Workline GSD as a pet Working Dogs

I wonder whether we will see many more workline GSDs as pets in the average pet home in the future.

Since owning Zak, I have been stopped quite a number of times by people wanting to ask about him, what "type" of GSD he was, a few have commented on his "straight back" (although he hasn't actually got one ;-) ), and wanting to know where he came from.

You don't see many working GSDs as companions around here - ie just going for walks, chasing a ball on the beach etc, and so he is causing quite a bit of interest wherever we go

I have to admit I have fell in love with them and most probably will be my next dog (hopefully in the next year or so)

I am wondering if any of it has to do with colour as the WL have a tendency to be sable(my fav) and I can remember when at one time (many years ago) sable was not popular and everyone wanted Blk/G.........so is it the colour that peolpe are interested in?

You may be right as I have been stopped many many times over the 7 years I have owned mine, to enquire if he is a GSD, GSD X etc (because he is grey).

Although many people are of course attracted to his devastating good looks and superb head!

However there are a lot of WL GSD already in pet homes as the drive varies within lines and litters. The very high drive ones are generally not sold to pet homes in the first place or are very soon returned.........

I first knew "proper" workline GSDs about 15 years ago when I met a police dog handler who had Stuart Nye bred police dogs. They were cracking dogs - but not my taste back then. (Funny how your taste in various things changes over the years ) Anyway, they were high energy, high drive, exceptionally well trained and I always thought they would be too much in a pet home - despite Steve telling me that a home like mine would be absolutely fine for them, as I do plenty with my dogs.

I rarely saw any other distinguishable workline shepherds apart from other police dogs and at PD Trials we attended.

When I moved to Scotland five years ago, I met a couple of people through Dogsey who had workline GSDs - one is a police dog handler and the other competes in trials. I fell in love with both of their dogs and started to consider a workline - although was still slightly swayed by well bred longcoats (which I also adore ). I was still quite apprehensive about certain aspects of owning a working shepherd and probably was right up until Zak had arrived and settled in. I am pleased to say though that I am over the moon with him and am so pleased I decided to get him

I would now heartily recommend a working line shepherd for active pet owners who feel they could cope with one. It goes without saying that I would also strongly advise people to research lines and to ensure any workline they got was suitable for their lifestyle.

Yes I definitely think the colour is what first stands out, certainly with my own dog anyway, and it is probably the first thing that most people comment on.

There also seems to be a real dislike about the perceived "sloped/banana/crippled" back of the GSD show type dog from some of the comments I have had. I wonder how much of this has come about after the Pedigree Dogs Exposed programme. I also think that many people have never seen a show dog stacked outside of the show ring on TV(why would you have ) and actually don't realise that the back only looks like that in a stacked pose for a show. No-one has actually said that Yogi has a sloped/banana/crippled back - although perhaps they are just trying to be polite ;-)

Anyway, to get back to the original point, yes Jeanette I do think that the sable colour pattern 016: ) really makes that type of workline stand out.

I have been asked twice if Zak is a Malinois Just goes to show that Malis must be a bit more popular these days, as a few years ago many people wouldn't even know what a Malinois is

We need to see evidence of these devastating good looks and superb head I know you don't take photos, but do you have any taken by anyone else?

I haven't heard of that many WL in pet homes and thought this was generally because the WLs are (or at least were) advertised in specialist places rather than in a more general way and unless you were specifically looking for a WL you wouldn't necessarily stumble across them iykwim.

If I was to get a GSD it would probably be a working line GSD, I just prefer dogs bred for health and temperament over looks - looks are an added bonus to me

Any chance of you considering a GSD in the future Azz?

If I was to get one, it would be to "do" something with, maybe Schutzhund or maybe just stick to Agility if I enjoy it enough with Copper. We certainly have the space and time here (if not the expertise, yet) for one, but it's a daunting idea I have to admit!

I would love to meet Zak one day

I agree!

That is just it. To me, active pet homes usually mean that something will be done with the dog - ie agility, loads of long walks etc.

You MUST meet Zak .... you would love him Are you ever over this way?

http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/german_shepherd_dog/dog.html?id=515728

Seen that one before Need other pics!

Yes - I love GSDs

If I could find a smaller GSD some time in the future I could be persuaded

im just glad they are becoming more popular. it gives us a chance to move away from that terrible rear end, on the poor show dogs. just hope they dont ruin too many working line. ps ZAK looks incredible. he'll be sound.

Why a smaller one?

I don't like some of the extremes seen in the show ring either, although there are also some really lovely (and healthy) showline dogs too.

A chap on the beach at the weekend said that as Zak had a nice "straight back" then he wouldn't have hip problems! Of course I hope he doesn't have hip problems, but unfortunately HD is in both show and working lines and has nothing to do with the so-called roach back seen in some show dogs.

Thanks for your comments about Zak - he is turning into a really cracking lad

Really pleased Zak is everything what you waned You've certainly waited a long time for him! lol

I don't think I've ever seen one, apart from police dogs. I know you said you don't see many around there in pet homes, but are there any in pet homes? I wouldn't know where to look but I've never seen any advertised. Bit likeing working setters. You don't see many of those but I wouldn't have one if I didn't work one, whereas, I would (and always will), have a springer and gwp.

Helen

I am definitely pleased with him ... over the moon actually His worst crimes consist of retrieving a toilet roll at every opportunity , chewing one corner off my duvet cover and .... erm, that is about it so far. Not bad for a 9 month old dog who has spent his previous 8 months in a kennel environment He is playful, keen and drivey but not OTT. He is absolutely fantastic with the children and is great with other dogs. He has shown little interest in chasing sheep and was curious enough to get up on the wall and be nose to nose with one of the horses - but without any sign of fear or aggression. Our bond is growing day by day

I think there will be some working GSDs in pet homes, but not many in comparison to showline or pet bred types. Obviously on the Schutzhund field and in police service throughout the country, these worklines are now the norm, but whereas working springers and working collies seem to make up the majority of types in pet homes, workline shepherds are harder to get hold of and, as yet, are not churned out like some of the other working breeds.

As you say, you rarely see working setters in pet homes (also working English pointers) and yet their show line counterparts are numerous. Is this because the GP aren't keen on the look/temperament/drive of these working types or is it that they are just harder to get hold or, and aren't in the "public eye" as much as the showline. The drive and energy in your average working springer or border collie doesn't seem to put the GP off :?