VC check your pm's

Ok, that makes sense Deanna and Lee. I guess you're right, us guys do have all the fun <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> I also agree with you on titles, they're not going to change the pups at all, just market them better.

I'm not a breeder, but as for selecting a breeding dog, titles and points would mean squat to me. I like to see a dog work under realistic scenarios, in all phases, where looking pretty is not important. After seeing that, I wouldn't even need to see how the dog did at the trial, where everything was a game.

I remember the first trial I ever went to. There was a 13xSch3 male going again to add another 3 to his record. Everybody was talking about and looking forward to seeing him, as he always "looked" good in the obedience and protection routines. This time around, however, things were different. The helper actually put some heat on this dog and the dog had no clue of what to do. The dog took off running and flunked. It makes a person wonder, "What were we really testing the last 13 times?" Defense drive should be tested 10x more at a trial than prey drive, I believe. Sure we can test it away from the field, but to have recognition for it on the field would be great. Maybe then titles would hold more water. Any trait that is not tested will be questionable.