looking to the past - Page 2

Echo writes: "I'm not against working dogs, I'm not against Showline dogs, I like a combination of both lines balanced. Why is that such a bad thing ???" My response: It isn't a bad thing that you like that, not bad at all. I think the point I and many others have been trying to get acrossed, is that there would be less of a "difference" between the two types if those of us with show line dogs, bred more selectively. By selectively I mean breed dogs that have more ability, drive, and not so much to the dogs that stand on the podium. As the years go on and there are less and less show lines that can really really be tested and evaluated appropriately on a real trial field, we will continue to see the dog become a red and black retriever. I say that with a lot of saddness and a very heavy heart. I have been searching for nearly a year to find a good match for one of my females who will be bred this coming summer. Finding a show line male that has what I am looking for in regard to ability is becoming increasingly more difficult. I won't be looking at the sieger show for a stud...I will have to actually travel and see the working ability of these males. Her conformation is very good, and I have watched her dam and a sibling pass on the same conformation to their offspring, so I am more concerned with making sure that I add more drive, and working ability to her line. I really am not looking for a V or VA rated stud, I already have a V rated stud in my kennel. I want a stud that still continues to trial and hasn't gotten a 3 and gone to stud. From where I stand, and my experience, I see more folks breeding for another type of GSD. I just really want to see those of us who have show line dogs breed more ability back into the dog instead of finding a happy medium. History shows us that you never rise above a happy medium, but you will sink below it. Hats off to anyone who truly trains a show line dog, competes with them on a trial field, and continues to to increase ability! When all is said and done, it isn't so much the show card that we should be striving for, it is the true working ability that is evaluated and reflected in the scorebook.

Deeswolf, You have it! Thank you for understanding what it should be about and being able to explain it so well.

We need more showline breeders who think this way if, we are to save the showline and keep it a real GSD.

DeesWolf, Bravo! It is only the showlines that will save the showlines... by curbing the criteria to include a proper work attitude and also keeping health in mind. Some people believe that if they MIX the two lines they will create the golden middle... THIS IS NOT TRUE! If you mix a border collie (very dominant) and a husky (some are very insecure)... you are more likely to produce dogs that are basketcases than dogs that have the collies confidence and the huskies looks (or whatever it is you are aiming for). Since we are trying not to give the GSD a bad rep, it is up to us to not make crap in our attempt at producing something new... and if you mix two extremes you have to think about the worst pup they may make and if you can find those ones a permanent home! Also, just look at the wolfdog... when you cross two that are 50/50 F1s, you can theoretically get a pure wolf or pure dog as far as genes go... but you can't always tell by looks... again this would be an irresponsible way to breed the GSD because the puppy buyers would not know what they gets... sure some of the pups could have the best of the working and show world... but they leaves many that are unpredictable. Hope this helps. So like I said... the way to change the showline would be curbing the criteria... and the way to change the working would be the same. Notice I say curbing because a drastic shift would just make another line... you would want to change the mainstream line. Most importantly you would have to get enough breeders with the same goal in mind to actually make an impact. Best of luck in your breeding programs.

DeesWolf, PERFECT !!!! Good grief you should be a professional writer !! You just put into words what is in alot of our hearts around here. Thank You !! for being so encouraging :-)

Ditto here, good writing, and I believe that's why were are all on this site in the first place. or most of us> I stand corrected....