My sister wants to buy a German Shepherd puppy. She's not interested in competition, only looking for an active companion. Would you recommend a German show line or a pet quality German working line dog? And why? If you recommend a German show line, which lines are known for producing solid nerves? Thank you very much!

Originally posted by Jackie Mulligan:
My sister wants to buy a German Shepherd puppy. She's not interested in competition, only looking for an active companion. Would you recommend a German show line or a pet quality German working line dog? And why? If you recommend a German show line, which lines are known for producing solid nerves? Thank you very much! Jackie,

For sure its working line hands down. Reason being it is bred for solid nerve, great temprements and drives to please, these are all that aq great companion dog must have. Shows are just made to look pretty to a so called standard. You are bound not to go too wrong with a proven working line in the long run. Just do a bit of puppy testing before buying.

Jackie,
First off, I'd educate you sister about the term "German lines" - I see this term throw around waaay to often by unscrupulous AKC breeders, as the AKC meaning for "German lines" often translates into " The breed originated in Germany, and my scury bitch had ancestors there about 30 generations ago"

A popular trick with AKC Show breeder's is to hang hundreds of puppy *match* ribbons all over their house to impress would-be buyers. But winning a puppy match is *meaningless* - however, the would-be buyer doesn't know that .

The AKC definition of a match is:
(taken from the AKC website)
Section 9. A sanctioned match is an informal meeting at which pure-
bred dogs may compete but not for championship points, held by a club
or association whether or not a member of The American Kennel Club by
obtaining the sanction of The American Kennel Club.

Notice the words "informal meeting" You or I are fully
qualified to judge a match.

Section 4. Judges' Eligibility. Anyone in good standing with The
American Kennel Club may be approved to judge at a Sanctioned Match.

*Anyone*.....*snicker

It's funny, there is this *BIG* name AKC guy who posts all over the web, he's considered a prominent dog authority by people that don't really research other people's bogus claims. This so-called authority has a huge website, and even lists his dog training resume on it. He lists that he's an AKC judge, but when you check him out at the AKC website, he's listed as a *provisional* judge. Now that's not the same thing now, is it? He then goes on to list "judging at puppy matches" as part of his qualifications - and the uninformed don't realize that it's just a scam to look important.
Oh yeah, the same breeder/ judge awards himself phony Military titles to impress people also. :rolleyes:

Tell your sister to buy an import GSD, or a puppy out of first generation stock that's here, but being shown by SchH competitor's - they'll often have lower drive puppies that'd make great companion dogs. And your sister will avoid the hassle, lies, and heartache that come from dealing with *most* AKC breeders.

I would never consider recommending AKC lines to my sister, under any circumstances! And I've been busy educating her about German lines, the SV guidelines, temperament, drives, etc. She likes my dog (working lines), just doesn't want (or need) one with such high drives. I was leaning towards a pet quality pup from working lines, but wanted a couple of opinions.

Thanks!

A dog from good West German show lines should be perfectly all right as a companion.

as long as you wanted oversized, almost no saddle or mask...right Renee? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

actually, a well bred dog from a good breeder (regardless of lines) should be able to adapt to either a working environment or an active pet home with an experienced owner. I know that's a lot of "ifs" seeing as there are some that concentrate so much on sport that the dogs are over-wired, and those that concentrate so much on conformation that the dog is a wreck everywhere else....but it is possible to find.

Good advice from everyone.

In my eyes, it comes down to the breeder. If you are importing, find someone who has experience with good breeders from Europe and who can evaluate and choose the right puppy for you. Preferably, find someone who has imported and titled/worked the dogs from these kennels so that they know their health and temperment risks.

If you buy in the US, again, find a breeder that titles/works their own dogs so that they know their dogs health and temperment issues and will be able to find the right dog for you. There are a lot of breeders in the US that raise German line dogs, but don't title them. In some cases, it's simply that they work them in different disciplines, but in other cases, they are just using the German name to sell pups. Don't deal with the latter group - if they can't be bothered to work/know their own dogs, they probably can't be bothered to support you if something goes wrong with the pup they sell to you.

As for Working/Show lines - if they are both from Germany and from a good kennel, the main issue will be evaluating and picking the right pup for you. There are some lines in both show and working that I would stay away from. "Meet the parents" or have someone you trust meet and evaluate them and their pedigrees and look for stable, balanced drive dogs that will adjust well to a calmer living arrangement.

Good luck!

Jackie Mulligan, unless your sister has raised a puppy before, and is experienced with training, and has a good trainer/obedience instructor in mind, I disagree with her gettting a GSD at all. Well, maybe unless it's an older dog that she's met and it's obvious she can handle.

I found my GSD MUCH more of a handful to raise and train than my first dog (a Lab). As in no comparison. The very things that make my GSD so wonderful, high energy and intelligence, were EXACTLY what made her take tons more time and effort and assistance from my trainer. And I don't know what I would have done if I didn't have that resource to turn to on a consistant basis the first year or so. Added to the fact these dogs are large so can easily accidentally cause problems if your sister hasn't had herself go thru the proper training and classes with the dog.

I love my GSD. When I get my next pup it will be a GSD. But I do NOT recommend or suggest them to most of my friends when they say 'I love your dog how can I get one like that'. Because the answer is, you can't. You may have the same lines, but unless you are able to also provide the needed socialization (and know what that is), training (and know the proper way to do it) and how darn smart these dogs are along with the HIGH levels of execise some of these dogs need thru out the week, you will end up with an animal that is a burden and a problem. Rather than a loved member of the family.

Now a rescue greyhound, that's a good first time dog for ANYONE!

And if she's got a experience and background in dog training, then you can ignore my entire posting.

A dog from good European working lines should be perfectly all right as a companion.


A good number of American breeders produce really nice PETS from their Euro working imports. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

 Quote:

Originally posted by VanCamp Robert:
A good number of American breeders produce really nice PETS from their Euro working imports. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Say it ain't so!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />