If you go for a worker you need to be prepared to probably need to exercise them a lot more than from non-working lines and know that they will probably have a lot more working instinct (depending on the breed of course).

In weims a lot of show dogs are also workers and it's preferred really amongst enthusiasts that a weim is not JUST a showdog and has not gone down the route of many and that show'ers can actually do a good day in the field too.

Maddy didn't have the temp for working but otherwise (in the way of natural instinct and drive e.t.c) could have easily been trained in the field. Her lines are excellent in the field.

But as always, even in a working bred litter you will find pups that are not suitable workers, the same as in a show bred litter you will have pups that will go no where in the ring, you can do your best in breeding but at the end of the day nature is in charge. I have seen weims with very little hunting instinct and at 3 years old Maddy still has heaps and will stalk flush and point, albeit not professionally - but she's never been taught and still does it.

If not trained to work as a pup the instincts usually subside or lessen (not totally disappear though) over the years but can be so strong in some dogs that they will never really be very happy (or perhaps satisfied is more apt) in a pet only home.

So all in all down to the individual dog, some would be fine with just extra exercise, (although it is debatable, especially with Collies) but to an extent working could be replaced with trials, flyball, agility e.t.c.

All JMO of course based on dogs I have known personally. x

i like the working lines better in most breeds ive seen (BCs, GSDs, Labs, Goldies, cockers,Malinois,Clumbers etc- i Prefer the Show lines ESS though)

I think as a whole they just seem to have , for me, abit more about them,(huge genarlization of course). But i like really goey , drivey dogs that are aliitle bit "more"

Ive never seen a pic of a working setter...piccy?

I think with my breed, border collies, that a show bred one would be most suitable to a pet only home. That's not to say they can't work/do various dog sports, () but I think they'd be more content than working dogs would be if they didn't do either of these. For example, my border collie is from show lines and whilst he adores his agility & obedience, he'd probably be okay without it, where as I think a working lined dog is more likely to become bored and unsettled.

However, for those who wish to work their dog, or do dog sports, working lines may be equally suitable or in many cases more suitable. My next border collie will likely be a mix of show & working lines, as i plan to continue with the obedience and agility and I'd like a mix of the two lines.

what she said...x

but would you agree that many PET homes would stuggle to channel that drive?

My darling Dotty:











Sorry, got carried away lol.

Helen

Maybe, probaley. Not a experinced "pet" home though or if they wanted to do abit more.

I dont really know what the OP wants to do with the dog, so it would depend on that. For Myself id like a working lines goldie one day...they are like tigger!!!!! Bounce bounce bounce!

oooo thank you, what a lovely dog!

Absolutely beautiful But I am biased to my beloved English
Thanks for the replies guys, food for thought!!