Hi Folks,

Im looking for a breeder WGSL or ASL(stock short coat b and r or b and tan). Im interested in therapy, ipo and possible SAR work. I work with children in a therapeutic school setting and summer camp. My beloved GSD passed last year(at 12 yo) andI am ready to get a new pup. My previous dog was pretty much perfect except some fear aggression he had that i had to work really hard to stabilize. That being said no dog or human is perfect and that is the pleasure of developing a human canine bond of communication and training. I am on the waiting list since last year from a breeder but the breeding i was interested in didnt have enough males. I was 3rd on the waiting list and the litter only produced 2 males. The breeder Im interested in doesnt have any litters im currently interested in so I am expanding my options( hoping for a pup in spring or summer). Does anyone have breeders they would recommend? if so why? I am willing to travel to meet breeder and dam and sire. I would prefer a breeder in Cal,Washington, Arizona, Oregon, Idaho, Nevada area if possible. I would be willing to expand my search for the right dog....( in fact I have family that lives in Germany)....any help would be greatly appreciated for this lifetime commitment that I take very seriously. Thanks in advance. Please PM me so as not to advertise on leerburg( it goes against Ed's rules)

I can't answer your question but why are you looking for a show line dog?

My now passed working line was the most versatile dog I've owned in the past 60+ yrs of owning many dogs.

I do believe the working line dogs, on average have a much more solid temperament then the SLs.

My older one was titled in a number of venues and had a fantastic temperament with kids.

We were involved in SAR, AKC obedience, Schutzhund III, AKC Herding, ATTS TT and CGC.

The only reason I never did therapy was he was a constant shedder and we probably would have gotten kicked out of the hospitals.

I do believe you will see more "fear aggression" in the show lines for the simple reason that they are bred more for the perfect look then temperament.

I would "never" own an American show line. JMHO of course

Hi Bob,

Thanks so much for your reply. Im not opposed to a working line its just that wgsl is what I know and have been raised with as a kid and had as an adult( my Moms from Germany). Lots of folks have told me that WL are not necessarily more driven and in fact can be calmer and have cleaner on and off switches. Sounds like I need to meet more working line dogs and talk to folks at my local club( and get more involved)
Thank you, your insight and opinion is much appreciated.

Working lines should be bred for more character of the breed and that means having a clear head on their shoulders among other things.

I think you'll be amazed at how versatile the WLs can be simply because they are bred for that and not just for looks.

I have only one WL GSD now but one that I had to put down over a year ago at 12 1/2 was a serious dog yet very clear headed and great with kids and adults.

Multiple titles in different venues and as a SAR dog we did many visits and demos at Scout groups, schools, etc.

AKC OB titles, Schutzhund III, stock herding, ATTS TT, CGC

Kids loved him and he returned that in spades.

Like any breeding there will be puppies of different temperaments in every litter.

IF I were to get a show line it would definitely be a WG show line over the American Show lines.

No doubt there are good and bad in both working and show but I think the odds are in your favor with a good working line dog.

JMHO of course!

Give them a look!