Brad,
Really, I'd put more of a connection between RS people and the Bouvier. I've never seen a BRT, but from the people I've talked to who have worked with them, they have lacked a lot of trainability. Again, this is second hand information about the BRT, and just an obsertvation about the Bouv.

John

Richard, they are talking about BRTs here, you better jump in. You don't get many chances. . . :rolleyes:

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Oh alright...

Many of the people coming to the BRT seem to be coming from Rotts and Giants. The attraction is that they are still pretty close to working stock. Not as strong of Show influence, yet. It seems to be coming much faster that I would like. They are a little different than the other dogs more common in sport. Since there isn't the long standing push for sport dogs they don't seem to hve the really sky high prey drive, they are very balanced in their drives and tend towards defense, like with the Rott and Giant. The funny thing I am finding is that it seems the drives increase, or just become more apparent as they age. I don't know if that is common or just with my bitch. Like the Giant they are very smart, make good descisions, and are easy to bore. Unlike the Giant they seem to have almost no rank issues. This is a good thing with a very large dog. They are very trainable. They love to please. They will tend to direct aggression out away from the family. It can be a problem if they aren't properly socialized and trained. I haven't trained with a Bouv before, but the BRT is a very close match with the best things of the Giant without the draw back of the Rank issues.

Richard, can you describe the agility and quickness of the BRT. I mean, the BRT is a really big dog.

sorry for this stupid question but I am racking my brain here and for the life of me cant figure out what BRT is? and an RS? Thanks.

Originally posted by GSDSAR:
sorry for this stupid question but I am racking my brain here and for the life of me cant figure out what BRT is? and an RS? Thanks. BRT = Black Russian Terrier (I think, Richard correct me if I'm wrong)

RS = ReisenSchnauzer (Giant Schnauzer)

I have yet to see a BRT in person. They look like fuzzy Great danes in the pics I see on the net. Are they more similar in size to a Rott/RS or a great dane?

The Standard for the Giant is 25 1/2 to 27 1/2 inches at the withers for the BRT it is 27 to 30. As for agility, they are like the Giant, not as quick as the Giant but close. They are deceptive in that a dog that big shouldn't be able to move that well. Size as a big part of it. My bitch is small, and is quicker than my Giant. Once all that mass is moving it takes a bit to get it to change direction.

I for one am saddend to constantly hear that the Giant is being 'watered' down in the US.
It is not so in the rest of the world and out of about 45 Giants I have met and worked with I would say less than 10 would be great protection dogs and that out of the 10- most were ruined by bad handling/raising. On the other hand, they are rare all over the world, probaby because of their grooming demands and eccentric looks. That's just as well (I've seen what becomes of the popular breeds). I predict (and HOPE) that the Giants in the US will become a seperate breed, must like the American Cocker that can't hunt worth ***T.
The Brt's I've met were awesome dogs but I have only met three so that's not saying much. Still they were so imposing and impressive that I am seriously considering buying one from Germany.
About the Bouviers, they are MUCH softer personalities than Giants. Less drive, less dominance, less teritoriality. I have often detered people from buying a Giant from me and proposed the Bouvier instead. It has a much 'easier' personality- like a Giant with a bit of Labrador mixed in. The are impressive when they bark but they don't have the Giant's remarkable bravery to back themselves up. But they are 'softer' and calmer and therefore better for homes with small children or Grandmas roaming about.

Hello All:
Just wanted to kick this around and see if anyone knows anything. In the RS world, it is very common that dogs from the v. Hatzbachtal kennel continue to dominate the ISPU and PSK events. I wanted to know if anyone had names of other successful breeders for RS's? I was told that there are a couple breeders in the Czech Republic as well as in Hungary. Any info would be greatly appreciated.
Regards,
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Brandon
E-Mail: b_chow@msn.com