Breed survey - Page 1

I am going to breed survey my dog in November.  This is my first breed survey as far as participating.  I've attended many SV shows (participated in six) and have attended two breed surveys (without participating) and they were very different from each other so I am not sure what to expect.  This event has a trial, show, and survey.  However my dog is *not* entered in the show.  He is 4 years old so I understand he is not eligable for his V rating until *after* he does the breed survey, so I figured it would be a waste of money to show him the day before when we already have an SG show card (from when he was 13 months old).  I do intend to continue showing him after the breed survey (he is also a UKC Champion with one win towards his GRCH and I will continue that as well).  The last breed survey I attended, the judge never looked at the dogs in the show ring (and this is the same judge I am doing my survey with).  They did the bitework, then stood for exam in front of him and that was it.  However, at that event all of the dogs in the survey had also been in the show the day before.  My assumption was that since he had just seen them that is why he did not use the ring.  The other breed survey I observe, the judge had the dogs do the bitework and then go into the ring and do gaiting, walking, etc. as if it were a show class.  Is this the usual?  I was planning on doing more ring training with my dog, assuming he will have to go in the show ring for his survey since he's not in the show.  Also if you have any general tips that would be appreciated.

NO one here has ever done a breed survey?  Where do all these "SchH3 KKL1" males come from?  (don't answer that..... lol)

Did the life time on my dog in December. Not really much to say. Dog needs to heel off leash for a few steps, do the bites and out.

Judge will check teeth, testicles, etc. and evaluate standing and moving.

good luck,
Rik

I'm not worried about the protection stuff, more the show stuff.  I haven't shown this particular dog in the SV ring since he was 13 months but I'm not really sure what exactly the breed survey involves as far as the show stuff or is it entirely up to the judge?  Like I said, one judge did it like an actual show class (normal paces, fast paces, gun fire, off leash, stand for exam, etc) and the other judge did not do anything at all, just the bite work and then had the dog stacked while he wrote out the survey.

No hard and fast answer. But since your dog will not show, plan on him being examined during survey. Even though it may only be a lap or two, I would want to make sure the dog makes the most of his opportunity. It would be a shame to go to the time and expense and the dog be unruly on gait or stand.


I know it's easy to get stressed over something like this. I piddled around until the last month of the year, ended up with a 13 hr. drive (one way) to get it done. Just that and the hotel made it quite expensive. Throw in that she could be stubborn on the out and sometimes break heel and the top of my head was about to come off by the time we finished.

From your posts, it's easy to see that you are taking it serious. Just imagine all that could go wrong and prepare for it. You seem concerned enough that I'm sure you and your dog will be ready.

best,
Rik

Thanks. I don't really see how he can't pass, but that's why I want to show and do the bitework exceptionally well.  I don't want it handed to me just because I showed up with a black and red dog, you know?  I made a point find one hosted by a legitimate working club (national and international level competitors/podium placements and have hosted national level events) and most of the other entries will be working line dogs.  I guess I figure at this level the handler and owner should know what to do and what to expect and not just stand around waiting for the judge but it's confusing when every event I watch is executed very differently.  I have already unofficially shown my dog to the judge who will be doing the survey (we did the AD and then I took him out and showed a few things to the judge that I was wondering about and he said it was all fine).  I want to do it right since like you say it's basically a three day trip for us plus the cost of the entry and all the paperwork and training that went into obtaining the requirements.  I just don't want to show up and realize I've forgotten something important or wasn't prepared.  Hopefully I don't get crap for "only" have a SchH1 but I train this dog myself nonstop and we do other types of obedience and protection training and titles and just have not had time for the level of preparation I'd like.  He could probably pass any day but I'm looking to progressively improve on my scores in all three phases and have not had access to decent helperwork as often as I'd like.

This is my dog, he's show line but always fits in better with working lines (maybe because I actually train and work him in several sports).  He's got more moderate conformation, not a super mover but he's very balanced and opens correctly in the shoulder. SG U-CH Alta-Tollhaus Bono SCHH1 AD T1 FO PA CL1-R U-CA UJJ TF-II HIT TT CGC

Now, that is one nice looking dog! (I checked his pedigree picture to see him stacked.)
And what an impressive list of titles, too!

I prefer a dog that's moderate in angulation and has a relatively straight topline.

Best of luck with the breed survey! I'm sure you'll do fine. Just don't let your nerves get the better of you! 

Thanks.  That stacked picture is from when he was just 1 year old so he's more mature now.  I prefer that form follow function.  I picked him at 7 weeks because he was smaller (not too small, but not too big, so IMO "correct"!) and shorter coupled.  I'm OK with a dog that's more on the square side than too long, since I do agility, flyball, and lots of dog sports.

Hi VKGSD's,

From what I know a breed survey is an evaluation of a dog ,
for breeding purposes.

The breed surveyor will evaluate every aspect of the dog, i e ,Character ,
temperament.The mouth and  bite,Every conformation point, movement, Gun Test,etc.

Upon completion, the dog will be graded, Class 1,Class2 or failed..

Please refer to the ,' German Shepherd Dog Council of  Australia " web site
and the links, it's a fantastic site  with the info you seek.

I did one breed survey where we did have to take the dogs into the ring, they were all gaited - not a lot like a show - but several times around the ring.  Then we did the stand for exam in the ring, the judge went over the dog etc...

I also did another breed survey where we did not go into a ring at all, in fact the ring (from the show the day before) was not even up any longer.  The judge did have us do an "up and back" with the dog, and stand for exam while he went over the dogs and gave the critique.  

I think it just depends on the judge and situation.