Liesje
Posted : 3/27/2008 2:05:04 PM
To me there is the "ideal" GSD, but in my mind, I know that I can't expect ALL GSDs of quality breeding to match that ideal even with genetics on their side, that only a select few will ever BE the ideal GSD, via good breeding, environmental factors, and proper training. Kenya is a good example of that. Her father was a high scoring SchH dog, but he was a great family companion and had a rock solid temperament. Her half brother died defending his family from an armed intruder. Kenya...if you come knocking at my door, she will only bark if Coke barks and when you try to come in, she will just sniff your crotch and walk away. If you shout at her she will probably hide even though you are invading her space. So she's a great example of a dog that WAS bred to be an ideal, but for whatever reasons, she doesn't cut it. I don't think it makes her brothers and sisters lesser dogs, or her dam or sire, or means her breeder did a "bad" job. You just never know with a dog, there's no guarantees....
Anyway, I guess as far as showing vs. working...there's always the UKC. Kenya's 100% working lines and finished a UKC championship. I know it's not as difficult as an AKC one, but still, she did conformation nonetheless. I guess when it comes down to it, I'd rather have a UKC Ch working dog than have an AKC Ch show dog with no sign of working dogs in the pedigree.