why the disdain? - Page 2

Keith, I definitely have nothing against Schutzhund, and I like watching people trian for it, and compete  It's just from some comments I've seen on this board some members seem to think it's the ONLY way to work a dog. 

Jenni78, I agree wholeheartedly that not all GSDs are meant to be bred and I would never breed my GSD because I clearly understand that although I think he's wonderful, he is not a true example, physically, of what a GSD should be. I absolutely get the impression that your GSDs and your breeding program are very special and important to you. Jennifer

 Before I had my son, my dogs came with me to work all the time. I was a Realtor, and they came to most of my showings where I met clients (obviously they did not come when I had my clients riding with me, lol). There was always a dog or two in the office with me, too. It kept them stimulated mentally enough that working long hours didn't take its toll on them and make them stir crazy. Then, when I left to be a  sales manager at a condo complex, they came with me, a couple at a time, and may have been spotted a time or two in the pool...don't tell the health dept. ;-)  

There's no reason more "working dog people" couldn't do this w/their dogs if their situation allowed it, and yes, you're correct, that it does make them feel valued, useful, whatever else a dog needs to feel, far more so, imo, than being kenneled except for formal training. Basically, they just want to be with you, titled or not, "breedworthy" or not. I think there is a level of stability needed to do these kind of daily tasks and not be a liability that is somewhat understated. You're right; many "pets" are not couch potatoes, but many pets lack the stability to do as you do, and as I did (back in the day when I had a job, lol). 

As has been said, the disdain is really about breeding such animals who are NOT suited for anything but being a companion; it's not that being a companion is looked down upon in and of itself. 

Oh, I think there are a few here that consider "pet" to be the ultimate insult, usually the insecure ones, IMHO The ones who need to put someone down just to elevate  themselves, I've seen it often enough. It used to bother me, but now it usually just proves they are the ones with a character weakness, certainly not MY PET DOG.

Get out!  Are you implying that some people are living vicariously through their dogs?  I'm shocked!

Jenni78, I'd much rather swim in a pool where dogs have been than certain people, lol. Beetree, I think I will follow your lead and try not to let it bother me. Keith, I like your style, lol!

Not sure the health dept. would agree, but I sure agree! LOL 

For the record, I didn't put them in the pool; they became bored one day when I was taking an extra long time showing a model and left my office. I looked all over for them frantically until I saw them through the window, paddling around the indoor pool. Thankfully, no inspection occurred that day, or I'm quite sure I'd have been out of a job! 

Beetree, yeah, I guess that's true. I think of it a bit differently; if I say a dog I'm selling could be a pet, it usually means an especially well-rounded dog, not a dog of lesser quality. I would never pawn off an inferior dog to someone trusting this animal with their family, children, grandchildren, etc. I tend to be a bit picky about temperament, though. I think some distinction should be made between "pet quality" as a nice way to say "physical flaw or temperamental flaw not suitable for breeding" and "pet/companion" meaning a dog who is a jack of all trades, so to speak. Maybe he can do club level sport, hell, maybe even high level sport, and come home and hang out w/the kids at night. I have several pups doing exceptionally well at SchH for their ages. Every one of them lives in the home, with children. They are stable, well-adjusted, well-rounded dogs, as I think all should be. 

I guess it's all how you view the words. 

 I don,t believe that schutzhund is the end all be all I actually believe it,s the starting point. The test is (or was) designed to show a dogs trainability and depth of drives and general physical abaiity and mental stability. It,s been watered down so much for the "sport" and to make it easier for lessor dogs to title that it,s design of a real test is questionable.  

That being said a properly trained and test GSD should be fit for any further venue of work.

I train with some top competitors in the sport and I also have to say to be competitive at these levels it IS work.

I have trained a dog in Schutzhund, K9, and SAR.  All of my dogs have decent pedigrees.  All are great working dogs.  They did great with all the working/temperment testing but 2 out of the 3 ended up with genetic health problems that no one tested for in the lineages.  There is more to a good dog than working/temperment although these are very important.

I have a good friend who breeds working dogs. She wants a dog that is physically and mentally capable of working.  She has titled many of her dogs internationally. She wants to concentrate on good breeding.  She doesn't advertise working dogs or champion dogs.  She goes by reputation and not advertising.  She only has a litter when she has enough people interested, she is not in this to make money but to better a breed she loves.  She will not guarantee a pup as a potential champion or working dog (although she does guarantee their health), she says she has great "pet" quality pups and more often then not, she is "lucky" with a litter that produces champions.  She has been in breeding for over 30 years and is my dog's vet, she teaches at the local university and is known for her knowledge of canine genetics and temperment.  When it comes to breeding, she is a big stickler for breeding good dogs to good dogs and never linebreeds dogs that aren't removed by at least 5 generations.  This is what has worked for her very well.  She always says a great dog is one that makes its owner happy no matter what the dog is used for.