What's to become of our purebred dogs?

[mmorlino]

Dachshunds are the same -- form over function, unfortunately. You might have a dog that CH in conformation but it's patellas are shot and it can't jump 6 inches to save it's life.

[ihartgonzo]

When you put it like that, Xandra, I can understand the comparison.

I do feel that many years ago when the breed first came to this country, GSDs certaintly weren't show type dogs, but they still had a good reputation and did a lot for people with their working ability. Pit Bulls were always fighting dogs in this country, which was STILL illegal hundreds of years ago with the old dog men or whatev. I don't really consider them respectable, because dog fighting is still disgusting and inhumane, regardless IMHO. The fact that dog fighting has always and still attracts very unsavory people, and that Pit Bulls are historically THE fighting dog, I don't see German Shepherds being doomed to nearly as much misery and bigotry as that particular breed.

[Zoom]

Not necessarily. Many people used the dogs for hunting dogs, not fighting. You had your select group that was fighting them but not every single ABPT stems from strictly fighting lines.