Priorities choosing titled dog - Page 2

GARD, thanks so much for your advice. I requested a protaction video of two different dogs. Got one of them today and now have some questions. Does anyone mind if I post a link? 

Sorry, I meant protection video.

Why would we mind? The owner might if it's bad...lol

I don't think the video is bad, but I never see the dog "out" she is always given the sleeve.  this correct for a SchH1 titled dog? The video was taken today so the dog is already titled. www.myvideo.de/watch/1890972Is

Before I give my critique I have a couple of questions.

1) What are your top three goals for the dog? Be specific.

2) The video says 18 months at the top and you said the dog is Sch 1. Is the dog only 18 months?

Anser these questions for me and I will give my humble opinion.

triodegirl, theirs nothing wrong with that dog in the video. The bitches obedience is very good and her protection also very good as well.

I assume you're wanting to get this dog?

By the way.. hows her obedience? whats her scorebook like?

My number one goal is to find a trained dog with good basic foundation work that could possibly compete at a local level someday. Next I want a dog that is happy, healthy and well balanced and would fit into my lifestyle.  I see a happy dog but not sure there is a lot of intensity there. I would hope the dog had enough potential to possibly earn SchH2 someday. I'm really a novice here, but certain aspects of the video made me think the dog was just beginning, not SchH1 level. At least not the SchH1 dogs that I have seen.

The dog is now 19 months old. Is she old enough to even be titled?  

Here's a video taken at 16 months when Boa was in training for obedience. www.myvideo.de/watch/1878611  Her SCHH! scores are 90-91-89. I do like Boa, just don't trust my evaluation skills as they are usually wrong ;-)

 She's not a bad dog and is still young. I don't see a potential man stopper, but that is not what you are looking for. From what I am seeing here I son't see why this dog could not compete at the club level and reach a Sch2 and be a nice protection dog. As for the intensity level, she is still pretty young.

I don't know enough about Sch but I heard some people talking at a club the other night about age requirements. Some of the more knowlegeable will have to answer that for you. I would ask to see a video of her tracking and a copy of her scorebook. I am sure she is not cheap so that is not too much to ask.

I have heard in Germany they have what is known as a "Box Title". A box title means the dog got a title and never came out of the box. I am not saying this is the case. I do not know these people nor am I suggesting this is the case with this dog. I have just heard from knowlegeable people this happens.

There are only two negative things that really stood out for me in these videos. The first is the difference in the dog's relationship with the different handlers. With the female handler she is more upbeat. With the male handler she is a little stressed. You can see when they are heeling, her ears are laid back. It is probably because the female handler is the one who trained her coupled with the stress of having to do a little bite work with a decoy on the field. Not anything I would be too worried about.

The second thing is what I saw in the drive. If you look, after the intitial bite, she swings her body out and away from the decoy's upper body. He had to swing her around to get her in the "pocket" She tried to get out again, then settled and took the stick hit. This means she is a little unsure of herself and was stressed under the pressure. Believe me I have seen much worse and again she is still a young dog.

I don't think you would be dissappointed with her if you are really honest with yourself about what your goals are. Many people start out with moderate expectations, then get into it and want to go higher. Nothing wrong with that but don't be dissappointed if you can only get as far as your original expectations.

Again she is not a bad little dog and I think would do just fine for what you are asking for. It would be interesting to see the other dog.......

Good luck.

GARD, I really appreciate the feedback. You are correct that I am not looking for a man stopper but instead a feisty little pocket rocket :-) 

I was told there is no video of the other dog and wont be.