Herding or working dog?

[staffanatic]

Ok, i am looking to you wonderfully knowledgeable people for help and insight.

If i was to want a dog that's:
protective
intelligent
very biddable (like a border collie)
strong work ethic
level headed, low anxiety
off switch
40 - 60lbs

What would you suggest?

[Aleron]

The right GSD? Your list described my Jora, a German showline girl with some solid workers in her pedigree. And many Getman working line dogs I've known.

[Saeleofu]

Originally Posted by Aleron

The right GSD? Your list described my Jora, a German showline girl with some solid workers in her pedigree. And many Getman working line dogs I've known.

I'm going to have to agree with this. you definitely can find GSDs that small. A good, stable GSD really ought to have all those other characteristics, too.

[FG167]

My dog is this and this small and I <3 him!

[Aleron]

Really 60ish lbs is not uncommon for GSD bitches and smaller males. Jora was right about 60lbs and was 23" tall, so right in the middle of the height standard. She wasn't heavy or fine boned but just right. I'd avoid puppies from real heavy boned dogs and look for litters out of smaller or moderate sized parents. I don't think that would be all that hard to find in working lines.

[Red Chrome]

I think you can find that in a GSD. I love the working line dogs but they do tend to run bigger than that in the lines I like. However, I have seen some very nice small females and males. My friend has a 65 pound powerhouse of a male.

[AdrianneIsabel]

I think the right GSD sounds right, get a clone of Kastle. I can then covet it.

I also don't think the right Belgian is a bad idea, because we've talked before, however this list does say nice moderate GSD to me.

[Aleron]

Originally Posted by AdrianneIsabel

I think the right GSD sounds right, get a clone of Kastle. I can then covet it.

I also don't think the right Belgian is a bad idea, because we've talked before, however this list does say nice moderate GSD to me.

You're probably right, the right Belgian could work and that size is easier to get in them. But yeah, GSD was what jumped out when I read the list.

[Red Chrome]

I know some German Showline breeders that produce the exact kinda dog you are looking for. I'll send you some links. The working lines I have contact with seem to be a bit harder to live with. Moreso because you have to work at getting an off switch rather than them having a semi natural one. It can be done and I am seeing improvement in the latest litters I have seen but certain lines tend to run more towards what you want naturally.

I'd stay away from pure Czech lines and West German Working lines. I'd look towards more DDR crosses with the above 2 lines. The DDR dogs seem to have more natural off switches in my experience.

A few breeders I'd recommend...
www.vomhaushuro.com I have never met a dog from here but I trust this breeder, she produces nice showline dogs that can and do work!
www.wildhauskennels.com I know a bitch from this kennel that is a perfect match for my friend's home. Very solid nice dog with good drive but able to chill out.
www.schraderhausk9.com I train with a bitch from here and know several of her other dogs that do SAR. They are all very nice stable, balanced dogs. I highly recommend her.
www.timberhausk-9.com I have a friend with a wonderful bitch from here that is amazing, great in the house and good in training.
http://kolibrivineyard.com/German_Shepherds.html I highly recommend Donna's dogs, they are wonderful and seem to be very balanced in drives as well as having an off switch. Her dogs do everything from SAR to Therapy work and are more than capable of doing Schutzhund. Size may be a bit bigger than your ideal but she produces very nice standard dogs.

I think you could easily find what you are looking for from one of those breeders.

[staffanatic]

Thanks for the input everyone!

I've been bouncing back and forth between Mal and GSD for a while. There is currently no room at the inn, but i'm glad that i'm on the right path.

I really miss working with my border collie, we had an awesome training partnership. However, he got bullied a lot by my other dogs and was generally miserable at my house. He's much happier with my bff and her submissive apbt.

Then there's Ash (ACD) who fits in the pack, but definitely doesn't have the work ethic or biddability of a BC.

But there's the high probability i just need a Sloan clone. i really do adore her.

Or a really mean and oversized BC. i'd totally take that.