Just got back from a trip to Alaska. While there I spent a little of my time (it wasn't a dog trip) listening to short presentations by mushers. It sparked my interest so I picked up a book about dogs in the past in Alaska and browsed through a couple that had information on the history of mushing.
It does seem that the dogs had (in some small way still do) a great impact on the settling of Alaska. Horses didn't do well. They were basically beasts of burdon and were used for hauling both with sleds and as pack animals. Nothing new here for those of us interested in the history of working dogs, dogs have pulled small cannon, hauled food and equipemnt, carted milk and other agricultural products in many places in the past.
What really struck me was the mushers comments about todays dogs. Mushing it seems has three kinds of races that the enthusiast participates in. The big ones we hear about, the Iditarod, the serum run, etc. Mid range races of much shorter duration, and sprints (a short course that is all about speed).
The dogs that participate in these events have differences. They are all mutts (oh not really any more mutts than the KNPV unregistered dogs we see, but lack the pedigree books and beauty contests and breed standards that are published to make people desire these animals as ornamentation). But they are very specific to the task and those tasks are versions of a sport. Smaller, less coated animals they actually need vests to help withh temperture regulation, and the sprinters wouldn't think of racing when it gets too cold out, they just reschedule. Smallish dogs all of them. Suited to the race that if won will push the handler to the podium and at least a bit of stardom.

I listened to the mushers and realized that it was a sad state of affairs. The draft dog is all but gone. The heavy tight footed dog that could withstand the arctic exstremes now needed a vest and boots. They no longer hauled loads other than that which is mandated by the race, light and fast is the rule.
Do these dogs have a great ability to do what they are bred for?? Sure and I don't want to sound like I'm bashing the work (sport) they do. It sounds like a tough lifestyle to participate in at the level of iditarod participation.
Is the same true of the sport dogs in ring, schutzhund, IPO today? Bred so narrowly that the ability to perform the tasks that gave birth to the sport are so severely hampered as to make you wonder if we haven't created "sprinters" of them??
As a GSD enthusiast I am in a bit of a unique situation in that sport is secondary to the work I perform and have simply sorted through the chaf until I found what I needed in a dog and trained to proficiency for work, then went on to layer sport work over the top. I've always simply resigned myself to the fact that it is tough to be really competetive with a dog I take to work every night. But, is it more than just that, a difference of training, or are we loosing the dog...the dog we all thought we wanted.... by having our racing blinders on??
It just made me think and maybe others might have some ideas to add.

If I may, I was wondering where in Alaska did you take your trip too? The reason I ask is becaues I live in Alaska Juneau, Alaska. I would have liked to meet you because I have a 10 month old female GSD Pup. <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

My wife and I took our son who just graduated from high school on a graduation trip. We did a bunch of fishing (bummer the Kenai was closed!) and sightseeing from Denali, to Anchorage to Seward and Ketchekan and Hope and... and... we put some miles on!

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If I may, I was wondering where in Alaska did you take your trip too? The reason I ask is becaues I live in Alaska Juneau, Alaska. I would have liked to meet you because I have a 10 month old female GSD Pup. <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

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..............Is the same true of the sport dogs in ring, schutzhund, IPO today? Bred so narrowly that the ability to perform the tasks that gave birth to the sport are so severely hampered as to make you wonder if we haven't created "sprinters" of them??...As a GSD enthusiast I am in a bit of a unique situation in that sport is secondary to the work I perform and have simply sorted through the chaf until I found what I needed in a dog and trained to proficiency for work, then went on to layer sport work over the top. I've always simply resigned myself to the fact that it is tough to be really competetive with a dog I take to work every night. But, is it more than just that, a difference of training, or are we loosing the dog...the dog we all thought we wanted.... by having our racing blinders on??.......

I've been reading thoughts like this in web essays. I wonder -- do you mean especially GSDs, or GSDs as an example of what will happen to all sports breeds, or mainly the most popular sports breeds..... ? Do you mean that what showlines did to the healthy, strong, flat-backed breed in general, sports might do to the working lines?

I am not at all knowledgeable, but I sure am interested in reading the views of those who are.

