Quote: Angelique Cadogan

Judy your dogs sound like he has a good temperament and many others do as well.Over all yes, I like the working line but when a good showline shows a good temperament, I think that's a plus in any dogs,show or work

Thanks Angelique, you always have my back!

I would agree there are some showlines that can work, but they are German lines, not American Showline Shepherds. ASS's are couch potatoes wearing really bad GSD suits.

k, generally I do believe that the american showline dog is lacking in drive (not just prey ), really lacking in working conformation and most importantly lacks good nerves. But, it does bug me when they are compared to the german showline as being the 'bottom of the barrel'. I have worked 100's of gsd's (from all lines) and I have seen many german showline that are 'worse' representives of the gsd than some of the american showline in all the above! There are some good german showline but there are also some real crap ones. If breeders of this line do not start looking more seriously at the work ethic, drives and nerves of these lines they will be in the same trouble the american showline is before long. I have seen some very nice american showline (usually still not great in conformation) but thier work ethic is pretty good. I owned /bred and trained one. She is also Canada's No. 1 High in Trial herding gsd. I doubt any gsd will ever break her record for wins, high in trials and scores in the herding feild. She was one TOUGH bitch!!! When I started with her and took her for training/lessons EVERY experienced trainer told me to start with an eassier dog. She had super strong nerves and could take any kind of pressure put on her. She was very driven, had NO problem moving ANY stock, looked like german working line in her conformation and saved my life once by taking down a large ram that came after me when I was fixing a fence. Grabbed his face and stopped him dead in his tracks. Was she the exception in the 'lines'. Generally speaking yes, that is why I no longer have /breed or own these lines. Never bred her as I doubted she would produce herself. However, she was one fine example of the breed.

To get the consistency I want/need for my working dogs I do go the working lines (HGH, SchH etc). But, there will always be exceptions to all the lines for the 'individual' dog. That includes finding good working dogs amoung the german showlines.

So, I also agree that there are some showlines that can work and you may find them in the german showline and you may find them in the american showline. If one wants consistency in good strong work ethics you likley have to look more at the working lines.

One needs to look at consistency, not one exception. Why try to find the needle in the haystack? I say have fun with your new dog & don't worry about the lines since there is nothing you can do to change them.

Interesting thread for me. I will add that my GSD is from both American and German showlines. Eventually I'll add a pic of us on the sig line so you can judge for yourself but many people think he looks more German than anything. Whether his "looks" matter regarding how much of each is in his line, I don't know.

Regarding his work ethic, this is where he is, let's say, complicated...in the heat, he's horrendous. He HATES the heat. Like nothing I've ever seen. In the snow, I'd compare him to any one of the working lines though. I can't tire him out for the life of me when it's below 35 degrees.

I forgot, his temperament is outstanding. Cool as a cucumber in any scenario.

ummm, maybe I have no brain today, but how do you go about posting pictures? I see here in the toolbar, yet it goes to a http:/ looks like it wants a address... can you search on your Hard Drive and Download it from there...

Brainless today.... one of them days.


Also, everyone keeps saying, enjoy whatever line I have... Of course... there is no question about that... American or German I will love him as if he were a million bucks... but I just thought that it would be good to know some history.

I'll get a pic up when someone can hold my hand and explain how the heck to post one here.

Dumb in Texas.

kk

OK Kelly no brain, J/K
If you go to photobuckets.com you can upload photos and then they have system that allows you to re-size your photos as well, it's free and easy to use.I am not a computer wiz and I figured it out(after a while hehee) but really it's easy try it

Totally agree Angelique! http://www.photobucket.com is definately the way to go working with photos. In fact, I've had an account there for a while, but am just now getting into some of the album stuff.

When I went to resize this "signature" photo, it was so easy, as over to the left, they have a topic header (like what you want to use the pic for) above the appropriate URL link to use. Very cool.

Now Kelly, check it out so we can see your dog!!! Love to see photos.

 Quote: Kelly Kovar

ummm, maybe I have no brain today, but how do you go about posting pictures? I see here in the toolbar, yet it goes to a http:/ looks like it wants a address... can you search on your Hard Drive and Download it from there...

Brainless today.... one of them days.


Also, everyone keeps saying, enjoy whatever line I have... Of course... there is no question about that... American or German I will love him as if he were a million bucks... but I just thought that it would be good to know some history.

I'll get a pic up when someone can hold my hand and explain how the heck to post one here.

Dumb in Texas.

kk

Kelly, congrats on your dog!! Love and learn, and enjoy your life journey!! (I'll call myself Dumb in IL, because I haven't figured out how to post pics yet either!)

Shelley, I really enjoyed your post!

Beth

Michelle,I love that photo!