drive or grip? - Page 5

Animules I sure will.

John--- if you ever fly me out to show you how to do PSA, then get some stones (and I ever get a dog ready) we can trail together and find out who the best trainer is........lol cuz I ain't doin' no Sch  I appreciate your input. It is nice to bounce things off of other people who know what they are doing.

Ok guys and dolls, it been fun chatting it up. Thanks for helping me with my decision. I will be out for 3 weeks getting my ass kicked for 8 hours a day so I can be certified on how to teach cops to "defend themselves"

Take care and I will be back with some video in a couple of months.

Gard

I know you already made up your mind, but I agree with 4pack's original post.  Why not look for a #3?  Why comprimise on one dog that has partial characteristics.  #1 and #2 combined are a great #3 out there, that you are not even considering.  Sure the pedigree has you hot and bothered, but that's just paper.  Excellent sport dogs are enough work even if they have all the attributes required to succeed.  Why compromise and take one characteristic over the other?  Why not find a nice dog with crazy drive and a full, calm grip?

It just seems like you have put alot of effort into finding a nice dog and I can't imagine limiting myself to these two dogs.  Its kinda like saying, "Which girl do I marry? Susan is very nice, honest, makes me laugh and I feel like I can thell her anything, but she is not much to look at.  Heather, on the other hand, Is a 10!  A knockout, but she is kinda boring, selfish, and can only count to 10."     

I'm with sueincc. I would normally want the dog with higher drive. No reason why you can't develop grip in a good dog. However, "hectic", nutty dogs that nearly hang themselves at the end of a lead, screaming and flipping around are just not for me. No way. In that case I'd take #2.

I suppose a lot would have to do with the age of the dogs in question. An older pup with a kennel raising and not a lot of time put into it might give the impression of being not as drivey because the dog has become very independent. With some bonding the drive will resurface. 

I have seen young puppies go bonkers for a rag, then when I come in to touch them, drop it and walk away.  Now, I did not read that as avoidance, these were confident pups. Again, independent puppies who needed more handling and interaction and wanted to play on their terms.

Now, these observations have only been with showline dogs.  Outside of training workingline dogs that are in pet homes, my experience with them in somewhat limited.  But you asked, so that's what I'd look for.