Which breed makes the best working dog for detection and protection work? - Page 2

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Rik

by Rik on 27 April 2021 - 19:04

HD, back when I was seriously trying to find a dog for SCH. my daughter had a close friend who was a Deputy Sheriff. She and her brother, who was also a deputy, bred Mals for LE work. so , of course, I went to visit.

when I explained what I was looking for, her only advice was "You don't want one of these dogs" I took her at her advice.

that was, of course, before I became a "sexist".

Rik

by GSCat on 27 April 2021 - 21:04

If a high drive dog is needed/desired for specific purpose(s) having another dog plus a fenced yard makes a huge difference in livability in the house. The second dog needs to be able to keep up with the first dog, so whether they're both K9s working out of a patrol car/etc. for separate/complimentary roles, or the one dog is a little lower drive stay-at- home as property/family protection while handler and the K9 are at work, but runs off his/her energy playing with the other dog running off his/her energy when handler and he/she comes home from work. They need to be trained to work together, as well as individually, so if both are home if something happens they don't get in each other's way.

Hope that made sense lol

My civil/high drive Czech GSD loved "her" cat (now deceased). He was full-grown when I brought the dog home as a 9 week-old puppy and they were able to work things out, except it would've been easier/better if the cat hadn't been declawed (adopted that way). Having the cat in the house with the dog made a huge difference, but the puppy had to be taught the difference between indoor and outdoor play/etc. She still misses "her" cat . . .


Koots

by Koots on 27 April 2021 - 21:04

In Canada, the RCMP breeding program is all GSD (AFAIK) and a lot of the K9's in the Vancouver area are GSD's.

IMO, the best dog is the one most suitable for the work, despite breed.

by astrovan2487 on 27 April 2021 - 22:04

Appreciate all the info, all good things to keep in mind. My current dog has spinal issues and is getting older, I'll continue working her as long as she wants to work but really need another dog to split up bigger searches and take over if she cant work. The two dogs would essentially be having the same roles, both would do searches and I'd take both to clubs for sport training. I've got a pretty unique situation, on a farm, no kids, lots of time to spend training so even if it turned out the dog had no off switch I could still make it work.

by ValK on 27 April 2021 - 22:04

i was blessed to be around, get plenty of experience and own the dogs, who was bred not for show, sport or to be family pets but for day by day practical utilization on the border. thus i absolutely firm in my believe - the best in it's own multipurpose applications is GSD breed when properly selected and bred.

b.t.w. as for "switch off" - dogs with absence of such typically aren't really bright ones in respect of intellect.

by GSCat on 27 April 2021 - 23:04

Absence of an off switch can be an indicator of not enough exercise and/or mental stimulation and/or the right reward to train same hasn't be found/used. Some dogs, it's hard to find a reward that's high enough value to outweigh the reward of clowning, etc. Although some dogs just don't have said switch. Siberian Huskies, as a breed, especially Racing Lines, are notorious for this.
 

I had a Siberian Husky that could track/find *anything*  Her endurance, stamina, refusal to quit, and competitive spirit made her particularly valuable if there wasn't another dog to spell her or help with a large area, or if weather/environmental conditions were bad.  But to get to her off switch away from work at the house, I had to both mentally and physically wear her out.  Work, she was all business.


Hired Dog

by Hired Dog on 28 April 2021 - 10:04

One of the worst things you can do is allow your working dog to run crazy with another dog or cat or donkey...
Your work dog needs to believe that work IS the most fun it will do in its life, not play with another dog.
I have no problem with a working dog interacting with the pet animal at home, hanging out together, whatever, but, work must be the highest form of fun that working dog can have, end of.
That work dog must also have the time and place to go to and relax, sleep and rest for the next work day, not spend it running around, chasing another animal or a ball or being stressed with activities that do not serve any purpose.
There is a reason US Customs does not take their dogs at home and leave them in a kennel off duty. They get bored and the only fun they have is while at work where detection is looked at as a game.

by duke1965 on 28 April 2021 - 12:04

HD what we call work is allways a game for dogs

Hired Dog

by Hired Dog on 28 April 2021 - 12:04

Duke, in detection work, I agree with you 100%, in patrol work, however, I do not want a dog that is looking at a genuine bad guy as a chance to play a game. I want a dog that is serious and willing to hurt that person in order to stop him.

by astrovan2487 on 28 April 2021 - 12:04

Duke just curious what are some of the health issues you are seeing in purebred mals? I don’t know nearly as many mal breeders as GSD but the ones I do know seem to have pretty healthy, durable dogs.

I don’t really want the dog playing with anyone but me, they can hang out but the thought of two high drive dogs playing with each other makes me worry.





 


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