Schutzhund,,, THE BE ALL! - Page 3

The problem is not in the test, it is in the interpretation (judging) the results of those tests..... Eric LUKE

Excellent post DH. Your points on the HGH and the strengths that are required to be a good herding dog are forgotten by many breeders. Sch is not the problem, nor the be all, as your post so eloquently expressed. The GSD is a versatile dog with many variations of temperament. But whatever the variation of the temperament, I think the dog has to be able to work in some capacity to fulfill Max's dream. Many people forget(or won't admit to themselves)that HGH preceded Sch and if a dog has traits that will allow it to be a good/great HGH dog then that is every bit as good as Sch. Both are good for the dog!!

Thank U GUSTAV... And Winnie, tnx for that information about HGH dogs. All the while I was thinking the GSD was employed to PROTECT Sheep from robbers and thieves ridding on BMW's(made in Germany) two on each bike; stopping over lost LAMB... Barbecueing them together will ice cold BEER(Oktoberfest) just after thr sieger shows. I thought the GSD was supposed to only bite BAD PEOPLE... I was wrong ... There really are BLACK SHEEP among the crowd... and RAMS tend to challenge the Shepherd thats why HGH dogs are needed to bring him down... Know I know // a GSD should bite will full GRIP so not to damage the stock ( but they could also NIBBLE on the sheeps hocks to get them running back to their pens). The GSD should determine if a BITE is needed to bring the RAM down to control him... Thanks Winnie...

P.S. I'm not refering HELPERS as Bad guys... they give the GSD a good show by giving out the sleeve intentionally and good drama and all... I just try to see what the DOG does in order to control the situation...Fearless when challenged... will not waste energy by barking and Bites only when necessary and thinks of a way to win over the situation. Does not go way ahead its handler and OUT when warranted.

Great post, D.H. You have such a wonderful way of disseminating information! I hope I get to meet you in person someday. Perhaps, if I can manage it this year, I'll run into you the the BSZS, or later at the BSP. SS

PJDogs, not sure of your opening statement. If your referring to my coment about Max rolling in his grave if he saw what has happened to his beloved breed, it had nothing to do with Schutzhund. It was only an attempt to point out that what I believe Max had desired his breed to be has been greatly tarnished by the love of money. Popularity seems to bring more harm to a breed in the long run, not that there are not those that do the breed good. Thanks

Olskool--- Relax--- Just used your reference as common--- I use it frequently--- It may be hopeless but I would still like to think it possible that some left fielders can somehow see home plate--- or at least realize their are also center fielders? Too much to ask? How about they just realize there was a home plate at one time and MAX "dictated" it's location---precise location! No, I am NOT a baseball fan-- Spelling police--- jump on this quickly--- adds so much to the thought exchange. Morgan

Eric Luke got it right. The test is fine if the show judges who are mostly big time breeders themselves could be made to keep the bar at the level the rules state. Any person wanting to buy a titled dog should first look to the judges column to see who "granted" these titles. How many times have you been to a trial and high lines are judged by a different standard than the working lines?

Good post, Gustav Conformation wise, many breeders have forgotten what a dog needs to have to work efficiently all day. They can't be over-large/over-angulated or they won't have the stamina to keep going all day. Contrary to what some breeders think, herding dogs just don't trot in straight lines and on flat ground. They need to be agile enough to travel quickly over rough terrain and obstacles, and turn fast when required to handle the sheep. They need to be level-headed to be able to asses situations with the stock and handle them without panic. A dog who successfully works stock has plenty of courage. They have to stand up to a large crowd of animals that are twice their weight, a few of which will try and run them over, plow into them from the side, or slam them into a fence if given the chance. They need to have the courage to protect themselves. A nasty sheep is just as tough an opponent as the SchH helper. The opposite side of that is handling lambs, which normally don't know what the dog wants them to do. The dog has to be gentle enough to move them without hurting them. The dog should work calmly and confidently so the sheep are not panicked by the dog. Scared sheep burn up a lot of nervous energy and don't utilize their feed well (read: wasted money!). The HGH tends the sheep, for the entire time they're out on the graze. That's why they don't have the predatory "eye" and stance of a border collie. The sheep would think they're being hunted the whole time. Border collies are used primarily to move sheep around from place to place, and then they go do something else. They don't stay around and guard the sheep. A GSD with over-abundant prey drive and no sense will make nervous wrecks of the sheep. Unfortunately, many people don't get the opportunity to watch the dogs work sheep. It's amazing when you see the light bulb go on in the dog's head.

Nice post ..Dash2