Hi everyone,
I was wondering if I could get some help.When I go see this Czech female(17 months old) I am getting her to do SchH with hopefully.I was wondering is there anything *I* can do to test her to see if she would be an OK schH dog other then maybe play and prey drive?I know I can't do defence or anything like that,but what else can *I* look for if anything?She said she has awesome play and prey drive as she said she is CRAZY for toys and the tug and has also chased her goats and killed a couple of her chickens.She said she is Very confident in going to new places and meeting new people just is very prey driven when it comes to small animals and such.I do not want to compete to top level,probably go for the BH definatly and *maybe* try for the SchH1 but that's it.Any suggestions or input would be great.Thanks

Go somewhere new with the dog and see how she reacts to people and stuff.

At 17 months old I would expect a dog to be on a sleeve and well into bitework, but that isn't necessarilly a deal breaker.

What is a deal breaker is if the dog has had no development on any toy and has not been well socialized.

Then she has to have drive.

Play ball with her and see if she will retrieve for you. Pay attention to how much attention she pays to the ball or whatever.

Play hide the ball, or toss it somewhere where she can't get to it and see how long she tries to get at it.

Watch very carefully the interaction between the owner and the dog. See if there is some avoidance or an iffy bond. That could clue you into problems that the owner may have created.

See if the dog has good food drive.

I can't think of anything else off the top of my head that a beginer can do, other than bring along someone that has done a little helper work and do a stake out test. . .or even someone that can read how to do it and give a little try to see what the dog does when there is something a little weird going on.

You don't want the dog to run. LOL

Have fun

Do you have a trainer/helper or club you are going to be working with? I personally would never buy an older dog without having my helper look at the dog as well. Even if the dog has had no or very little bite training the dog at that age can still be evaluated for suitability for SchH or whatever kind of bitework you plan on doing with her.

Of course, you have to trust the helper and he must be knowledgable about dogs, training, drives, pedigrees,etc..

Has the dog been prelim xrayed?? If not I would make the sale contingent on hips, elbow and spine xrays being good.

Hi, Thanks everyone for the help.Yes I have a club I am in and the trainer I trust, who when I get back home he can evaluate her.I don't have anyone who can go with me to test her there guess I have to take my chances and look for the stuff mentioned.The lady said if she doesn't turn out the wa I hoped she will always take her back.She has been started on Bite work she said her trainer said that she had a awesome bite,full,calm grips,but can sometimes be chewy but not always.Can that be fixed?I'm willing to put effort in it and try to fix it if it's not a big problem.Also She has all obedience done she is ready for trials,What Can I expect out of her from when i get her,training wise?Should I not start working with her until she has bonded somewhat or start a couple days after I get her?The lady said she will let anyone work her and does everything awesome for them as she does her.To answer someones questions about her hips,yes they were x-rayed and are good and her elbows are normal.Well thanks alot for all the help

Ask for copies of the xrays- hips, elbows and spine. Is the dog's hips stamped in another country as OFA will only do a prelim prior to 24 mos. I would also have another vet (not her's for objectivity) view the hips, etc.

Hi sue, I will get copies of the x-rays.The dog is 17 months old and got prelimed and vet said they looked great.I know X-rays can't be sent to OFA until the dog is 2 yrs old to actually get a rating.I will do that When she turns 2 yrs old but for now the prelim x-rays,elbows and spine are fine with me.I Plan on using her for breeding but If her hips do not OFA I guess I won't be.Well thanks alot for the help it's very appreciated
Summer

Hi Summer, I would ask if they sent the prelims into OFA or not. I wouldn't trust just any vets opinion. While the OFA can't issue a number they will send back a rating of excellent, good, fair, borderline, mild, moderate, or severe hip dysplasia on xrays done between the ages of 6 months and two years. You still have to submit new films after two years of age, but you will have a better idea of what you are looking at.

My pup goes in for his first thing in the AM. He is 7 months old.

Yes,
They were sent to OFA for viewing and came back Good,I will make sure I get that when I go to see her the end of June(If I decided to take her).Thanks again for the help. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Also If anyone knows with her being 17 months old,She has only been worked in prey drive but has experience on a sleeve but only about 7 encounters with a sleeve NO defence has been used,Is there still a chance she can do SchH?She is always worked on a rope ect.I have heard different stories saying she is to old to start and should have already had defence work.She has some bite work all obedience done and alittle tracking started is there still a chance to start in SchH?Any ideas on this?I Plan on asking my trainer on Saturday If he thinks there is a chance for her to be good in SchH if i describe to him what all she has ect,as he should be able to help somewhat as he trains for SchH,PP,Police service,and search and rescue so is pretty experienced.Thanks again <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Summer