is in fashion is disqualifying LOTS of good working line dogs with decent conformation. JMHO

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Joker

· #17 · Feb 28, 2008

removed due to board violation.

Catu

· #18 · Feb 28, 2008

quote removed due to violation of board rules

Ditto

angelaw

· #19 · Feb 28, 2008

????

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greg dejanes

· #20 · Feb 28, 2008

If you plan to do Schutzund go 100% east german lines. Not American show lines. You can still have a good family dog. He will need attention and lots of activity.
German show or High lines can give you some decent working ability. Can be very good family campanions and still have the instinct and nerve to protect.
Am. lines are a risk. You may get weak nerves, very little working ability. It could still be a family pet though. May be better to get a Golden retriever.
You could get a mix of lines. My dog who is about 50% working lines 40 % German high lines and 10 % Am show lines seems to be a well rounded choice for me.
It is just my opinion and like you I am new with GSDs. I would NOT get an American showlines dog if you want a real German Shepherd Dog.

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