I've had American GSDs in the past and they were very obediant, but not aggressive enough. I'm sure most aren't as intelligent to the Real Working Lines from the simple selective breeding process.

Reading things on the board though makes me think that I will be dealing with quite a bit more energy if and when I get another one of these dogs again. I've obviously thought different traits would show stronger, but does the energy level go WAY up as well generally? What should the beginner to European GSD lines be ready for?

well, I can give you an example or two and let you come to your own conclusions....

My wife handles 2 bitches. The youngest (8mos old), Femke, she tries to wear out with a black kong while making her do obedience. She's a retrieving fool, so she has to do obedience then my wife throws it for her to retrieve. My wife's arm get's tired before Femke does, she will not stop, even when she's exhausted. Give her a 5min rest with water and she's recharged and ready to go again. My wife's other bitch, Kora (just over 3yrs old), she bikes her 3 to 5 miles, then does obedience, she claims that Kora has more energy and is more animated when she does this. As with Femke, she tries to let her burn off some energy by doing obedience for a toy reward or we do some bitework. It seems that Kora just does not run out of juice. These 2 are working line bitches that have the same dam (a daughter of Boomer Emsbogen & Afra Baumberg), Femke's sire is an Ico v Ardhaus son, and Kora's sire was a Belgian import (and she's linebred 4-4 on Harro ad Lechrainstadt).

Generally you see a higher energy level. However, each dog is an individual. One of my females is nonstop, I'd actually say she almost has nervous energy. My older one has enough for the sport, yet is calm overall, happy to lay around in the house. My young male has energy and stamina when working but is also calm in the crate ( unless he hears the sounds of the protection phase *G*). For the most part, however, I have found that when the dogs are in the house ( they live in the kennel and get house time) they generally settle down and relax.

Sue