West German Showline or Highline GSDs Showing

This is Tala (showline) standing naturally.



When she trots she literally floats. Such a beautiful movement.

Do you think double handling to keep the dog alert in motion is an acceptable practice Dyane? I have no real views on it one way or the other, but just thought it was frowned upon by the KC (as SB concurred).

Oh gosh - where do you start. They work COMPLETELY differently. A GSD doesn't even "herd" in the sense that a BC herds, gathers, drives sheep etc. The GSD is more of a living boundary.

GSD herding dogs were/are used where large flocks (200 up to 1000 sheep) must be contained in relatively small grazing areas and kept out of unfenced neighbouring crop fields. The working style of the German shepherd herding dog consists primarily of boundary patrol, or flock containment. More like a "live fence" if you will. The type of sheep used in Germany are also of the large and heavy type (similar to UK Suffolks), not wild and flighty types you see esp in Northern England and Scottish Borders, such as Swaledales, Blackies etc.

I don't know if utube (I can't watch videos with no broadband!) has some footage of the Bundesleistungshüten and that might give you an insight into the way a GSD herds.

This article also goes some way to explaining the differences ...

http://members.cox.net/gsdherd/gsdstarting.htm

Yogi's movement is the same Irena - he looks to float effortlessly over the ground too.

Here he is stood naturally.

So they needed a ground covering stride to keep up the boundary day in day out? I find it fascinating re breeds original functions, it's all very well people saying "I prefer the straight backed GSD" but if they have a sloping back for a good historical reason then surely breeders today should be honouring that history?

Thanks for the link, I'll have a shufty later.

What lines is Yogi from? It would be interesting to see him naturally stood and stacked in the show style to see the difference in topline. Although I appreciate that wouldn't be easy!

I think some showlines are lovely looking (and have one myself)

But GSD's are a working breed and it bothers me that there is very little effort put into keeping the breeds working potential amongst the showlines..

This is a good example of some of the terrible breeding that goes on, breeding dogs with no working ability and poor nerves.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10-bn34-2fE&feature=player_embedded

Yep they need that tireless gait that can keep them moving all day. Kirchental are probably the most famous German herding dogs and their site is very interesting ...

http://www.kirschenbach.de/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1

I wouldn't have a clue how to stack Yogi in the show style but will give it a try and get a pic.

I do agree and in the future would like to see show dogs having to pass some sort of temperament and working test to be able to be shown and bred from. That would be the ideal anyway.

I can't wait to get broadband so I can watch such vids!

They have to be titled in Sch to breed in Germany but I believe the standard is very poor and having seen showlines working in Schutzhund there is a big difference between them and the working lines (in Italy anyway)

As someone who does not own the breed.

Here's how it looks from the 'outside'

You get a GSD from show lines only, your 'wrong'
You get a GSD from working lines only, your 'wrong'
You get a single coated/long coat GSD, your 'wrong'
You get a white GSD, well thats a 'wrong' too
You get a GSD from show lines but whom also are working towards some type of sport, your 'wrong' cos its show type..
You get a GSD from a 'hobby kennel' and your 'wrong'....cos you should be looking for X,Y,Z.

People involved in the breed hardly seem to agree on anything on the breed, so I can see how people (rightly or wrongly) just go 'what the heck, they are hip scored, lets go with them...' when buying.....

There are the antics at shows, they are different breeds/bred for different purposes so perhaps this isnt a fair example but abroad the dobes are also at the end of the lead, attracted to a ball outside the ring, yet refrain from it here, yet you hear about it here with all the 'spectators' moving around the ring etc getting attention....when it comes to GSD's.

I have seen some GSD's with the wobbly legs too that some have mentioned here.


I am not saying that the comments I have made here are how it is, but its just how it comes across as someone's POV from 'outside the breed'

i think just get thew type YOU like!!!!!

Exactly. Buy the type that suits YOU and what you want to do with it, if anything.

I would say there is a lot of truth in everything you have said above ... although the GSD people (in all spheres) seem to be VERY passionate about their own type.

If it were only that easy!

But finding that type can be easier said than done

Out of curiosity the youtube video that shows the GSD show lines doing Schutzhund, what was it trying to show (aside from the wobbling)?

I don't understand how Schutzhund is practiced or judged and I was wondering what was done right and what was done wrong. There was a lot of booing (especially the first dog?) or at least I think its booing, German is hard to understand XD And the comments below just left me even more confused. What were the dogs supposed to do to succeed?


ETA: My type is definitely the BBS/WSS <3 I love mellow/softer dogs.

Is it purely breeding though when even a nervous dog can be taught to walk to heel? (unlike these ones)

One dog was 'checked' three times before even beginning...

SB and Jodee will know but I think they generally should not be put off byu the stick and should have a good strong bite on the sleeve which should be a reward to the dog basically (like tug) haha and if I have that wrong I will get slated in a second

You are correct, I have not watched the video as I get very angry when ANY dog of ANY breed takes part in ANY discipline for which it is patently not suited.

well I do not see why these dogs would be in a 'public' competition that sounds quite rowdy etc when it was clearly too much for them :-?

So I am not saying it has nothing to do with breeding BUT also training because I dont know why you would do that :-?

They looked like they had been thrown out the puppy class and into the competition Ob ring (or Sch lol) if you know what I mean

None looked sure about what they were supposed to be doing.