Choosing a favorable German Shepherd from the various types
Domestic pets like dogs serve different purposes, many homes have dogs, but the question is “do you plan well before getting a dog?” Planning is the key in getting a good German shepherd dog that can be very useful to you. It is essential to carry out a study or research on the various kinds of breed available in the market. It is a common phenomenon for dogs to be loyal and appealing, their appearance are always something good to behold, their natural make up comprises of various temperament exhibited towards strangers (which is usually barking and showing hostile approach) and also showing various energy levels and other activities which varies from different breeds.
The German Shepherd dogs consist of various breeds which exhibit unique qualities. Let’s take a close look at the different types of German Shepherd dogs:- in actual fact, the most popular kinds of German Shepherd dogs are defined by the different types of roles they are able to operate. For instance, the GDS’s are unique for its ability to shift and perform different roles and functions.
The American Show Lines
It may or may not surprise you but sometimes these factors may also vary in any breed – just like the German Shepherds. Let’s take a look at the uniqueness of these German Shepherd dogs that can assist dog trainers and owners to make good use of the dogs.
The German Shepherd dogs variety commonly referred to as “the American Show line’ are breeds also known as the AKC lines. These categories of dogs have the ability of blustering. They are often utilized to operate at the Westminster Kennel Clubb Dog show. These categories of dogs are specially trained to entertain at shows and they have the ability to easily conform to the training techniques for the purpose of the shows. Its unique features are its potentials, its color, its movement, good size, well built, its enormous angulations and its overall GSD high rating and looks is exceptional. These categories of dogs are usually longer and taller than most of its European lines or counterparts. They are colorful, you have them in solid black, solid white, black and tan saddle, and bi-color.
Most American Show lines German Shepherd’s coat possess natural lighter covering which is different from the European GSD’s light tan, cream and silver are more rampant than the red coats or tan coats of German show lines.
Another type of German Shepherd dogs which normally appears to be laid back, it possesses lesser energy and lower drive than the working lines types. The American show line German Shepherds are very good for pets at homes. They are usually known for unique qualities like being obedient, well known for great tracking ability, herding and shows qualities of agility when compared to working lines, American show lines are known for being active and having lesser power; however, its inability of being aggressive and qualities short of force where the law enforcement agents can use it for security purposes is one of the weakness of these in its characteristics. Hence, it is not suitable for human or personal protection or security purposes. However, some of the breeds can adapt to security usages but not all.
East German DDR Working lines
Post-WWII, the Berlin Wall separated East Germany and West Germany so the trade outside was ceased. This led to the preservation of the DDR/East German working lines’ lineage. This type of German Shepherds was originally bred for military purposes. That time, the government took control of this working line – protecting and insulating it from outside influence.
Each puppy of each litter is also inspected, tested, and examined for proper bone structure, coat quality, temperament, etc.
This line also undergoes physical tests including:
- Scaling a straight wall of 1.5 and 1.8 meters;
- Walking on a balance beam;
- Searching 10 blinds ;
- And completing a series of tracking tests.
This type of German Shepherds is bred to endure terrible weather conditions and long working days. Their main purpose was to patrol territory borders, but they also worked as tracking and attack dogs.
These dogs had to have lasting endurance and athleticism. Unlike show lines, they also tend to be more aloof and defensive.
The West German Show lines
These categories of dogs have GSD’s well adapted for being attractive. Very good looking, but are not bred to conform to standards. The difference between these breeds and the American show line is that the West German Show lines have the ability to work more, it doesn’t exhibit any signs of being lazy, they have the potentials of working out hard and more adaptable to strenuous activities such as vigorous training and socialization too.
The German Working Lines breeds
These breeds are very good with GSD’s that is close to that of the German Shepherd dogs. It was developed by Max von Stephanitz, a former president of S.V (i.e. Verein für Deutsche Schäferhunde) well known for his ability to set the requisite guidelines and standard for the breed. The West German Working Lines focuses more on stable temperament; it has strong drive and high level of working ability.
It also possesses handsome looks which has the tendency to show affection and admiration from people. It possesses color mixing features and finess. Its black colored lines are more slopped compared to the DDR/East German working lines – they are often energetic and active just like the East German working lines. Although, the West German lines show potentials of having health problems than the East German Lines. These type of German Shepherds however do normally excel at many sports activities and jobs such as giving protection, guarding and doing rescue and hunting or carrying out a search. Irrespective of the fact that both the German Shepherds and West German Working lines show strong similarity in strong drive, they also have the ability to determine how and when to maintain stability, calmness and they can settle down easily, these qualities or traits has made these breeds so amazing and good pets for the homes or at different families.
While there was separation in East and West Germany during the post world war II era and during the Berlin War saga, trading in the breeds had stopped. This circumstance led to the preservation of the East German working lines/DDR pedigree. In actual fact, these categories were foremost applied for military operation. However, government intervention in its usage led to extensive control on the usage of the working lines, it was however obvious that it was for the purpose of protection from over influencing on the breeds.
The breeds where tested for its temperament, quality examination for proper development especially for bone and structural formation, coating quality, scaling, walking on balance beam, searching ability and undergoing track test etc.
They where specially trained to adapt to military and security operations such as carrying out searches, defense function, territorial patrols, border patrols and used for tracking, attacking and subduing criminals in war torn zones etc.
These breeds showed more lasting endurance, athleticism which was quite different from what the show lines breeds could do. They showed great qualities in defense operations and being unfriendly.
The Czech Working Lines
These categories of German Shepherds comes from the renown Czechoslovakia, a communist country. Czech Working Lines German Shepherds breed were mainly utilized in territorial or border patrol work. The foremost and well developed breeds were used in the Czech Military operations. The German Shepherd have great potentials in terms of work drives. They are often very agile and aggressive than other lines. They were used in the Czech socialist Republic and develop through a strict breeding program that gave rise to their qualities.
Just like the East German working Lines, which is powerful and aggressive the Czech working lines showed similar qualities. Its coats are developed into a dark pattern or pigments. They are very good and they do well in security jobs, defense and protection.
Why it is wise to chose from the different types of German Shepherds
We have now noticed and seen why we really need to chose from the varieties of Germen Shepherds dogs which is suitable for us. Some are good as pets, some are good for personal protection and securities reasons. It all depends on what we need them for.
It might also interest you to know that after the Second World War, the German shepherd dogs breed assumed a very popular status. Years after the war, the American lines and European lines showed little differences in characteristics both physical and in mental abilities. There was hardly enough details on standards until the various lines began to function in different activities, initially there was a thin line in differences. But however the focus on various breeding deviation, breed formation and conformation to standard brought out the different qualities of each breed and the ability for it to be suitable for different purposes.
