Schäferhundverein RSV2000 e.V. is member of VDH (FCI) - Page 10

Beetree, doesn't need to be a human standard, just a willingness to accept and provide for a great working breed for which the GS was created. Having the wherewithall and appreciation of a working dog. And if a breeder, recognizing that a working dog should have working traits emphasized, and prioritized first, to maintain the legacy and viability for the breed to continue to be a foremost working dog in today's society. I think you will find the above mentality, of owners and breeders, would ensure that the dog be viewed in the high esteem it was when people primarily focused on these aspects in ownership and breeding.

Okay, I can't fault you at all with the above, really, except perhaps it gets a bit sticky with me of what you mean by "...working traits emphasized, and prioritized first..."  What if I accept and want that in a dog, but don't want to do schutzhund? I'd never want to change the breed's capabilities, even if I don't use every aspect of them as a pet owner of a GSD. I don't want an inferior animal, either. But my animals have the best care, food, love and exercise for as long as they live. Do I cut it in your book, do I deserve to own a GSD?

Of course you should own a GSD. But you should not breed your dogs.

For the last time, Schutzhund is NOT work! It's a sport and the dogs and their trainers and handlers train for "sport" as a team. They are athletes, no work, okay.

Narcotics detection - work
Explosives detection  -work
Customs dog - work
Criminal Apprehension - work
Police Patrol duty - work
Border patrol - work
Military dogs - work
Search and Rescue - work
Cadaver Search - work
Therapy dog - work, a bittoaLITTLE lesser extent than the others mentioned here
Blind assistance dog - work
Medical condition alert (such as heart attack, low blood sugar, diabetes etc...) - work
Odor detection, such as gas leak in a gas pipeline etc... - work

Schutzhund -  sport (although a great base  and sometimes a prerequisite for many work field above).

It used to be a breed suitability test before, meaning if the dog cuts the mustard in Schutzhund and is seen as being of great value to humans it should be bred. Now... it's SPORT, not work.

Herding. You forgot herding as work. It's what the breed was developed for, yes?

Damn! You are right! Herding. When I pressed the damn button I was thinking - what am I missing and there ya go - herding! Essential component and a foundation for many of the other gsd activities.

What I also wanted to add is - what Raiser and others are trying to do with GSD is get that work ABILIT back, which gsd (as a whole) has sort of lost.

That means,they are trying to get all future GSDs with the ABILITy to do everything mentioned above. So, if you have a GSd and you want to do herding, or search and rescue etc... you could, cause it's a working dog. You can just have him on the counch all his life - fine, but if you WANT - You COULD.

That is the essence of Raiser's movement - to get the GSD back to its rightful place - the best and most versatile dogint he world and I wish him much success.

In short, the GSD is, or should be, pound for pound not best at anything, but second best at EVERYTHING.

For example, GSD is a fine retriever, nothing wrong with it's retrieves, you throw something - he brings. But a Retriever (the dog breed)is a GREAT retriever, but that's all it is - a retriever. GSD is more, therefore the best and most versatile dog known to mankind. And raiser wants it back to that lofty spot. It is a goodthing RSV2000 is formed.

Beetree if your dog is capable of working, if placed in different hands or donated to an agency that utilizes GS, (doesn't have to be protection, but must be representative of the breed), then I would say you it sounds like you are a good owner, but I must agree with C Smith in that their are good owners who should not breed dogs. It not about owning a GS, its about wanting or breeding a GS that is not representative of the legacy of the breed. This is what denigrates the dog over time until you have a breed that no longer functions in utility more times than not.

Sorry David, not a supreme working dog but definately a very intelligent dog and in the circumstance of finding the sheep an example of good teamwork with a novice dog.

regards

Mackenzie

How do you say it Missbeeb,"To each his own"!!......peace!