IS SHARPNESS ALL TOGETHER AN UNDESIRABLE TRAIT IN A STREET DOG, REGARDLESS OF HOW SLIGHT? IS GETTING YOUR DOG TO WATCH YOUR "6" STRICTLY A TRAINING ISSUE OR IS THERE SOMETHING INNATE IN A DOG THAT IS CONTINUALLY ENVIRONMENTALLY AWARE? I DO NOT ADVOCATE "KOOKS ON A LEASH", HOWEVER, LIVE ON THE ROAD IS SOMETIMES NOT VERY KIND, NOR ARE SOME OF THE PEOPLE ON IT. MAYBE I'M FROM THE STONE-AGE AND NEED TO GO BACK TO WALKING ON MY KNUCKLES BECAUSE THIS COMPUTER STUFF IS KILLING ME.
The tree of Freedom needs to be nurtured with the blood of Patriots and tyrants. Thomas Paine
I LOVE A SHARP DOG!! But I'm a civilian and I don't need a dog with rock solid nerves either. I think the two things, whether related or not, are not often seen in the same dog. I would also want some sharpness in my dog if I was not a civilian(maybe especially). But it would need to have really good nerves too, no? I think that is probably one of the reasons a good police dog is hard to find. I sure hope some experienced people chime in on this one, it's an interesting topic. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
I doubt thay many informed people would argure that "slight sharpness" is undesirable in a street dog.
But as far as "watching your 6" (watching your back for civilians) this is primarily a training issue. Every dog needs slightly different training to achieve the deisred results.
Without training... most really sharp dogs seem to spend most of their time "watching their own 6". <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />
Kelly,
So true. One persons' sharp dog with quick reflex is another persons' bag of nerves. An exellent example of this is when the kennel Des Deux Pettois traded the bloodlines of Erica (Peter Engles foundation bitch) for an NBVK dog with "better nerves." However, it's interesting to note that Des Deux Pettois then went back to that line to get some of this sharpness back into their line, I believe through an Erica daughter named "Fury". The rest is history.
Here we go again! Nerves and sharpness are NOT the same thing. (reference Kevin Sheldahl's previous postings for more)
Here is part of the problem:
(For discussion we can classify both nerves as low, medium, or high)
In my experience no more than 10 to 15% of all working sport / protection dogs have STRONG nerves.
Problem: Sharpness (which originates from defense) puts pressure on nerves because the dog percieves / responds to even weak stimuli... that paper sack blowing accross the lawn for example.
Solution: Many sport people and show people prefer a dog with no defense or sharpness... that way, the nerves don't look as bad as they often are... the dog doesn't respond to everything or percieve much threat so nerves aren't can be moderat or weak but the dog can still function.
It is POSSIBLE but rare to have a dog with sharpness AND strong nerves.
Dave,
Here we go again? "Nerves and sharpness are not the same thing." Dave,this is exactly what I am trying to point out. The kennel Des Deux pettois(in my opinion)made that same mistake to think that sharpness goes hand in hand with weaker nerves. I also said that whether they are related or not(people will argue over that), they aren't often seen in the same dog. I don't think we have a difference of opinion here. "It is POSSIBLE but rare to have a dog with sharpness AND strong nerves." That is exactly what Erica Des Duex pettois had. Exactly the kind of dog I would want watching my "6".
Originally posted by jason:
One persons' sharp dog with quick reflex is another persons' bag of nerves.
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Based on this statement it appears that you are arguing that they are the same thing.
Dave,Not at all. I'm arguing that there ARE other people who feel that they are the related. I do not. I've never been great at relaying my thoughts. If you knew the "Erica" story I don't think you would have taken it that way.
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