Can mix breed dogs compete in protection & OB work?? I have a female Shar-pei mix who has a high drive, she'll drag me to the ground with the tug. I was wondering if I could train her in Protection & OB work??

Train a Shar-pei? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> JKN!
DVG clubs will accept mix breeds.

Mixed breeds may also compete and attain titles in French Ring- the exception being that they cannot be recognized as Champions. Good luck- attempting sports like this with an 'alternate' breed is sometimes frustrating but rarely boring! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Thanks for the advice, she's a high drive dog. Pretty hefty for her height, a soild 65lbs, and strong as a bull. Alot of people give me some strange looks when I walk her with a prong & muzzle. She's a bit to firey around strangers, but I'd so love to get her into OB & bite work. She's been known to grab a rope I have hanging from a tree out back & pull. Some actually called the AC thinking she was a pit bull :rolleyes: Never seen a wrinkled Pit..

You can compete in SchH with a mixed breed, it's just indicated as such on the dog's score card.

Have at it! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I wonder if people would look down on me since I don't want to use my GSD for bite work, since he's doesn't have much drive.. But the Shar-pei is so extremely high wired, you'd be surprised in the strength this dog has.. And for a female she is large, 65lbs We first need to work on stronger OB work first.

My personal semi-educated opinion is that if you have a dog that you think may be a candidate for a protection sport, then what the hey- give it a try. As someone who has recently been down that road, I would suggest developing a sense of humor and a thick skin before you jump in, though.

There is a whole lot more to these sports than just having a dog that can play tug-of-war. Your dog will be judged on what it is NOT before you even step on to the field. Each of the tried-and-true protection sports was developed for a particular breed. GSDs are the superior dogs in Schutzhund for a reason, just as the Malinois excels at Ring. That's not to say each cannot be done with another breed, but be prepared. Your girl may either be dismissed outright or receive extra (maybe unwanted) attention because she is different.

I'm not trying to discourage you- far from it! It's best to be realistic, though. I was lucky enough to find good decoys willing to give my little girl a try, so I sincerely hope you have the same luck. You never know if you don't give it a shot. Everyone has to start somewhere, right? If your dog ends up doing well then that's a bonus, but if not at least you have learned a few new things about some fascinating dog sports.

sorry...posted this twice. this one's deleted.