Looking for GSD Pup: Am or Germ?

Xeph!! <333333

I thought you liked a mixture between the American and German lines? >O.o<

Xeph-
 
Have you tried conformation?  Call me a chicken, but there are some breeds I'd never owner-handle in the conformation ring myself.  Poodles, labs, GSD's being at the top of the list.  Personally I'd forgo that and look for a softer dog out of working lines.  If you're really competitive, you're not going to be too happy with doing AKC conformation with a working style GSD.  (At least I don't think so; maybe Glenda can help?)  I'd also look into UKC and international conformation shows with a more European style GSD.

You could always go to a show and ask some of the people about their dogs.  See what is more popular, american or german lines, maybe you can even ask them about breeders, and find a good, reputable breeder to get a pup from.

Boy that`s a tuff decision.  1-a well bred and structured dog that can perform like Max had desired with the drive and spirit to work all day and the temperament to be a great companion .  or 2- the dog the AKC people have decided is the standard. hummmmmmmmm tuff choice . I pick 1,
 
"The breeding of shepherd dogs is the breeding of working dogs; and this must always be the aim, or we shall cease to produce shepherd dogs."
-Max von Stephanitz
 
Max von Stephanitz's last words to his good friend Muller on his deathbed,
"Take this trouble for me: make sure my German Shepherd Dog remains a WORKING dog, for I have struggled all my life for that aim".

I have a friend who has two dogs from Miles River Kennel in MA - is very happy with both, but they are not being shown.  One is a softer male, the other is a more drivey female.  We have some of the MRK dogs in class occasionally, and I have found them to be much more stable than the American dogs and quite beautiful, not too angulated.  MRK produces dogs from East German lines.  You may want to call Linda and see how her dogs are doing in various sports.
Personally, I'd stick to the sports and get a dog that will live out its lifespan, not succumb to joint problems, etc.

I'm afraid I can't help.  Thor and Sheba, and therefore Shadow, are from working lines, but have a smattering of conformation titles thrown into their pedigrees.  Even my failed fosters do not have the severe angulation.  All will show angulation in a stack, but that's it.
 
Unfortunately, you aren't going to win in a show ring without that awful angulation.  The gsd who made it to Westminster looked like s/he was walking on the rear hocks.
 
I do not find my working line shepherds too drivey, but maybe I've just gotten used to them and don't notice.
 
Told ya I couldn't be much help.......[8|]

I DO like the mixtures cheets, but I keep getting heat about it from people.  I'll take the heat when I start breeding, but for now, I just want something to show.
 
I want to make it clear to EVERYBODY that I WILL NOT hire a pro handler for my dogs.  I show my dogs and nobody else, and I will be owner handling ountil my knees or back goes out.  Whichever comes first.  Cheetah knows how passionate I am about that xD
 
I do show my old dog in conformation right now (He's a Veteran), but I need a new young dog.  It has to be able to work.  IMO, the working lines have drive that is too extreme for my individual lifestyle.
 
Lots of people say "You don't like that drive, don't have a Shepherd", but I honestly believe that their drive has been bred to extremes and is not correct.  I see workingline dogs in their homes when they're "off" and it's still boing boing boing.  I don't like that.
 
I want a dog that has a zest for work that can kickback on the couch when neccessary.  Really, I have all that now in my young male Strauss, but his ear never stood, so I could never show him :-/
 
The style of dog I like is in glenmar's signature.  Manhattan is my kind of dog, but according to the American fanciers, his type isn't good enough anymore, and for the "serious" AKC Breeders (aka those who only show in specialties, god forbid they ever be seen in an all breed ring), a dog is automatically better if it wins in specialties rather than ABs.  PErsonally, I think neither is correct if they can't win in both rings AND the ring of their home Country.
 
I really really like the Heidelberg dogs, but hear nothing but bad things about them :-(  The style of dog is JUST what I'm looking for, but people keep telling me they're millers.  Is this true?

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Come on did they chase you from GSD.com and Leerburg? Hey I have both working and  german showline.(not mixed though)  This is my one dogs grandpa, Fanto Vom Hirschel. He`s a looker and did great in Schutzhund.
[linkhttp://www.canepastoretedesco.it/fanto.htm]http://www.canepastoretedesco.it/fanto.htm[/link][/blockquote]

If you mean germanshepherds.com, no they didn't chase me.  I'm actually a happy member there, but can't get the info I want as far as pups are concerned.
 
Never belonged to Leerburg...hate that site, not a fan of the dogs.
 
As for Fanto, he's ok, but he's still got that roached back.  Is it Severe? No.  But it's roached.  I'm not a fan of his front either

My black and cream GSD is not a show dog, just my pal, but please save me from those sloped hind ends - think it spoiles the look of the dog and causes health problems. Give me a nice straight back and a 4 square stance anytime!
 
 
The only love you can buy is the love of a puppy
 
Dom

I have been told that a mix of German show lines and German working lines are a nice, not-to-drivey, but still a working dog combo.