I have a 2 month old Shar-Pei. I've read of at least one Shar-Pei being titled in Schutzhund. All of the breed books call Shar-Peis "Excellent Guardians and Watch Dogs," but noone seems to be training them for this purpose. If they are not capable of protection work, what is the reason? If they are capable, why isn't anyone using them for this? Is it that they are a relatively new breed in the U.S. and Europe, or that the people who buy them tend to do so for their wrinkles and not their abilities?

The breed seems intelligent (i.e. learning commands quickly and becoming housebroken in a couple of days), and very determined. They reach 60 lbs. at 20 inches tall (Mine is currently 20lbs at 14") . If constantly chasing and gnawing on my ankles and everything else that moves is any indication, it seems that he may have the "prey drive" that everyone speaks of.

Does anyone have any information about Shar-Peis in Schutzhund and for protection? Would the training tapes on this site be worthwhile for this breed?

Also, if breeds other than the ones listed on this board are capable of Schutzhund, it would be wonderful to see a forum for "other breeds in Schutzhund."

Torre,

It is amazing all of the breeds you can find a "protection dog" in. Here on the board, Richard Cannon will name a few that will blow your mind. I think you see the breeds you normally see as a "protection dog" because the drives required are very often found among these breeds. This is by no means set in stone. Its a drive thing not a breed thing. The tapes that Leerburg sells are likewise more drive specific and not breed specific.

I say buy a copy of "bite training puppies" and go for it!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Torre,

No reason that it couldn't be done. The Shar-pei does not come from a country with a history of protection sports. For this reason the people getting the dogs are interested in the novelty of the appearance rather than the chacteristics of the breed. In terms of practicle application the breed is a little short for profesional dog work, but it would be a good size for a family in a smaller home.

I would start working on prey drive and develop it. It wouldn't hurt to find a club and hang around a little bit and let the pup watch. The tape Bite Training Puppies and Teching Focus and Grip with Bernard Flinks would be a good start.

Are y'all even remotely serious? Is this one of those "Anything is possible" deals? It's difficult enough to find a dog of the "right" breeds to the work. There are historic instances of Australian Shepherds ( kudos, Ms. Barkley), Chesapeakes and Labs, but this opens the whole "what does a title mean" issue.

Az Trooper,

The title means the dog can meet the criteria for the title. Nothing more. It may or may not be able to function as a protection dog. There are many breeds used around the world for protection, and one breed of cat, that are not traditionaly thought of as protection breeds. In the orient there are a class of dogs called "sleeve dogs". They were used for personal protection, the sleeve with the dog was pushed into the attackers face and the dogs come out from there and bite in the face. The attack allowed the owner an opportunity to escape, or call guards as they were usually owned by Royalty. The Siamese cat was used as protection for temples. There was a "Cat Walk" around the top of the temples for the cats to be placed on at night. Anyone attempting to come over the wall was attacked by the cats.

Az trooper,

Could you be more specific about why you would say "Are y'all even remotely serious?" relating to a Shar-Pei? I'm puzzled by the comparison to the breeds you mentioned (though all are great breeds). We are talking about a breed here (Shar-Pei) that was used for hundreds of years as a fighting dog and guard dog. He is similiar in size to the APBT, which I have also owned before. I've never heard anyone imply before that the Shar-Pei wasn't physically capable or tenacious enough for protection. Sadly, much more common is people lumping them with other good dogs such as APBT's and claiming that they are dangerous.

My biggest concerns coming into this post were (1) is he tall enough? (2) will he be too stubborn? (3) is it possible that a breed not normally used will face undue prejudice being judged? However, I am certainly willing to listen to thoughts on any problems anyone feels the breed would have.

Torre,

If your original question was, "is there any reason that my Shar-Pei can't rise to the top in protection sports?", then you would have gotten a different answer from me than you did.

I would say that the odds are against it in a big way. The size, speed, and drives are probably not really going to compare very well with the other breeds being used for protection sports. There are always exceptions, but the odds are against it.
This is not to say that your dog doesn't have what it takes to protect you, only time and training will answer that.

Richard,
Thank you Mr Cannon, I knew you would not disappoint. "sleeve dogs" and pussy cats :rolleyes:

Hey I need some decoys to help train my new Sleeve dogs...
Is anybody up to it? I'll set you up with a mask or something <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

I would love to see that cat do a nice bark and hold. Or should I say purr and hold. LOL.

Jason ,Vince funny stuff. you'll have to wait for the new video. you guys have to admit Richard is a class act.

milt

Richard is an act in a class by himself. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Is sleeve dog training the next step for the fart commanded mini-schnauzer? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />


Hey Torre, you asked the questions, then you got some answers. Then you got a little pissy about those answers. Why ask the questions to begin with?

I don't think the Sharpie is gonna do so good at schutzhund or ring. Yes, the judges are going to hammer this little guy. I would stick to the protection training and hope. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />