New here just saying Hi from AZ - Page 1

Weather's great here folks!  No white Christmas for us - well maybe in Flag - but I live in SW valley outside of Phx.  I just adopted a yr old neutered Mal from a "breeder".  I have been a vet tech for over 20 yrs, have had horses for over 40 and have had so many breeds of dogs, mostly large, that too many to count.  My step-mom had the first springer spaniel in US with conformation title and tracking degree so was raised with training dogs.  I have primarily had rotties, dobes and boxers and done obed and search and rescue.  Just got the papers and pedigree on my dog, so entered it on here - what a pain. 

Have a question - I have a friend with a shepherd that is doing schutzhund/protection work and I go with her just to watch.  The dog I got had never been out of his 2 acre yard nor been properly socialized - thus scared of loud noises, other dogs, etc (timid).  The trainer at the club is supposed to have been a top trainer for 20 years and is very good.  These guys work their dogs at least 5-6 days a week.  These dogs bark incessantly, are wired all the time although a bunch of sweeties.  Two of the top dogs are mallies.  They say the breed is very high energy, can't sit still, drive them nuts at home.  My dog, on the other hand, is well mannered, quiet, is working well in obedience (in class with 200 dogs on the field), goes everywhere with me and my rat terriers in my truck and is a very nice dog.  He does have a huge yard to play in and does run with some of my 9 other dogs.  Is this the norm or is theirs?  Mine I'm finding is more conformation, obedience and herding bred until back in the pedigree where the dogs have sch and ring sport titles.

We have 2 1/2 irrigated acres, have some herding dogs for our once herd of 150 head of goats (now only 5), a rottie, 2 ratties, a LH mini doxie a JRT, 3 border collie/aussie/kelpie x and a ACD.  Also, have 2 quarter horses - a roper and a reiner and 2 minis and various other farm animals.

Welcome!

So, What's your dog's pedigree? :) 

If you've got a showline, as it sounds, a lower drive calmer dog with more nerve is to be expected. A working/sport bred mal in general is going to be higher drive, higher energy, and more wired. However, it does matter how you live with them, and how you train them. My high drive mals listen when I tell them to knock it off and go lay down, they don't drive me nuts all the time.

Also, you are seeing dogs at the club, where they are expected to be up and working. At home may be entiely different. A lot of them can be taught to turn it off and chill.

I just entered his pedigree on here so would love to hear from anyone that knows the lines or breeders.  His name is Singer's Red Samuel (real original),  I know the Crocs-Blanc(s) kennel is a big time team of 2 ladies - a Martine Romeo or Romero and Daniele Daugherty - primarily breed conf. and obed. 3rd gen is where you will first see and ring sport of schutz titles and import dogs.  The Singer is a small breeder in Chandler, AZ with only 2-4 dogs and says they do protection work but?????  Any comments appreciated.

Glancing through really fast, everything I see in there is a show line... And I only see one SchH II at like 5 generations back?

Just based on that, it is not a dog I would get for any of the bite sports or protection training. He might be able to do it, can't tell without seeing the individual dog really, but the pedigree is stacked against it.

But it sounds that you like him, and you've got a really nice pet and OB prospect, and maybe herding ability, so enjoy him for what he is.

Thanks for the answer.  That's kinda what I thought.  I have no desire to do Sch or protective work as I really don't think this dog does have the nerve or the temperament for it.  I do want to do obed and possibly tracking with him.  As he gets to know me more, the more attached he is becoming and outgoing he is getting, with all the dragging around I do with him.

I sincerely appreciate you taking the time to look at his pedigree and tell me your thoughts.