DDR vs Working vs Showline - Page 2

Wow!  I did not mean to open a can of worms.  Sorry RG! 

Thanks GSDguy08!  I am just looking for information.  I do not want to make the same $1200.00 mistake.  Actually if you add the $400, it is a $1600.00 mistake. 

One question I stll have though.  Which has more hip problems, DDR, Working or Showlline?

Again sorry.

Don't be sorry, this is a place for information, and this is what you came here for. You have to decide for yourself what you like and what you can handle with a family. Talk to your local trainers, and breeders and then decide what you like. I have a good mix of DDR/Czech and he is more than a hand full in the house with the kids, but a firecracker on the field, so if I did not work him DAILY, or have a job for him I would have not gotten him. I might have purchased one of his siblings with lower drive. But I like his lines and I would have purchased from his breeding anyway.

Again best of luck finding your new family member, and dont forget to update us with pictures.

Showline GSD are just that...for show. They were bred for confirmation, bone structure, and color. Workability comes a distance second to this type of line. Some of these showline males are just freakin HUGE. I'm sure if you look around you may find some that have good drives but of course they are the exception rather then the norm.

djon- you have not seen MY showline bitch work.

It really depends on what you want the dog for....!!!!

I don't like to generalize because every line is different. The best place to start is to look at the parents and talk to the breeder. Be absolutely honest about what you want the dog for. It also depends on the puppy you pick.

If you have limited GSd experience, have young children, want a dog that can go for outdoor activities, resonably protective, can be trained to do basic obdience but you are not planning to do protection sports/agilityetc. then i suggest agerman showline or selected DDR lines. Go for the easy going pup, not the boldest and bravest one. West german working and czech might be too much to handle.

     I guess my boy Duke is an exception to the rule, He is EXCEPTIONALLY, High Drive. Looks damn good in HIGH GEAR also.

DDR vs Working vs Showline by AKVeronica60 on 01 December 2008 - 04:12

AKVeronica60 Posts: 894 Joined: Mon Sep 13, 2004 08:08 pm

There are high prey drive showlines, and low prey drive working lines.  You can't depend upon the stereotype of show being medium and low drive, and workingline high drive...you need to test them a bit in person, or ask the breeder to do it to establish what level the drives are at going-home-time.  Most working line litters I had in the past...before Athos...were normally 50% high prey drive-50% medium prey drive.  Athos, however, has changed those numbers to the high drive side. Veronica

     Couldn't agree more Veronica. The key to which dog is right for you depends on the DOG. Hopefully you can find a Breeder that is truthful with you. The pups care up until the point you get it also plats a big role in it. Has it been socialized, or crated, what was THAT PARTICULAR pup bred for.

     Most important, where do you live? PLEASE DO NOT GET A GERMAN SHEPHERD, from any line if you LIVE IN AN APARTMENT. They ALL need room to run. Depending on what you want your dog for, pet, work, or show, People on this board can direct you where you want to go (most of them anyway).

Kitkat, that is not true at all. There was a point when I rented a puny 1 bedroom townhome with no yard at all. My dogs ran next to a bike a few miles a day, and got plenty of daily training. I have many clients who live in condos with their GSDs and do just fine,  they just have to go the extra mile for their dog.  My yard now is not fenced, they don't get to run loose in it for hours.  Does that mean I shouldn't own them?

Don't get hung up in this whole Work vs show b/s. The most important thing to remember is that every dog you consider will have individual traits, this is where knowledgeable breeder will be able to assist you in selecting the right pup for your situation. There are show lines that are stubborn and driven almost just as work line, and there are work line that will make perfect pet just as show line. Check/ddr is more independent, but that dose not means they are not affectionate. My female loves to sit with me and watch TV, loves to play tug, and loves to work. My other females West working line, just loves the ball and everyone that will play with her lol. My past show line wouldn't care about any one but him self lol :) so if it's a specific look that you like, Google around and you will see the differences between all the lines, if its working ability than learn how to discriminate on individual basis, start by reading “How to be your dog’s best friend” they have good chapter on the different traits of each dog’s as well they will show you potential problems that you will face with your new dog, and how to solve it . I love work line, but I hate the over the top work lines, so I make sure that I select the more lay back pup out of the litter, as well I prefer check/ddr mix of bloodlines. I don’t like the over the top angulations in some of the show lines but there are show line breeders that don’t breed for that trait alone, so I will evaluate them on individual basis.  What is important to keep in mind is that you will need to make sure to give the dog enough activity so that he won't be destructive, some lines will need more stimulus than other. Don't think that work line don't make a good pets, as well don't think that show line can't make good working dog. Your interest and goals will be the first criteria that should direct you toward the right lines. Good luck if you need any other info just PM me.  

KCzaja,

     I do disagree. For most German Shepherds that go into apartment life, Don't have people out bike riding with them. Sure, there are plenty that do. My ONLY POINT BEING, IF you are not willing to that EVERYDAY with your dog, it is UNFAIR to the dog.(My point being made on the post about confrontation on dog walks).

     If I ever lived in an apartment with my boy Duke, That would be one of the most unfair things I could do to that dog. He goes out and runs for hours, EVERYDAY!!!! Plus I work him too, and he still has energy to spare.

     So whether you agree with me OR NOT, my opinion is my opinion and won't change. I believe,"If you don't have the room, DON'T GET THE DOG!"

If you want a "pet" then I would probably not look at any West German working lines OR Czech lines. They're normally very high drive dogs and will have a harder time transitioning to being a pet.

I have a WGR working bred male and he could live in the house if I forced him, but he hates it. He is VERY high drive, but his energy is controllable.

I have a Czech female that cannot be trusted inside a house. She would destroy the entire place if she was left alone for even 30 minutes. She is NOT high drive, but she has oodles of energy and is off the wall hyper. It really can get annoying considering she doesn't have the drives to actually DO anything.

I have a WGR working/show bred female that is the only one I would trust in the house. She is very low drive. She DOES have energy and is ball crazy, but that's about it. She's great in the house and can easily lie around all day at my feet without going stir crazy.

If it were me and I wanted a "pet" I would look into a low energy, low drive showline. Of course ALL dogs are individuals, but for the most part, working lines are just that - WORK DOGS and showlines are more easily transitioned into pets. JMHO