American x West German showline crosses? - Page 7

Hi, Dawgs, haven't seen you around much lately! 

If you check out the dogs that showed at Westminister this year, I believe that 5 of the 11 GSD's, including the one that took BOB were sired by Dallas. Quite an impressive record!

I, too, would like to see the breed reunited, so all GSD's could compete in the same arena, but I'm afraid that's never going to happen.  Like Bob-O, I prefer the structure of the dogs back in the 60's before the German lines developed the roach backs, and the American lines became so horribly over-angulated and loose-ligamented. They can trot beautifully, but a lot of them walk like they're crippled, and even non-GSD people are asking "What's WRONG with that dog??" 

I hear you. I have a WG highline bitch who is a sweet heart but when I take her out sometimes I get sympathy because people assume she had HD. Though she's actually less angulated than most.  My show/working cross male looks like the old German lines. I get a lot of compliments on him but if it's someone in the breed they comment that he has too little angulation! I wonder what critiques the first few generations of GSD would get today?

My bitch has very nice movement as far as showing would go. But, I much prefer the spring and agility of my male and since he is the one I'm training for SAR it is the most practical conformation.

I've been taking a class for the last five months. Two four hour nights a week. It's the equivalent of an EMT-B.  It is a professional rescuer certification geared for wilderness situations. Thanks goodness I just passed my final and I feel like I have just been released from jail! I'm waiting for someone to give me 40 bucks and a new suit!

It occurs to me that with your background you may have come across this O.E.C. class? You were a forest ranger, right?

I'll have to admit that watching Dallas moving out in the show ring gave me chills.  That dog could FLOAT. 

Dawgs, no, you must have me confused with someone else. I'm a registered nurse, and I work in the community. Prior to that, I taught biology, French, and outdoor education/environmental science.

I really, really wish the AKC/CKC would demand some sort of performance testing of their dogs. As it is now, the GSD's that compete in performance events are almost NEVER the ones you see in the conformation classes. Sad, sad situation.

One thing that confuses me is the status of Schutzhund in the U.S. and Canada. I know AKC took a stand against Schutzhund at one point, but now we've got the WDA, and you can apply to get Sch. titles put on your pedigree. Can someone please explain it to me? I'm totally confuzzled!  

P.S.: Good on ya for passing your certification! As an R.N., I have a lot of respect for EMT's!

July9000 does have a website for her dogs, but as she lives in Quebec, it's in French: http://web.mac.com/july9000/Kana_Haus/Accueil.html

The most significant thing on the website is probably this: (translating it for you)

We try to produce dogs that conform to their respective breed standard as closely as possible. (they raise Airedale terriers as well as GSD's)  Health is a priority, and that's why we insist on hip and elbow certification for all of our breeding dogs, as well as for all dogs used in our breeding program.

Throughout the years, whe have been actively invovled in many dog related activities, such as conformation, obedience, agility and schutzhund. Thanks to this diveristy, we have a good understanding of the different facets of each of our our breeds, and also their 'raison d’être'  (reason for being, the breed's original function.) 

 Here is the status of schutzhund in MY community.

There is 2 clubs fighting one against the other.  A lot of matcho guys who think their virility is equal to their dogs performance.  For getting inform on GSD well...as long as they fight you only hear that this and that is not good(like am. GSD) That THEY know and everybody else is wrong and as for protection you never know if they're going to try to help you or just try to break your dog spirit or yours.

THAT'S WHY PEOPLE ARE NOT INTERESTED TOO MUCH IN WORKING DOGS OVER HERE.  You have to be in the gang or OUT. I know i was in the gang before and left because I was tired of hearing things on everybody. I was there to have fun!!

I heard that it is better elsewhere...I certainly hope for the sport of schutzhund and the GSD

 In CKC too..You can now have your shutzhund degree on it. I"m glad they have done that.

You are right.  Dogs in conformation rarely do obedience and obedience dog rarely have a championship.  We have to get more involve in different aspect of the breed to make better dogs.

I don't think you that because your are beautiful yo are dum...and that if you are shh 3 you are a perfect dog to breed to..

Sunsilver

By the way..congratulation on your french..I might call you the tranlate the site ahah!!!

Where did you learn??

Thank you!

I went through the Ontario school system, studying French from Gr. 8 to Gr. 13, then had one year of  French at York University. I also taught core French for Grades 4 to 6, but that was a long time ago. I can translate French to English okay, just don't ask for the reverse! My spelling and grammar have gone to pot!

That sucks about the state of Schutzhund, but what you said is about what I'd guessed from reading posts here. Yes, some clubs are better than that, some are worse. Having competed in riding and jumping for a number of years, I know all about the egos involved, and the 'stab 'em in the back, criticize their horse, their riding, their instructor' ethics! 

I am so glad to read some people have and like the Am.X German dogs. Its how I started out and God I miss my old dogs, not a day goes by I don't think of them a bit. I love my dogs now and Ivan actually still has a bit of the old crew in him. I just put a CD on him in June with about 3 weeks of work. He had some of the basics on heeling but hadn't even done that all winter. Here is a pic on our last day of the show. We got a 2nd and a 189 that day.

Ah, I remembered biology and environmental aspect and it seems to have jelled into forestry service.   My mind is fried from force feeding it! Sorry about that.

The frustrating thing for us was we had to learn all the different types of strokes, heart problems, shock, acute abdomen, etc.. But when we are four hours into the wilderness we treat them the same. ABC's, monitor vitals, treat for shock and get 'em the hell out of there as quick as possible.  The good thing is we can realign joints and fractures and put in pharangeal airways which most EMT's can't.   But, the important thing is that it's OVER!

If I had more time I would definitely be training in Sch. our SAR group actually allows it.  There is a club about 45 mins away from here and I had the helper evaluate my dog with very favorable response.  I just don't have time.

My daughter trained with the British Horse Society and actually was also a groom with the Irish Olympic Team several years ago. I agree totally about the stab 'em in the back types! Try being the Mom and seeing it done to your kid!