Temperament Differences Between Show Lines VS. Working Lines?

[ClantyreSheltie]

Originally Posted by Diana

I wasn't looking for a performance dog or a working dog, so I can't speak to that. But if you are, you may want to find breeders that breed specifically for that. They are out there, and many of them do conformation as well as obedience, herding, or agility.

I find that "performance" breeders tend to breed dogs with inconsistent temperaments and looks. I have seen plenty of icky "performance bred" dogs bought by people who thought they were getting a fantastic working dog. Just out of one "performance" kennel I have seen vWD, serious jumping problems stemming from vision and structural issues, and temperament issues. Why in the world would you risk that in a dog that might live for 12-15+ years.

I would rather have a dog from solidly bred "family" lines, where good temperament is demonstrated by most, if not all the dogs in the family. I think this is an education issue for performance people. They need to understand structure, they need to understand drive (and all the things drive encompasses), and they need to look beyond that puppy into the family as a whole. Visit the family, find others with older dogs from the family.

Overall, I want to see consistency in whatever the breeder is doing. Whether they focus on conformation or herding or agility or whatever, I don't really care. I have much more respect for breeders who work within a line, and have a good understanding of what they have, rather than someone who breeds to what is winning, regardless of lines. That goes for any dog, regardless of whether you want a pet, or a sport dog, or anything else.

We "performance" people have to have a solid understanding because I think some breeders don't. They pass off any conformation reject as a "performance" prospect. It makes me crazy. Some of them can legitimately do that, because they work in a line, and know what they have based on the family, and they have the consistency to be able to make that determination, but some breeders don't.

Well, that was a sermon, didn't mean that. Sorry.

[corbinam]

Originally Posted by ClantyreSheltie

I find that "performance" breeders tend to breed dogs with inconsistent temperaments and looks. I have seen plenty of icky "performance bred" dogs bought by people who thought they were getting a fantastic working dog. Just out of one "performance" kennel I have seen vWD, serious jumping problems stemming from vision and structural issues, and temperament issues. Why in the world would you risk that in a dog that might live for 12-15+ years.

I would rather have a dog from solidly bred "family" lines, where good temperament is demonstrated by most, if not all the dogs in the family. I think this is an education issue for performance people. They need to understand structure, they need to understand drive (and all the things drive encompasses), and they need to look beyond that puppy into the family as a whole. Visit the family, find others with older dogs from the family.

Overall, I want to see consistency in whatever the breeder is doing. Whether they focus on conformation or herding or agility or whatever, I don't really care. I have much more respect for breeders who work within a line, and have a good understanding of what they have, rather than someone who breeds to what is winning, regardless of lines. That goes for any dog, regardless of whether you want a pet, or a sport dog, or anything else.

We "performance" people have to have a solid understanding because I think some breeders don't. They pass off any conformation reject as a "performance" prospect. It makes me crazy. Some of them can legitimately do that, because they work in a line, and know what they have based on the family, and they have the consistency to be able to make that determination, but some breeders don't.

Well, that was a sermon, didn't mean that. Sorry.

100% agree with everything you said!

[Sharon7]

All I can say is, Asta and Ally came from a conformation leaning breeder, and have wonderful temperaments. Ally could care less about agility, Asta loves it.

A friend wanted a Sheltie and got talked into going with a breeder who emphasizes "high drive" Shelties. She got a dog who was a nut case for 2 years doing agility - spinning barking and grabbing at her owner with her teeth. Not really what she had in mind.

[ClantyreSheltie]

Originally Posted by Sharon7

A friend wanted a Sheltie and got talked into going with a breeder who emphasizes "high drive" Shelties. She got a dog who was a nut case for 2 years doing agility - spinning barking and grabbing at her owner with her teeth. Not really what she had in mind.

That sucks, and nobody wants that kind of dog. I don't even want a Border Collie like that. No way, and I think breeders who breed these dogs don't really think beyond drive=fast. I also notice that those high drive/spinning/barking dogs tend to not actually care about the work they do. Knock a bar? Fine. Fly off an A-Frame? Fine. They actually take much more training than a reasonable dog with good drive.

[ortegah]

Originally Posted by ClantyreSheltie

That sucks, and nobody wants that kind of dog. I don't even want a Border Collie like that. No way, and I think breeders who breed these dogs don't really think beyond drive=fast. I also notice that those high drive/spinning/barking dogs tend to not actually care about the work they do. Knock a bar? Fine. Fly off an A-Frame? Fine. They actually take much more training than a reasonable dog with good drive.

Don't I know it! LOL! Trax is almost 7 and it's been about a year now since the last time he flew off of something and landed on his head Crap maybe I should keep my mouth shut with the Oriole dog show this weekend

[missjenneygirl]

And then add the people that have shelties that are aggressive toward other dogs...shelties that actually will fight, and the breeders BREED them!

It's crazy out there.

[ClantyreSheltie]

Originally Posted by missjenneygirl

And then add the people that have shelties that are aggressive toward other dogs...shelties that actually will fight, and the breeders BREED them!

I neutered mine... Of course he only fights with dogs he lives with. hes a perfect gentleman outside the house. My hypothesis is that the aggressive/edgy dogs come from dogs with softer temperaments.

[Lightplum]

Originally Posted by missjenneygirl

And then add the people that have shelties that are aggressive toward other dogs...shelties that actually will fight, and the breeders BREED them!

It's crazy out there.

That is a HUGE peeve of mine. I cant stand when people have dogs that are snarky towards other dogs and are fine when they lunge/snap at other dogs and dont bat an eyelash when it happens like nothing ever happened. That is one thing I WILL NOT live with!

Anyway back to the topic, I think you can have dogs that do both..I dont want a total idiot that when they stare at you you can tell noone is home, just as much as I dont want that spinning crazy dog. Bottom line is all my dogs are house dogs. I want something that is easy to both look at and live with.