Yes, I'm getting a showline GSD indeed. I am likewise aware that he may or may not be exceptional in Schutzhund (even though both sire and dam have ScH 3 titles). I'm just hoping for the best and have fun in the process. Got no plans on making him a personal protection dog: just a great-looking, well-trained and fit pal really :-) The Schutzhund training will really be for fun and bonding purposes and ofcourse for physical fitness (on the part of both the dog and myself!). If he gets a Schutzhund title, that'd be great, if not, I'd still go on with the training even a "social member" of the Schutzhund club 'coz I reckon it'd be fun for the both of us. Aside from joining him in Landesgruppen events, I also plan on showing him in FCI dog shows (again, if his "looks" will be up to it as he matures).

Hi John. I personally think there is something to be said for a nice quality German show line GSD who might likely have a temperament to handle "calm family pet" AND "first SchH dog" for you as a handler. Gary and I fell into that situation more by accident than by plan, but we are quite pleased with our results.

Like Angelique and Mike, and can easily see a working line dog in our future. But for now, the dogs we have are excellent for us to learn with, and easy for us to live with. And I'm NOT suggesting that working dogs can't / aren't the same in many cases. I'm just sharing what has been my positive experience as a newcomer to SchH with 2 show line dogs.

Suggestion - have you already decided on a SchH Club and trainer that you will be working with? It was invaluable to us to find trainers who are not "prejudiced" towards or against any particular breed or genetic lines. A good teaching helper who will work with YOUR dog regardless, and not "assume" it will be weak, or ___ (insert characteristic here)- just go by the dog, and your skill level - will give you and your dog the optimal training experience and success.

Enjoy!!

Beth

I love showlines, but when someone is looking for a pup and shows me a showline pedigree I want to make sure they know they are buying a showline before they buy the dog n go "aw crap you mean he's a showline?"

Yep! I'm from the Philippines and have got a prospective Schutzhund club to join already and have met the friendly members months ago, even though I'll just be getting my GSD this March. I've talked to the President and head trainier (he's German) and the members of the club and am honestly excited to get started (gotta wait a few months more till my pal matures a tad bit more). 'Tis good that the club is open to any Schutzhund enthusiast as we are a real minority here in the Philippines. I've seen the members' dogs and they all range from top German import showlines, German working lines to even a few Mals.

Quite lucky to have met a great breeder that I'd be getting my dog from too: a consistent producer of Philippine Siegers over the last decade...he's the one who encouraged me to join the club and is a good friend of Marjit Van Dorssen of the Von Arlett kennel, who frequents our local Sieger shows. I feel I'm off to a good start. Keep you guys posted with pics and the progress of my endeavor!

On another forum the question posed was of the showline studs, who produced better dogs for the sport and the overwhelming majority opinion was Ulk v Arlett.

John, I like your outlook on it , good luck .I think you'll have a great dog with a showline and lots of fun in your Schutzhund club.

Thanks guys. Susan, I think the reason they chose Ulk Von Arlett as a great producer of also great Schutzhund dogs (not just pretty dogs)is because his line's built is pretty much adept for Schutzhund, almost the same size as working lines: they are of compact size (much smaller than the other showline GSD's I've seen so far), very fast, extremely agile and most of all, have great drives. I've seen the sire of my pup during Schutzhund training and my was he damn fast and had amazing grip: a 5-3 Ulk Von Arlett linebred. He may not be as physically/aesthetically impressive as most of the big GSD's in the club but when he goes into his training mode, I've noticed the other members just stop and watch him in admiration. It dawned to me why Ulk made great schutzhund progenies.