Please bear with me. I'm new to the board and don't know if I'm even posting this in the right place.

I have had Rotties my whole life (I'm 32) that were strictly pets. Obedience trained to the extent of healing off leash, long down stays, etc. but never anything like protection, schutzhund, etc.

I want to get into Schutzhund and am leaning towards getting a GSD mainly because most of what I've read/heard so far seems to say that, yes you can do it with a Rottie, but GSD's learn quicker, better, are smarter or however you want to put it. Ed said in a private email that he's seen plenty of Rotties do good work, but that doesn't really address my question as to which dog will learn the best.

I obviously have many more questions, but maybe I should just start with this and start a new thread later.

Kory Fox

You want advice on the type of dog to get?

If you want a Rottenwhiner get one. There are working line Rotts out there. They can do the job.

But, you are interested in a sport that was designed to be a breeding evaluation for the GSD. So, the shepherd breeds GSD, Belgian Malinois, Dutch Shepherd are, on average (in the working lines), going to have more of the specific attributes necessary to win in Schutzhund.

It will come down to your specific tastes. You love Rotts, get one, you'll be happy with it.

 Quote:

Originally posted by VanCamp:
You want advice on the type of dog to get?
It will come down to your specific tastes. You love Rotts, get one, you'll be happy with it.

I have goosebumps. That was special. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

Seriously, I agree. We all only do this life thing once so go with your love. Like Ed told you in your email, you CAN get a good one so just make sure you do your research on prospective breeders. What's more important than debating on which breed learns better or which does better work, is going to a reputable breeder with solid working lines.

O.K. Well, I'm still leaning towards GSD, but anyway. Next question. It seems that some people suggest that a novice, like myself, start out with a dog that's maybe 1-2 years old, training all ready started, rather than a puppy in order to make sure that you know what you're getting. I would prefer to start with a puppy. Plus, from what I've seen of prices on a dog that's all ready been started in training, I dought I can afford to go that route.

Kory

I think the best advice I can give is:

learn everything you can about the sport BEFORE you get a dog. Then determine what your training style is going to be, this will help determine the kind of dog that is more appropriate for you. Then narrow your choices by looking at breed profiles to see which one suits you and your lifestyle best. Do all your homework first, then consider getting the dog. It is a very time consuming sport, you must be ready to dedicate quite a bit of time to training (ie getting up early when you'd rather sleep in so you can go do some tracking). As far as age, my wifes very first SchH dog she got as a puppy, and the bitch at 11mos old will do a SchH3 track (minus articles), has good obedience (needs more focus work), and is starting to bloom in protection (she was a little late getting the hang of bitework), all this in a high energy ball crazy bitch that my wife worked her ass off for and has turned down offers from people wanting to buy her for a Narc or SAR dog. It all really depends on how much work you're willing to put in, how much of your pride you're willing to swallow to do the job right and not "your way", and how dedicated you are to your dog.

Keep in mind that the difference between a pet rottie and high drive working GSD is like going from a house cat to a cougar. You will likely have to radically change what you have done with obedience training... it ain't the same. Read everything and find a dog with good nerves... not spooky.

Good one Davy. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Mike

"learn everything you can about the sport BEFORE you get a dog." Do all your homework first, then consider getting the dog. It is a very time consuming sport, you must be ready to dedicate quite a bit of time to training"

That's exactly what I'm doing. I know that I won't have the time to do this for at least 6 months, maybe a little longer, so I'm trying to learn all I can now.

Dave
"Keep in mind that the difference between a pet rottie and high drive working GSD is like going from a house cat to a cougar. You will likely have to radically change what you have done with obedience training... it ain't the same. Read everything and find a dog with good nerves... not spooky"

Can you or someone explain how you pick the puppy with the right drive, temperment, etc.? Also can you recomend books, videos etc. that would be good for me, wether it be obedience, schutzhund or anything else that may help?

Thanks,
Kory

You may want to consider a young green dog, 10-18 months old. Personally I prefer this to getting a puppy, I feel you can see more of what you're getting into. They cost a bit more, but factor in what it would have cost to feed, shots, etc.. from puppyhood to 10-18 months and it's not that bad of a deal, plus you get to get right into the meat of the training. Cost wise, you're going to get more dog for the money if you get a mal, vrs a GSD. At least this has been my findings.

oh, by the way. My first love is the Doberman (was) they are mostly crap now, so I went with a breed that was proven to do the work, a mal. I'm thrilled with my choice. The Rott, yes, they can do the work, but my guess is it will take you three times longer to find a good Rott as it would to find a great GSD or Mal.

Best of luck whatever your choice.
<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Kory, get the video "Bite Training Puppies." It'll give you all the info you need to know. The other videos are good too.