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  SHOW LINES - 

🇺🇸 American/Canadian Show Line

• Drive/Energy: Low to Moderate

• Temperament: Gentle, calm, family-friendly

• Coat: Medium-length, plush

• Colors: Black & tan, black & cream, sometimes sable

• Appearance: Sloped back, long hocks, angulated rear

• Health: Prone to hip/elbow dysplasia due to structure

• Best For: Families, casual owners, low-activity homes
   

 West German Show Line

• Drive/Energy: Moderate to High

• Temperament: Balanced, trainable, more drive than American line

• Coat Types:

  • Stock Coat: Medium length, dense, traditional for show and work

  • Long Coat: Flowing, soft, more aesthetic, higher grooming need

• Colors:

  • Most common: Black & red, black & tan

  • Rarer: Solid black, sable

• Appearance: Strong gait, moderate angulation, powerful build

• Health: Generally better than American lines

• Best For: Active families, hobby sport homes, show enthusiasts
  
   

 WORKING LINES - 

 West German Working Line

• Drive/Energy: High

• Temperament: Stable, driven, versatile

• Colors: Primarily sable, black, bi-color, some black & tan

• Appearance: Athletic, upright posture, functional structure

• Best For: Working homes, IGP, SAR, active dog sports
   

 DDR / East German Working Line

• Drive/Energy: High

• Temperament: Serious, loyal, protective

• Colors: Mostly dark sable, solid black, rarely bi-color

• Appearance: Thick bones, large heads, straight backs

• Best For: Security, patrol, experienced handlers
   

 Czech Working Line

• Drive/Energy: Very High

• Temperament: Intense, independent, high stamina

• Colors: Dark sable, solid black, some bi-colors

• Appearance: Agile, lean, highly athletic

• Best For: Police, military, advanced sport work

UNIQUE VARIANTS - 

 King Shepherd

• Origin: GSD × Alaskan Malamute × Great Pyrenees × Shiloh

• Drive/Energy: Moderate

• Temperament: Calm, friendly, protective

• Colors: Black & tan, sable, cream, gray

• Appearance: Giant build (100–150 lbs.), fluffy coat

• Best For: Families wanting a gentle, oversized companion

• Health: Watch for joint issues due to size
   

Panda German Shepherd

• Origin: KIT gene mutation; still purebred GSD

• Drive/Energy: Varies by line

• Temperament: Same as standard GSD

• Colors: Black/tan or sable base with white markings on chest, legs, and face

• Appearance: "Panda-like" white spotting

• Best For: GSD lovers wanting a rare look

• Note: Disqualified from shows due to white markings
   

White German Shepherd

• Origin: Recessive gene; purebred GSD

• Drive/Energy: Moderate to High (depends on line)

• Temperament: Friendly, loyal, alert

• Colors: Solid white (can have cream tinge)

• Coat: Stock coat or long coat

• Appearance: Wolf-like face, upright ears, snow-white coat

• Best For: Families, companion homes, therapy work

• Note: Not allowed in SV conformation shows, but AKC allows registration