My point is based on improvements in the sport, which could improve breeding programs in the long run.

Mike,

The best handler in the world cannot make a weak dog strong, or a shallow gripping dog bite full. So much depends on the dog and what it has inside. As far as the attack out of the blind it is a test and should be a attack with full and firm stick hits.

Brad

 Quote:

Originally posted by Brad Stout:
Mike,

The best handler in the world cannot make a weak dog strong, or a shallow gripping dog bite full. So much depends on the dog and what it has inside. As far as the attack out of the blind it is a test and should be a attack with full and firm stick hits.

Brad

I agree with Brad. While I do admit that what appears to be a low drive dog can sometimes be brought to a medium-high drive dog with a good handler, most do not want to do that. I mean why make the brownies from SCRATCH when Betty Crocker has the ones in the box that you add one egg, some oil, and water.. and they come out good every time. Why work your A$$ off with a low drive dog when there are better ones out there.

Schutzhund does not control breeding programs. People do. Titles do not make better dogs, wise breeding decisions do. While I think training and titling is a GOOD way to really know your stock, it is not the end all be all of breeding dogs.

Judging and helper work is also not always consistant. It should be, but it isn't. There are living beings as variables in the equation and nothing is static.

What is it that bumper sticker says "Shut up and Train" ?

Good points Brad and Deanna. But by improvments, I mean tests of defense drive. If I could change one rule(drum roll...), there would be a civil exercise in which the dog would be required to protect his handler from an absolute threat. From my perspective, defense drive is a very important trait that a working/breeding dog must demonstrate. And if it's not tested, who knows if it's in our gene pool or not? The firmer stick hits are not good enough alone; but would be a good start, atleast as a nerve test.

I feel a lot of these dogs are given these "protection dog" titles, when in fact you would have to question yourself on whether or not they would know what to do if push came to shove. Questional dogs are being bred all too often, and that has a huge impact in the dog world, especially breeding. Sure, Schutzhund is just a sport and not a certification test. But if I was a breeder, I would feel more comfortable not having to question whether my dogs had the right ingredients. And when there's a test for everything, there is also less guesswork on the people's part. And in return, the weaker dogs get weaved out. My views are for the long haul.