What I mean is imo ONLY to get the dog for the hobby Because then if the dog isnt interested in the actual hobby then there may be problems and also then the hobby becomes more important than the pet Personally I prefer to get a dog of a similar outlook to me then find what we both like to do together - so I like training and being active and offlead walks - so a greyhound or a huskey is off my lists I like agility but will try whatever makes the individual dog happy eta Especially getting a dog for a hobby you havent even tried yet. I have heard of people getting dogs to do agility with, sometimes the dogs are not fit to do agility, sometimes they just dont enjoy it, and sometimes the handlers are just not good enough for the dogs Many times it ends up OK but sometimes it ends up in a stressed angry resentful owner and a unhappy dog
I agree.... Millie was bought specifically for my hobby (showing), thats why I bought her, I wanted to show , so I bought the correct tool for that job... it worked out well for a while, but went bottom up after she was around 12/15 mths old.. She was I might add, always first and foremost a family pet, but she was bought with a purpose in mind.
For me, getting a WL wasn't really about taking part in a hobby or sport. I just wanted a GSD with steady nerve, and an outgoing and confident temperament. I do lots of exercise and my lifestyle is outdoorsy and active, so I already felt sure I could provide a good life for a working bred dog (after all, I have working bred collies). My concerns were more whether a working bred GSD would have very high prey and fight drives, which I may find more troublesome to control. However, after speaking to many WL GSD owners, the general consensus was that the more you build the drives, the stronger they get - if you don't do bitework (for example) but do put in the work with obedience training as well as general exercise and stimulation, then you should have a chilled out companion. That is precisely what I have :-D I would like to give working trials a go, and so am currently polishing up on Zak's obedience, so we can then join our nearest WT club. However, I am also confident that if we do not take part in WT or Schutzhund in the future, that Zak will not suddenly go loopy or bounce off the walls - as he is a very steady and sensible type of dog. I am also not saying that you cannot get showline or other types of GSDs with strong nerve and outgoing temps etc - as you can, but I was also attracted to the look of the worklines and I don't see a problem with preferring the look of a dog if you can also step up to the mark and provide for the temperament also.
I want another cc at some point, but I would rather breed my own than buy one in, and I didn't get what I wanted this time round. Will always have ccs but I want another breed too. Didn't say you were having a dig, it just seems that in gsds there is a split between the working and show lines, I happen to prefer working. Thanks Thank for the reply
I'd never get a dog just for a hobby. If you read my other posts is clear I want a larger dog, with higher energy levels and easier coat matinence, the hobby is just something I would like to try. If the dog or I didn't like it it wouldn't be an issue.
Yup I know, sorry wasnt aimed at you but at the thread in general. I think you are doing really good thinking and looking into things and when you pick your dog I know you will be the best home you can be for them
What part of my post made you think I disagree with any of that?? I said that if she wants to do Schutzhund she should NOT get a showline..
For DDR and Czech working line admirers, Nyrvana have just added a new page to their website all about these stunning dogs ... http://www.nyrvana.co.uk/nyrvananew_004.htm
ive just been reading that before i pm'ed you such beautiful dogs.. and those puppies!! im winning nana on the gsd front too, they are the one big dog she would have (she used to have them years ago, and she had one she used to show) then i showed her zak
The pups are gorgeous, but Damian the sire of one litter has a hipscore of 20/2. Surely that can't be a good thing? He also doesn't appear to be Haemophilia tested, or have I missed something?
havent looked that far into it, just being nosy at the minute, i know moobli did say that the site isnt always up to date, so tests could be done but results not on?