Discernment - Page 12

IMO most haphazardly bred dogs are bred for no reason at all other than to produce puppies to make money. What do BYB's know about anything else?

Joan, I KNOW she'a good example...that's why I posted about her!

She has what the schutzhund (sport) people are looking for: tons of drive, goes crazy for a tug and flirt pole, and has a great nose for tracking. On her third ever track, she followed my scent right past the article (to heck with the hotdog bits!) and off the end of the track.. (We're still working on article indication!)

She has all the right drives to do very well in the sport, but the prey drive just goes too far! What I'm trying to point out is  it's a fine line between what's good for the sport, and what makes a dog a danger to others. And THAT is where it's important to breed for things like discernment, instead of selecting just for prey drive.

So far she is doing fine with an on-leash down-stay at the side of the field while someone practices their BH routine, and she did fine when we practiced the traffic-steady portion of the BH, with the dogs in fairly close proximity to each other, so there is hope training and repetition can overcome it. But I would NEVER EVER trust her around small dogs or children, except under very close on-leash supervision.

Do you ever feel like you're caught it a rip tide with her? LOL
I'm not doubting your progress with her. But the contradiction and problem is when you say she has all the right drives for the sport, and that there's a fine line between good sport dog and danger to others. The "sport" is supposed to epitomize the character of the GSD. This is where breeding for "sport" is changing the character of the breed.

Do you ever feel like you're caught it a rip tide with her?

  [sigh!]

This is where breeding for "sport" is changing the character of the breed.

EXACTLY!

No, this changing of the breed has made better dogs, the decrease of our breed in working vocations and the elevation of other breeds in their place does not reflect anything. Everyone has thoughts and opinions on this, I am just glad that I have had opportunity to have worked dogs in real situations then and now to not have to rely on speculation and theory. I will say this, German Shepherds are prettier today than they have ever been. Does beauty translate into working traits, I am sure there are some theorist that can articulate a reasoning for this.....because in today's world you do not have to have widespread corroboration to validate an opinion.

P.S. the rolling eye emoticon is THIS  one, Gustav!

Am I that obvious.....lol, and I also want to make it clear when I speak of beauty in Breed, I am talking about show and sport, I know how sensitive people get, that don't understand what I am saying. Doesn't make me right or wrong, but I do want it to be clear....lolol 
You know, over the years I have seen many many many police/military dogs, worked a few also, I am always amazed at the structure of some of the really great PSD dogs over the years and how I can reconcile the fact that their structure( based on what I have learned from conformation geeks) makes them incapable of extensive working. I mean like the horrible croups, shoulders, lack of angulation, light eyes, square body, faded pigment, high rear, and on and on and on. And as the years go on I keep waiting for these dogs to slip in competency because of the things I have been scientifically taught is necessary for the dog to be what it should. I really have a problem lying to myself about what I see because others are adamant about it. I am even less appreciative about what I DON'T see that is supposed to be so right in the working world. It's like this issue of discernment, I guess at this point I am just a confused old man....lol.....and I realize that happens.
nice thread everyone, I am glad it stayed civil and informative.

Introspective and enlightening thread, Gustav. Thank you for being so thought provoking.

What is the deal here about all the dislikes? Do you people really not want to know the truth? Must be more than that cause Joan got 3 dislikes just for saying she liked Gustav's post. Good Grief Charlie Brown!!!!!!  I know I will get a dislike for this one and I could care less. The ones that are on  what the real gsd is about please keep up the good work. We need more like you................

i did not realize there was a like/dislike option available, what is this, facebook?