The dogs are allowed to do whatever they want. They do not have to conform to what a GSD does like they do in Schutzhund. They are allowed to grab with their legs and generally harass the decoy. This is why Mals should not be doing Schutzhund. I don't want Mals that act like shepherds. Of course I don't want shepherds to act like Mals either.

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Is it acceptible for dogs to growl and shake the arm/leg/whatever they bite in ringsport?

Short answer is yes. The longer answer adds a "but" at the end.

The growling may or may not be indication that the dog has some nerve/comfort issues but the head shaking is what you want to see. The actual quality of the bite is not being judged during an exercise (although obviously the fuller the better) but you want to see a dog taking the fight TO the decoy as opposed to trying to pull the leg/arm AWAY from the decoy, if that makes any sense. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

And if your Ugly Brown Dog (or Slightly Less Ugly Black And White Dog) happens to knock a decoy down during an attack it's full points and a big fat cheer from the crowd. Funny how everyone always roots for the dogs and not the decoys...not ENTIRELY fair IMO... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Quote:And if your Ugly Brown Dog

I am still waiting for Cairn Terriers to make an apperence in the sport world. They really are one of the few breeds I find "cute". Sad isn't it? I am surrounded by ugly.

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Quote:And if your Ugly Brown Dog .....I am still waiting for Cairn Terriers to make an apperence in the sport world. They really are one of the few breeds I find "cute". Sad isn't it? I am surrounded by ugly.

That's Toto, right? In Wizard of Oz?

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That's Toto, right? In Wizard of Oz?

"Petit Toto du Sorcier d'Oz FRIII".......... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

Okay, I apologise for the hijacking. We now return you to your regularly scheduled topic subject.

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 Quote:

Is it acceptible for dogs to growl and shake the arm/leg/whatever they bite in ringsport?

Short answer is yes. The longer answer adds a "but" at the end.

The growling may or may not be indication that the dog has some nerve/comfort issues but the head shaking is what you want to see. The actual quality of the bite is not being judged during an exercise (although obviously the fuller the better) but you want to see a dog taking the fight TO the decoy as opposed to trying to pull the leg/arm AWAY from the decoy, if that makes any sense. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

And if your Ugly Brown Dog (or Slightly Less Ugly Black And White Dog) happens to knock a decoy down during an attack it's full points and a big fat cheer from the crowd. Funny how everyone always roots for the dogs and not the decoys...not ENTIRELY fair IMO... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Have to correct this! The bite is judged during the excercise and in order to win a dog has to have a bite of 23-25 if not he'll have difficulties to enter the championship.

Greetings

Johan

Just to clarify, because I believe sports is getting mixed up, and for any new people reading these posts it may be confusing them a little. In french ring the bite is not judged, primarily because of the way it is decoyed, it can be almost impossible for a dog to always get a full mouth bite even though they naturally prefer one.
In belgium ring the bite is judged but there is very little movement at all by the decoy, the dogs have the opportunity to get a full mouth bite. As for not making it to the championships with out a 23-25 that is something only the belgians have to worry about, no one else here would be allowed to compete in the championships anyways, North Americans can compete and they can start a club but they are not allowed to compete in the championships. Belgium ring is pretty much a Belgium only sport. The french ring people I know still breed for full mouth bites and those that I have seen (FR dogs) take full mouth bites every chance they get. Of course this isn't all of them, but all the ones I have seen train.

Sasha my Mal is 7 months old this week. She is 44lbs , healthy , no growing pains so far and fed 60 % kibble, 40 % raw. She is allowed to run 2x a day around the property while training; no scheduled running, swimming or bike pulling. After reading about and seeing some scrawny , wirey Mals I am suprised at this dogs musculatrity in her chest and neck espically for a female.

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Sasha my Mal is 7 months old this week. She is 44lbs , healthy , no growing pains so far and fed 60 % kibble, 40 % raw. She is allowed to run 2x a day around the property while training; no scheduled running, swimming or bike pulling. After reading about and seeing some scrawny , wirey Mals I am suprised at this dogs musculatrity in her chest and neck espically for a female.

Most of them don't carry any fat so you can see what's below the skin espesialy if you've one with short short hair

Greetings

Johan

>>This is why Mals should not be doing Schutzhund<<

***Puuhhlease Jeff! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />