There are a few physical ways to distinguish between a showline dog and working line dog.
One of the most obvious is what you pointed out..."colour" or looks. Showlines are bred for show so their looks are an important factor when being bred. So, they look more consistent.

Workinglines are bred for work, with looks not being a priority. So in this case, their character for work is more consistent.

There are also sable show line dogs as well as black and brown working line dogs.

The best way of course is through looking at bloodlines.

Hope that helps a little

If you want to go into real detail there are many kinds of bloodlines. Within German bloodlines, there are working lines and show lines too. Same goes to Czech working lines, Belgian working lines, French working lines etc etc ( I'm just speaking for working lines as that is what I know)

Just sharing some pics of my old boy, with his grey muzzle

This post has been edited by RealityDreamer: Sep 22 2011, 06:31 AM


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Here is the young one of the family



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Thanks!! Haha..I wish he would bring real presents, not just dog food/trophies and the odd gifts.

Gangster...??? Why??? He's the sweetest thing on earth

Thanks. She's west german/belgian

The pics are on the facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2...86507857&type=3

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Added on October 19, 2011, 11:03 amSmack him a little...just like how your mom would if you're trying to take a cookie right before dinner!

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Added on October 19, 2011, 11:04 amOnce a fortnight...sometimes, once a month.

I'm not crazy about the smell but I rather tolerate that VS drying out his fur/skin from too much bathing.

Working GSD's in Europe.....NEVER!!!

This post has been edited by RealityDreamer: Oct 19 2011, 11:04 AM