the evolution of the german shepherd?? - Page 4

Its my understanding that at least the majority of ppl running Herding
training establishments in the US do not have the dog on leash during
the introductory session.  That may seem the safer option but it prevents
the whole thing of judging whether sufficient instinct is present, to keep
the dog on the opposite side of the sheep from the 'shepherd'.

I think they therefore weed out the really likely to be dodgy dogs before
they even see the sheep.  Once in the herding ring, the lead may still be
trailing from the dog to allow it to be stepped on, IF the dog goes to grip
(bite) a sheep.  But you have to be helluver fast - in those circumstances -
if the dog really attacks, to prevent harm.  And accidents can happen, even
to very well-trained and obedient dogs with excellent handlers.

German herding taking a slightly different form, specifically HGH Trainers
may use other methods - but a lot of owners would probably head for one
of the all-breeds training places.

As for your assumption that bad dogs don't get into the breeding pool,  that
was what I meant by the part played by 'kennel  blindness', a condition which
can apply just as much to the owners of titled working dogs as it does to the
Show and Pet breeding equivalents.  Back while the breed (mainly in its
native homeland) was mainly being bred so that there was no question but
that it could be used for herding, what you say is largely true.  [ Though some
exceptions probably took place, even so.  They always do, when ppl are making
the decisions, OR completely abdicate responsibility and allow dogs to mate
as they choose, the other side of the coin.]  But has it been true with a wider
global spread of the GSD, and the wider ownership ?  Of course not.