Why are Showlines generally priced higher than Working Lines?? - Page 4

Alphapup - that is very interesting... I can definitely see your point as I knew nothing of the working lines when I entered the GSD world. If I had seen one on the street, I wouldn't have known it was a GSD. Now that I've learned more about the lines and breed, I find many of them breathtaking, but a few years ago wouldn't have given a them a second thought as they didn't fit into that "ideal" blk and tan image that I grew up seeing. In my search for a second GSD, a sable male was at the top of my list, but the DH was adamant that he did not find these dogs attractive and wanted the traditional blk/tan. His viewpoint wasn't a big factor in my choice, but I went with a blk/tan more so because I felt the drive in the pup I chose was more suitable for our family and lifestyle. Dees - sending PM...

"I felt the drive in the pup I chose was more suitable for our family and lifestyle". :(

Imho this is what happens and has been mentioned before, with dogs its the same as with everything else, the capitalism society creates needs for people, mass media has always sold us sl as the handsome, heroic, do it all kind of dog, Hollywood makes tons of money out of them... flipper made bottle nose dolphins famous, rin tin tin, sam, etc. Etc. And the thing is since you know (or at least you think you know ) a little bit about gsds, lines, patterns, history etc. You tend to think every body else knows about it to. But the TRUTH is something waaay different... you wouldn't believe how many times people stop me on the street to ask me what kind of dog is that? To which I respond: a German shepherd dog, to which in turn they respond: (and this is classic) " I didn't know there was black German shepherds" sometimes some people will even go further by asking after I tell them " oh but there's some black Labrador in him right???? So bottom line is the price is DIRECTLY PROPORTIONAL to the dogs popularity (pattern for that matter) imho.

 OKAY PEOPLE HERE IS THE GOD,S HONEST PAINFULLY HONEST TRTUH TO THE QUESTION IF YOU DON,T LIKE IT LUMP IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



There is a ass for every seat!!!.

It,s that simple. I work in a body shop have for 25 years have restored many a muscle car. There are people who will spend 70.000 dollars for a perfectly restored 1966 big block numbers correct corvette that will do nothing but set in the garage and stay covered up. My self give me the 1971 Chevrolet C20 camper special 4x4 with 16.5 17 40 ground hawgs with a 396 that I can play in the mud with on a daily basis for about 5 or 6 grand.

 The price is the factor between a buyer and seller. What your asperations and hopes for that purchase are. I like WL you like SL, I like vanilla you like chaoclate, beef to steak, pork or chicken, wine or tequilla, blond or brunette, fat or thin, 70,s gal or 90,s gal.....


  

     

An interesting thread lets hope it does not get out of hand, But for a bit of fun what line of dog is this WL or SL
Steve1

Chaz - um, why is that sad? Should I have chosen a dog with high drives better intended for police work or a highly active lifestyle that is better placed with people that know how to handle this type of dog? I did not choose a couch potato, if that's what you are leaning towards. I chose a pup who's parents have both demonstrated conformation to the standard and working ability, and I consulted with experienced individuals who are actually partial to the working lines. Thanks.

Steve - I'm gonna say SL, just cause it seems like a trick question. ;-)

Bob you seem to be missing the point, although what you say is totally true, that's the basics of offer and demand, the op asks about the reason for a marked and constant difference in price between to different lines of dogs that belong to the same breed, originally bred for the same purpose and just victim of deviation due to cultural reasons/trend/marketing etc. What you say is clear there is a buyer for every product... but why one over the other? That's the original question.

Interesting Bob. I also would like to make a point that you illustrated on your Sorry cute puppy thread.  

It has been stated over and over the WL community is small compared to the SL's. It is totally common for occasional WL breeders like yourself to give away dogs or give friendly pricing to WL competitors because that is where you want to see your pups end up. On the trial field.

And of course with the sheer numbers of SL breedings (we know the GSD is in the 1-3 top spots for dog ownership in the US, anyway), only a very few will be suitable for show ring competition as major contenders, so they end up elsewhere, lets say, probably someone's pet. Unless pet owners are used to acquiring a new dog every year or so, they are more or less at the mercy of what the breeders charge. If we think we are dealing with a reputable, professional person, and everyone else is selling their pups in the same range, how the heck can we know? 

It is common and human nature to hope that price reflects quality, and that is what I would have thought was happening if I paid a premium for a pup. I"m not saying that will happen, but that is the hope. There could be some idiots with low self-esteem who need to brag about how much they paid for something, and surely they could let themselves be price gouged, but for most people that is just too stupid to contemplate.

Steve1 hard working show line.