Working line GSDs Working Dogs

Who has a working line bred GSD?

If you do, could post a pic (or pics) with the breeding of the dog.

I would also like to know how different they are to showline or obedience line etc shepherds in terms of energy levels etc. Also whether they would (in general) fit into a busy, active family household.

I have known a few working line GSDs over the years, but the majority have been police dogs, so I am looking for the experiences of people who have them simply as pets or sports dogs rather than working dogs.

I do, you have seen his pictuire which was on the pedigree database with his pedigree, titles and health checks.

MUCH higher energy, yes they do fit into a busy active household.

My dogs is a pet and sports dog.Totally social but very high drive and superb at both sports.

Thanks Smokey. Yes, I did see the pic of your boy, and he is stunning!

After spending the afternoon at the Border Union dog show I am not at all sure I now want to go down the route of getting a showline shepherd when the time comes :? I have always admired the working line dogs but wondered whether they may have a higher level of aggression (I have read a few scary stories of dogs with handler aggression). Having said that, the police dogs I have known have all had brilliant, rock steady temperaments.

Could you recommend any particular UK breeders? (PM if you prefer). Or even point me in the right direction regarding talking to the right people and viewing the right sort of dogs for my circumstances?

I will pm you.

All the GSDs I have had have been from the"working"(VPG)side, my first one back in 1958 was from the days when the show/working dogs were one & the same & the UK bred GSDs of the time were just awful(fear biters & just plain windy)

The last one I owned solely died in the 1990s & was from more modern working lines & had a temperament that was 150% the only time he showed"aggression"was in his protection work & even then once he had his reward(the sleeve)he switched off & became his normal horizontal self.

You know I think about, my friend, Petra's dogs in Germany, they have a lot of work drive, but impeccable temperaments & characters, they have to have as they are tested both at the Korung(Breed Survey)& in the VPG tests.

I know only a couple of VPG breeders here in the UK, I would need to know the dogs well before recommending anyone

Hi

Sorry to jump in, I cant help you I'm sorry Kirsty as you know I'm a novice, but how do I find out what sort of line my Diesel is?

*cough* Smokeybear *cough*

If you would like to tell me his KC name I can tell you, pm me if you like..........

Mind you I don't know EVERYTHING!

I thought you did!

Great thanks Smokeybear, I will PM it now.

Oooh I'm dead excited! xx

Thanks Dyane. Petra's dogs are stunning, and sound fabulous. Could you explain the Korung and VPG tests to me? Thanks.

I can tell you Diesel is West German showline.

VPG is just another term for the Schutzhund tests.

Korung is the suitability for breeding test which includes conformation and working ability test.

http://www.dvgamerica.com/whatis.html

Korung

A Körung is an event where breed survey/s are done. In order for a dog to try for a breed survey, it must minimally hold either a SchH 1 or an HGH title. It must also have completed the AD, the Ausdauerprüfung (a 12 mile endurance test) and have received at least a "G" (meaning Gut, in English "good") or better in a conformation show, and have hips and elbows cleared by one of the organizations that does this (the SV a stamp program, OFA in the US, and others in each country). When a dog passes a breed survey, which begins with a proscribed protection routine that it must pass first, then the Körmeister (a special certification held by only a few people) will use a specified form to fill out describing the dog. This report is known as a Kör report.

Not all GSDs have participated in a Körung, and just because one participates does not mean the dog will pass. If the dog fails the protection routine (*consisting of attack on handler out of the blind and the courage test, sometimes called the long bite), then the dog is immediately dismissed and must wait one year I think to try again. Once a dog has completed two breed surveys in the proper time frame, it is given the LEBENZEIT designation, meaning it need not ever do a breed survey again.

Two classifications may be awarded by the Körmeister when he/she performs this inspection. One is called KKL1 and the other KKL2. This abbreviation stands for Kör Klasse 1 or 2. Dogs awarded KKL1 are "recommended" for breeding, and dogs given the KKL2 designation are "suitable" for breeding. Often the difference between getting a KKL1 vs KKL2 is based on some minor fault, such as in dentition, or structure.

I would like to do one with my dog however, although he has a UK Breed Survey Class 1, a G in the British Sieger, holds a SchH2 title (VPG 3) and an AD, because his hips have been scored under the UK system he is not eligible.

I could have him x rayed again and the plates sent off, but this is very expensive and there is no real need for me to do this.

All SV registered dogs in Germany must pass the Korung before they are bred from, no Korung no registration of puppies. It is almost unknown in Germany for a litter of GSDs to be bred from parents that both have not passed their Korung-no one would buy them

Korung is a total breed survey-assessment against the breed standard by a qualified SV judge & also the protection ability is tested.

VPG is the correct name for Schutzhund tests

Haha! Thank you

x

If Diesel is not working line and cannot be shown due to his long coat either (apart from in the special long-coat shows) what is the point. I mean I only want him as a pet anyway so it makes no difference to me but is he basically bred for his looks??

Thanks SB - all very useful and interesting info

Thanks Dyane - the Korung sounds an excellent idea. I wonder why the UK dogs are tested in the same way prior to breeding?

There are many people in the obedience/working trial and pet worlds who prefer the longcoated GSD and I imagine that is the market longcoated breeders are aiming at.

You already know about my boy but any excuse to post pictures!

Kofi is a mix of West German working and DDR. He is 19 months old and everything I could ask for in a GSD.









Here is his breeding..

http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/german_shepherd_dog/dog.html?id=698776


I wouldn't say he is higher energy than Shilah (who admittedly is a highly strung nutcase!) but does have plenty of drive, what is more noticeable to me is how much more biddable and clear headed he is. He wants to work and he wants to please me. I would always have working line GSD's from now on.

nice looking dog, love the pic on the table, stunning scenery behind - good head on him

Yes they are bred for looks as many people prefer the longcoats, some people believe shortcoats are GSD/Alsation and longcoats are the other.

You will not find longcoated dogs deliberately bred for Schutzhund or the show ring although of course longcoats do crop up in normal coated litters.

Thank you. He is just starting to fill out a bit now after having been a scrawny teenager for a while!

Lovely looking GSD Scout75 - love the last pic