Thread: Crossing show lines

Originally Posted by Ruff

You can always find an exception to prove a non existent rule... Speckle was a freak but what else was ever produced from the same show lines? nothing...

Mortenson was right, as he usually was, but he only used working lines himself. I believe the same things, pedigree are more likely to tell me what I don;t want than what i do. When I look over a pedigree I am more concerned with red flags than any super dogs. Leon also believed anything beyond grandparents really had bugger all influence unless it was prominent on both sides of the pedigree.

My experiences is that the main quality lost in using non working lines or show lines is biddibility... many of the show lines still hunt, but can be real buggers to train because no one has really selected proper hunting temperament in a while. Just my five cents worth....

Oh and the division is least most pronounced in versatiles, then labs then setters and pointers and finally is a huge freaking divide in spaniels.

some very interesting observations Ruff particularly about bidability and one I can imagine to be true given the working breeder recognizes these traits hopefully and breeds toward a trait like that .

I agree even the show dog can hunt but if the finer traits haven't been breed for it would be hit and miss to if you would get a workable aniimal to hunt over .
I am a doubting Thomas with many people that tell me of the wonders there dog can do without first seeing that dog work as I know they are not wind up toys and need input to create manners even if birdy as a birdy dog can also piss off for the day and self hunt,

Does a show dog put the possibility of closer working into a line or just create a dog that hangs around your feet and ruin your day when a working line is running long and holding point and birds???