Worker GSD vs Show GSD... puppy update

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SadKen

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Thought I'd combine an update on Hector (now 5 months) as well as some differences I've noticed between him and Sirius, my working lines GSD.

Hector is very cuddly and wants physical affection. Sirius is not, but he wants to be with me, sit next to me etc. No cuddling.

Hector is very insistent about sleeping on the couch and we have had to be very firm about him not doing that. Siri has never wanted to get on the couch.

Hector has no mouth eye coordination and can't catch for toffee (I am teaching him, which he enjoys). Siri has lightning reactions and was born to catch.

Hector isn't particularly good at training. Actually he is, but not compared to Siri who picks up most requests in a couple of goes and understands concepts like 'get me the other ball' and different shapes of toy. His recall was amazing from day 1. Hector's is ok, not 100%.

Hector house trained instantly. Sirius took months.

Hector can dig, Sirius is crap at it and can't get the hang of moving his front legs independently.

Hector mouths but didn't chew. Siri chewed destructively but didn't mouth.

In short they are almost opposite dogs!

There's no doubt Hector has been the easiest pup we've had and has a wonderful cuddly little mischief maker. I do adore Sirius's brains though!

Is this a working/show line thing, or is it just an individual thing? Thoughts on a postcard...

Photos of the handsome pup below.

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I don't know enough about the breed to comment on show v working although I would always imagine a working bred dog to be more intelligent and get bored more easily, they are both however gorgeous 😍
 
I have a very work orientated lurcher and you are describing him to a T when you describe Siri. Different breed but same mind set. He is hard work compared to the girls but has been a joy to train.
 
Lovely pics! Sounds like he's settling in great. For me it's more of an individual thing.

Mine are both from working lines but like chalk and cheese physically and personality wise, the older one is extremely independent/aloof, likes a fuss but only on his terms and generally isn't a fan of physical contact or restraint.
Recall is not great lol and I've let him get feral in retirement as rules aren't really his thing, he's a little free spirit :p but he does actually go back to show lines in the bottom part of the fourth generation. It's pretty much separate gene pools now unfortunately.

Younger one is classic velcro dog, follows me to the loo, has to be touching me at all times, loves a cuddle, thinks having to sleep three metres away is not fair at all :p he thrives on human contact and being spoilt rotten does not impact his drive to work at all, despite people (blokes) looking down their noses at me lol.

Neither digs but the older one will dig his bedding in the car if there's work going on and he's not involved. Both fine with catching. Older one has crazy possession and will carry something for hours is generally more robust and agile, younger one will spit periodically and is a wee bit more prone to injury. Both super smart in that they learn the wrong things first :p

My two show dogs were harder work as they had 'drive' but no 'nerve' so I was able to do very little with it as they couldn't cope with stress very well.
 
They are both beautiful dogs and I am jealous. I only had a show bitch and she was the smartest and most intelligent dog I have ever come across. She instinctively knew how to track but recall and distance work were her forte, you could tell her to sit in the middle of a field and she wouldn't move a muscle until told to. We did the basics with her but cheated a bit with the advanced stuff and had her professionally trained by an ex police dog handler who really stretched her mind.
 
I feel this way about my whippet when people describe theirs! Mine is aloof as anything, likes her space, not particularly cuddly, doesn't play with other dogs really, shes a grumpy, moody little witch when she's tired and will growl and grizzle if you so much as breath near her when she's tired. That's not even exaggerating. If you breath on her she gets really vocal and will tell you in no uncertain terms that she doesn't appreciate it. She is a complete diva and nothing like the happy, go lucky whippets that other people describe!
 
That's interesting CC, the more I read about your workers the more I feel Siri has missed out in not competing, I think he would have loved it and been quite good! He's also pretty possessive, has to have something in his mouth. He'll give it me but will under no circumstances surrender anything to Hector, who only wants things Siri has.

Hector has got a little bit of food and prey drive, but loses interest quite quickly.

It's nice to know some workers do like a cuddle. Siri does when on the bed otherwise it's an absolute no!

Thanks everyone for the kind words about my boys too, they are my pride and joy! Hector is great at his primary job which was to help heal the wounds left by the loss of our old boy and he's teaching my husband patience while he's at it!
 
Beautiful dogs. :)
Labradors rather than GSD but I have found, although ours are all working bred, as we have gone on and got more experienced we have gone more for full on trials breeding. They are actually pretty hard work, and I think would make horrible pets! (Well, not horrible, but need something to do). They are so obessesive about things and full on.
 
I have had so many different characters in my GSDs, all have been show line so I honestly don't think it makes too much difference in every day life. If you wanted to do proper working then I suspect you would find Sirius more up for it, but having said that there are now plenty of West German showlines who are being trained to work, although they tend not to have as much drive. My current 2 are mother and daughter but are very different in many ways, although both are top class diggers !
 
Fab photos, beautiful dogs.
I know nothing about GSDs but experienced with whippets, lurchers and especially flatcoats. I have found most differences to be individual character traits within their breed.
Never come across a whippet like yours Peter! I used to breed them, all friendly and cuddly, never heard a cross or growly remark.
 
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