Where is the best place (books or ?) that I can to study pedigrees? - Page 2

I also am interested in researchng bloodlines, but have no idea where to begin.  So thank you for all information. 

rowdy
any luck on finding a schutzhund club yet?
where do you live, more or less?

No, not as of yet.  I live in Placerville, CA (between Sacramento and Lake Tahoe).

I would highly recommend purchasing Fred Lanting's book, The Total German Shepherd Dog. It isn't cheap, but Fred does a wonderful job of summarizing both the German and American lines. He talks about both strengths and weaknesses, and shows how certain faults became entrenched in modern lines by too much influence from a popular ancestor which carried the faults.

I think Fred is pushing 80 now. He has judged in both the American and German showring, as well as handling dogs for clients. (He is still actively showing and judging, and does a beautiful job of gaiting people's dogs to show them to their best advantage.) He has seen many of the dogs he talks about in the flesh.

If you can't afford his book, try to find someone with a similar depth of experience who can mentor you.

There are other German Shepherd books that discuss bloodlines in depth, but since Fred's is the only one I own, I'll let others make their recommendations.

http://www.bluetahoeschutzhundclub.com/

http://www.german-shepherd.biz/schutzhund.aspx

http://www.southwestschutzhund.com/sw_clubs.htm

any of these work for you?

Oneironaut, I would suggest going to a schutzhund club or two (or 3) and talking to members there. Many are very knowlwdgeable about bloodlines, major producers, famous dogs whose siblings were actually the better producers, and they will talk bloodlines all day, given half a chance. There are people who can look at a pedigree and tell you what to expect from the puppies from that breeding almost to a "T." Second, join an email list (check yahoogroups.com) or message board dedicated to gsd pedigrees. The gsd-euro list is one such list. Third, get the WIN-SIS program. Fourth, go to some trials and shows and ask about the bloodlines of dogs you like (if you don't have some already in mind). Ask about their siblings, parents, etc. Find out if you can check any of them out.

Once you go to a Schutzhund club you're gonna be hooked...it's like a drug!  Be sure to ask if they are having any training seminars.  If you're lucky and get to catch one, you can watch a real pro work with all the members' dogs and see how they give out pointers.  I found it fascinating!  Good luck locating one in your area.

Sounds like Fred Lanting's book is the ticket!  I'm gonna have to get it. 

If you haven't found this site already - here it is.

http://www.fredlanting.org/freds-books/

I just Googled it and he has another regarding hip dysplasia.  May have to get both.

Fred wrote a near-definitive book on dysplasia. I highly recommend it. I agree with Sunsilver regarding his book on the gsd. I bought it, and the revised version, as I found it so informative.

Actually, the book isn't just on dysplasia, but covers many other orthopedic disorders that affect dogs. Fred became a licensed veterinary techician so he could actually go into the OR and observe and assist with operations. This experience gave him the hands-on knowledge he needed to write his book.