I live in Fairbanks, AK. We have some pretty heavy mushers here, meaning they are seriously into mushing. The Yukon Quest 300 runs through here on the Chena River bed in January. Hope you enjoyed your visit. <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I have no firsthand experience, but I see how shows have changed many breeds of dogs, what happened to the breeds with the severe splits, what v Stephanitz wanted his breed to be and what it really is with its multiple splits (two types of show, working/sport, serious work, serious sport) and it seems that whenever human competition is involved then the dogs are altered to meet that extreme. Having listened in on the great discussions here and elsewhere it wasn't long before I too realized that a SchIII just means a well trained dog and handler and not necessarily a dog who can do real life work. I saw the same with the sled dog teams they show on TV. I expected to see some sort of arctic-adapted spitz type dominating where instead there were a bunch of what looked like lab mixes. Herding trials are all good and plenty but a lot of those are not true to life (I think some or all AKC herding trials dock points for a dog that bites sheep) and a herding trial champ may suffer if dropped on a farm for daily herding. In most earthdog trials the terrier can only bark and paw at the cage its quarry sits comfortably in. The terrier may be able to find the prey but whether or not it can subdue it or defend itself if necessary remains in question.

Honestly I think the trend will continue unless there are life-mimicking trials put up with no hard and fast rules, rather rules judged on the context of the scenario. Breeding to excel at a sport is fine but breeders and handlers cannot and should not go on to say "yes he is a 16x SchIII so his newest litter should absolutely excel at SAR and dual purpose!" Again, this is just what I see on the outer fringes of the dog world.

Hi Kevin,

Some very interesting thoughts there!

I'm new to the dog world (about a year) but in the last year I've done a lot of reading and watching of working, sport and show dogs, and even I can see a huge difference not only in drives and ability but in the way these dogs WALK and RUN!

It strikes me that it's not only the GSD that is being ruined by mans hand, there are MANY other fine breeds no longer fit for task but it's not all down to the show lines.

Have you ever thought of writing an academic type paper on the subject and having it published?

I'm sure it would be an interesting read and a chance to work with some people who also recognise this problem,and have experiences of it.

John

And people had the audacity to say "no" to genetically modified foods.
Hey, how’s the weather down there?

I have a few comments on this.

I grew up with sled dogs, including some 2nd string alaskans of 1970s vintage from our time in Bethel, AK, a Canadian Eskimo dog, and a couple of CKC Siberians.

1. My first observation is selection away from the heavy coat is necessary in the age of global warming. Alaska and Yukon are way ahead of the curve on global warming. The heavy coated dogs don't do well above -15 celsius. The iditarod has been a warm weather race of late, with very little cold weather on the course: mostly 5-15 degrees below freezing.

Our furry spitz type dogs were very low on power around 0 celsius, and didn't get going until it was -15 C or so.

2. My second observation is the draft animals are going the way of the dodo because of snowmobiles and air travel in the north: for dog sledding, sport and tours is all that remains.

3. While the racing bred sled dogs are losing their racing feet, they are improving in ways other than just speed: less aggressive, and very healthy animals, with stable temperaments, ability to handle a particular kind of physical and mental stress: to continue eating, to handle wind, closeness with other dogs, etc. Not to mention: super hip record.

I expect to get a trio of "eurohounds" at some stage in my life for skijor, and in many ways they will be better than the old huskies. For my excursions and lifestyle the short coat is a big plus.

ps: Kevin, I've often felt that you really should connect with Joe Runyan, 1989 Iditarod champ, yukon quest champ. He is in New Mexico, lives in some little place with his family, his mules, his patterdale terriers, a MacCallum bred border collie or two (from Tony MacCallum personally), and a bunch of different types of fowl. He comments on the iditarod for TV. He wrote a book on how to succeed at long distance mushing. He has a sort of pan canine enthusiasm.

maybe the time is now for a cup of coffee with Joe, given the tenor of your thoughts!!

rgds, andrew may

Stephanitz took several working breeds and made them into something useful for his purpose. Sport, show, and working dogs as you've discussed are simply continuations of the work of breeders throughout the millennia. The GSD that's a best of show dog really isn't any different than the rail is to Henry Ford's automobile. Something that was once utilitarian now reduced to a single purpose tool of no practical value.

Within reason, as long as the dog's cared for humanely it's entire life and his/her life is as enriched as it's owner's, I just lack the authority to pass judgment.