From my own personal experience I like to inbreed. If you want to find your genetic strengths and weaknesses there is no other method as effective. If you inbreed and you find you have health issues; then why would you want to outcross? If you have issues that are masked because the right genes did not >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I love this thread, it's so educational for all. I also prefer to linebreed or inbreed but not too closely. I get very uniform litters that are healthy and outgoing. I've been able to maintain shoulders and type. However, when I outcross, I'm in for surprises. With all the doubling up I've done to cement the good stuff for consistent litters... How can it be that one outcross can give me issues I do not want? I now have a great dog I'm breeding to that is an outcross and the results are wonderful. The genes niche. I guess that's it, the genes in the other stud dogs just didn't niche. Kate ============================================================================ POST is Copyrighted 2008. All material remains the property of the original author and of GSD Communication, Inc. NO REPRODUCTIONS or FORWARDS of any kind are permitted without prior permission of the original author AND of the Showgsd-l Management. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. ALL PERSONS ARE ON NOTICE THAT THE FORWARDING, REPRODUCTION OR USE IN ANY MANNER OF ANY MATERIAL WHICH APPEARS ON SHOWGSD-L WITHOUT THE EXPRESS PERMISSION OF ALL PARTIES TO THE POST AND THE LIST MANAGEMENT IS EXPRESSLY FORBIDDEN, AND IS A VIOLATION OF LAW. VIOLATORS OF THIS PROHIBITION WILL BE PROSECUTED. For assistance, please contact the List Management at admin@xxxxxxxxxxxx VISIT OUR WEBSITE - http://showgsd.org NATIONAL BLOG - http://gsdnational.blogspot.com/ ============================================================================