There are a few breeders of the American line that have very good birds, and then the german line.Many people are claiming to sell the pure german line, but some are really a cross with a american line. You can tell the crossing because the females in the pure german line don't have the black ticking in the hackles, and the american line does. The german line females are to dark as someone already noted. I personally think the german line are great looking birds, they just don't fit the standard like a good american line. If your wanting a nh that best fits the standard the cross bird would be best, or find one of the few breeders that have a good american line, no hatchery. You can check with Matt for chicks who post on the german line thread, he has the pure german line,good american line and a cross between the two.