IPO vs "Real Dog" - Page 1

So, let's get this out of the way. I don't mean to insult those in the sport community, but it seems to me that most working line breeders are breeding dogs that will excel in the sport, but aren't breeding what I would consider real dogs. I see some dogs that look awesome on the field, but are spooky off the field in addition to having environmental issues. Again, this is not to disparage any of those involved in IPO. I have a lot of respect for people that devote the time and have the skill to do amazing things with their dogs. I just feel that this will ultimately be to the detriment of the GSD.

A very original and fresh concept, Joe what you Smokin?

Und taeglich gruesst das Murmeltier!

How many times do we have to go through this?

Only until the internet stops.

I think he means breeder's of dark sable dogs who focus on color only are ruining the breed.

I understand (certainly now) that this has been discussed and debated for a long time. I should have been more clear.

I met an IPO trainer, who by all accounts is a great trainer (GT). GT told me that the dogs produced today are far better than the dogs of 20 years ago. I pushed back and asked if they were better dogs or just better for the sport. GT said the dogs that make it to the nationals and above are "real dogs". I haven't been exposed to high level dogs like this, so I can't debate GT. I am curious to here differing opinions, but please let's here your background. What's the basis of your opinion? I admit I'm a novice and am eager to learn and understand.

Better trainers can train any dog to be better. They are in control of the dog aggression at all times. The "real" dog claims are genetics fans that claim their dog is an awesome natural without needing a better trainer, usually knows bad guys instantly, maybe any stranger, too, and wants to cause serious bloodletting at all times.

I have spectated WUSV IPO and I read a lot.

In the same sense that there are dogs in IPO with weird quirks off the field…there are below standard dogs working the streets. Overall, today’s dogs definitely have more power, speed, drive, etc on average than the dogs of decades ago. Today, dogs are more visible and many many many more club level or dogs that are “just training and will never title” are available to watch on the internet. You can really only find the best of the best from decades ago to watch. People watch a club level dog and think that all the dogs are like that…then rampage on the internet about how bad the performance is and that the dog is still somehow titled. This has happened for decades, just that there wasn’t internet to see those dogs and then rage about to the rest of the world.

Remember…95% of IPO dogs are family pets that someone takes to training once a week. It’s something they do for fun, and they don’t care about how the dog actually stacks up against others. Most aren’t looking to breed their dog and they don’t think about those other things. They look at it as something to do WITH their dog. Most people aren’t buying a dog with IPO in mind (they might their second or their third, but the first is usually not purchased with the sport/breeding in mind). Most people aren’t going to get rid of their pets and get a new dog because it has certain quirks on or off the IPO field, so they keep training and most importantly loving the dog that they have. It’s possible that in prior decades the majority of people involved in IPO/Schutzhund were much more serious about it and truly did it for the breed…today, that’s just not the case and the majority of people doing IPO are just there to train their dog in a sport and enjoy the company of other people that like the sport as well.

BW

What are considered "quirks off the the field"?

Thanks for the constructive input BW?