Schutzhund,,, THE BE ALL! - Page 2

Here is what the HGH Trial says about the grip. In every flock there are sheep who have little or no respect even for a HGH and they will test the dog. In order to gain their respect the HGH has to use a grip occasionally. In order to achieve the proper effect, the grip must be brief, fast, with the full mouth, and only with the necessary amount of pressure. Many unnecessary grips are faulty work. The HGH must move with the sheep while gripping. It must not tear the sheep's flesh. There should be no injuries. Grips on the back of the thigh, on the back of the neck and on the ribs are allowed. When the handler gives the command to grip, the HGH immediately must go in and grip. It must not hesitate. One or two commands should be enough. The dog must release immediately upon command. The HGH must be able to earn respect from tough adult sheep and also be able to tend lambs. The bark is not strong enough force from a HGH. Mistakes/Faults: HGH is afraid HGH does not grip HGH grips too often HGH tears HGH grips too long HGH injures sheep HGH ignores lambs Grip is too hard

Winnie, where can I get more info on HGH. Thank you.

Max von Stephanitz rolling in his grave because the schutzhund rules have been relaxed??? In the past I have, on a couple of occasions made references to the "two chapters in his book" on schutzhund. NEVER got a reaction---- Today, I ask; WHY does one suppose he didn't name it the German Schutzhund Dog". It is, in fact--- The GERMAN SHEPHERD DOG!! Max, (We are on a first name basis), founded the SV in 1899, about a working breed that HE was in the process of developing. HE "dictated"!!! It was NOT democratic! He published his book in 1925--- written, I am sure, over many years. Can ANYONE tell me when the "SPORT" of schutzhund was developed to "test" the dogs? There is NO mention in his book. The book is about "Shepherd Dogs" and dogs working in the service of man. I think, personally, that the "test" came much later and those that refer to schutzhund as "the work" are VERY arrogantly "narrow minded". The "Noblest of GOD'S special creatures" is sold short by too many. This breed is capable of MORE than any other breed ever imagined! And before you get bit-----THINK----- tending a flock or a child in the yard---- Is WORK!! JMHO -- Morgan

He called it a working dog; he never referred to it as a show dog. (Not trying to poop in anyone's Wheaties.)

People also forget that certain traits are not passed on exclusively. A SchH dog will not re-produce only SchH dogs. A K9 will not only re-produce K9s. A dog with strong nerves will not only re-produce dogs with strong nerves, and so on. We need the different characters and the different temperaments in the GSD in order to maintain its versatility, which has always been the hallmark of the breed. The GSD performs many services. The SchH "test" was implemented as a unified way to evaluate and compare overall worthyness. Like a college degree. Does every college degree automatically mean that the person who has one is better qualified? If that was the case then why are there so many people flipping burgers or driving cabs with a degree in their pockets? Same with the dogs. Its not the end-all, it is a guideline. Dogs have litters for a reason. In a pack all the jobs need to be filled that a pack needs to fill. Can't all be alphas, or betas striving to be alphas. Need the little soldiers and the nannys and the ones that just make up strength in numbers too. Human breeding efforts interfere with the natural selection process. We breed with dogs that may naturally never breed. There was a thread a short while ago about a male not wanting to breed. Well, not every male would breed. Such a dog may be intimidated by other males present, or by strong females. Or he may just be too young still and not established or mature enough, not have enough confidence yet to approach a female for breeding. It is the female in wild dog and wolves packs that usually choses who she mates with at the time of estrus. She may well mate with all the top males in the pack but only her choice when the time fits. That way all the males have a vested interest in making sure the pups survive. Could be theirs after all. We interfere with all of that. We pick certain traits that we see as the best fit. A good working dog may be the ideal beta or omega dog in a pack structure though because he does his job so well, does the alphas bidding. A typical alpha is NOT the most aggressive or mean or 'real' dog. It is the most sovereign dog, who preserves strength for when needed and does not waste it on unnecessary demonstrations. The typical beta striving for more is usually the one always putting on the grand display. Looking like that supposed 'real' dog. Most people pay attention to jobs well done and a great display, and breed with that. Some food for thought...

spook101, yet Siegershows were held immideately once the breed and breed club was brought into existence. Who did that I wonder????

Sieger shows may have well been held immideatly once the breed club was brought into existance but they were a LOT different than those of today. That is the problem. What started out to improve/have good structure for the WORKING dog is now turned around. The working side is the 'minimual' and the show side is the be all end all. (for some). The dog may have just enough 'working' traits to sqeak by (or not) so that they are allowed to show in the sieger part and place well. Course the 'ideal' is a good working dog with good structure. However 'structure' is VERY subjective. Course....some may say the same about SchH.

Spook, a good site to check out for the HGH and other information on the boundary dog is Ellen Nickelsburg's site. If you write that into google it should come up. She has the HGH trial information on her site.

Schutzhund was the way to root out dogs that are fear biters... dogs that were breed only for the SPORT of rings to prove its power and might. The Protection phase is only one part to determine the INTELLIGENCE of the GSD. Why bite when the dog can do something else ... he must only bite when warranted and is necessary.

Well said D.H. ...