What are good working lines known for 'handler sensitive' dogs?

Why do you want a handler sensitive dog?

Erm, that's not exactly my question, is it? <img src="http://www.leerburgkennels.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I've heard there are lines that can be hard on the helper and environment, but soft towards the handler.

I would consider my dog very "Handler Sensitive". He is very easy to work with, yet he is strong on the field. His mother was similar. You can study the pedigree if you wish at : http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/gsd/pedigree/5/472601.html

I think what you might actually 'want' would be a dog with high pack drive. Dogs with higher pack drive enjoy working 'with' a handler, like to work as a team, a willingness to please the handler etc. This does not necessarily mean they are 'soft or sensitive' dogs.

I look for a dog with good pack drive/biddability etc for my herding dogs. They are by no means 'soft or sensitive' though. They have no problem taking down a ewe or grabbing a large ram on the neck when needed. THey don't back down from the fight! They are also very strong in protection work.

Yeah, the word I was actually looking for might have been 'biddability', like I said, I don't mean 'environmentally soft'...I think it's more along the lines of the type of dog who'll watch your every movement and react to it, hence, 'sensitive' to handler. Which is actually not the type of dog I have right now. So I was wondering if it was possible to get that hard SOB attitude of his along with say, my Border Collie's awareness of my every movement, etcetera. I don't know how else to explain it. <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

That is what I thought you meant. My dog is totally focused on me, yet he is strong to the helper. Obedience in the Protection phase is real easy with him.

Yes, it is VERY possible. You will likley find what you want more in herding lines, lines that go back to Bernd/Bodo Lierberg (who from what I hear had a real love for the work, being team players and having genetic obedience). However, there are many other lines out there with these qualities as well.

I had a cattle dog breeder/trainer and herding judge say once, " I don't mind if my dogs are soft to people but they better not be soft on stock". What he was really referring to is this biddability/willingness to work along side a handler.

Border collies are often the classic example of a biddable dog. They have been bred for centuries to work along side man in thier job. German shepherds in the true herding heritage also did this but were also required to work quite independantly.

Ed talks about some of this in his herding aritcles/interview with Karl Fueller etc. In some ways we have 'lost' some of this genetic obedience, biddability, team work in our dogs. Some have bred for a much tougher "handler hard" dog as some say. I have bred twice to 2 dogs/lines that are known for this. However, my bitch that was bred to them is very biddable, has genetic obedience, enjoys working 'with' you. The pups have been a really nice balance! One is a certified explosive detection dog, her brother is a certified explosive's dog and is dual trained in security. He is awesome at his job(s). Another is in SchH and doing very well. His handler has some issues with stubborness (he LOVES the bitework) and outing but they are doing well. ANother is a hearing assistance dog/ Out of her second litter, 2 are now being trained for explosives. I have kept some for herding, another is with a conservation officer who will be training him for tracking, weapons detection and bear herding..should be interesting!

The male I kept from the one breeding is now 19 months old. He is very biddable, a TERRIFIC obedience dog (very attentive) and LOVES biteowork and has very good fight drive. I think he is a very good balance.

I would not take this female and breed her to a dog just like her as I think I would loose some of the 'total' package.