Hard dogs - Page 1

A hard dog defined as alpha type dogs, with natural aggression, and difficult to handle for that reason. I was wondering what people's preference for that type of dog are and why? Do you think you see that type of dog in the sport as it is today?

I've found IF and WHEN you earn a hard dog's respect, and not through compulsions or "beating into submission," but through being a firm, consistent, and trustworthy partner... no dog will ever work so reliably, or with so much heart, as a hard dog will for his (or her) partner.

I have a dog that I consider to be hard. He's unbothered by corrections or physical pain such as broken toe or swollen eye, and still be able to work enthusiastically for the handler in drive, even to further aggravate such discomfort, which he never shows. He's not at all hard to handle, quite the contrary. His sire is lauded as "the hardest dog I've ever met" by the owner of the Tiekerhook kennel. I've very rarely ever had to correct this dog, but on such ocassion he does not shut down, instead rebounds with greater effort. I consider him to be handler sensitive, but handler hard. Responsive, but not soft.

I'm referring to hard, as "hard to handle" due to dog being alpha and civil/aggressive. There are dogs that are hard because they're in a very high state of prey, so strong corrections don't weaken the drive. More interested in the dog that is aggressive, and how relating to the animal is more of an alpha contest. Some of these dogs are impossible to work with and can be in fact very difficult to live with. Does anyone know of alpha dogs here in the states that produce well?

Sounds like plain bad manners to me, accompanied with independence and stubborness. My said dog has much social or civil aggression, and fight drive too. Don't doubt it. It's just never directed at the handler. We are a team. Why should you want otherwise, or especially, to breed apart from that?

A hard dog defined as alpha type dogs, with natural aggression, and difficult to handle for that reason. 

That is not how I would define a hard dog. 
 

Misplaced aggression sounds more like weak nerves to me.

Not sure what the right term that defines a dominant, aggressive dog would be; the type of dog used for patrol work, prison systems, security, with high territorial instincts... Does anyone work a dog like that in the sport? Not trying to describe a psychotic dog here, just serious type dog, social but "don't pet me" if you are a stranger...

I always thought a hard dog wa sa dog as the OP described.  But, I am new.

I know that is the exact description I would have given for a hard dog as well.

A hard dog defined as alpha type dogs, with natural aggression, and difficult to handle for that reason.

I think the OP might mean (and I by no means want to put words in their mouth) that a hard dog would be a dog that a new german shepherd owner (meaning inexperienced) might define in the above way.

To an inexperienced person, a "hard dog" would be an alpha type of puppy. Maybe I would substitute the words extremely confident and confrontational (meaning does not back down easily when challenged and able to exert leadership if not helped to understand the boundaries) instead of aggressive. Plus, I think a "hard dog" would be very difficult to handle for someone who does not have experience.

I have read people who own "hard dogs" who say you cannot even look these dogs in the eye for a minute..even to quickly say how pretty they are or they will growl.

I can see where in the right hands this type of dog would be AWESOME in sport but I can also see that this type of dog is not for everyone!!

In fact, I was just reading how people think they wanted a hard drive working line dog and then were like, "oh, crap. I just don't have the skills or experience to channel and handle this type of animal".

So, I am just looking at it from that side..... 

Never implied misplaced aggression... But aggression as referred to in the theory of aggression and submissive behavior, something that intuitively goes more along being "hard" and "soft" and I understand that in the realm of working dogs you can have a hard dog when it comes to the work, but soft with the handler; it is my experience, the independent dog with high suspicion and civil instincts is the type of dog that bonds for a lifetime; the bonding process is lengthy and requires an individual with a very strong personality and character, sort of the opposite of the typical working dog of today that bonds almost instantly, still "hard" and all that, excellent workers, but almost devoid of personality...