Thread: How relevant is Sch to Current GSD Breeding

The GSD as I have mentioned previously is "supposed" to be a "versatile" working dog as defined by the breed standards specifically. Companion animal to protection dog to a military/police K9 and anywhere in between. A good GSD of proper compliance should be able to be trained in any of these working roles and make a good job of it. The GSD doesn't have to be as good as a Dutch Shepherd or Malinios in an extreme military role, or as good a herder as a Border Collie. The GSD is the not the best dog at a single task, it's the second best dog at "everything". Any working role required from a dog, the GSD should be a breed that can achieve it from genetic versatility is what the breed is about. Schutzhund testing, not Schutzhund sporting competitions, Schutzhund as breed compliance platform provides the foundation to determine traits to preserve the versatility of the breed.

When a lot of people are titling dogs and trials are held often as they are overseas, working breeders and trainers hang around these venues to see the dogs and their performances to gauge where the bloodlines are going. We don't have that opportunity and most evaluation is on a basis of hearsay. When you can watch certain bloodlines from a BH to a Schutzhund 3, you get a feel for what the different lines are producing which is an extremely valuable tool. You also like certain bloodlines better than others for given working roles although they all pass then tests. Jumpy dogs on the BH, over sharp then with a chewy bite in protection tells me there are nerve issues in that dog or bloodline and watch closer next time. A dog high in fighting drive that doesn't out well, is man focused and can re-engage but is calm and stable in the BH is dog or line I would look at further. It may not score well from a sporting perspective, but it will be a better working dog in protection roles as the trait are more desirable.

Shutzhund trials provides the opportunity to see each and every component of the dog's performance, as I said they all may pass and achieve a title, but you can see the strengths and weaknesses first hand to find the dogs you like best. The dog's that don't pass are crap and have major character flaws which should never be reproduced. A "good" GSD will pass and a poor GSD will not, but without Schutzhund testing the gate is open for the poor GSD's to bred and the traits lacking in quality passed on.

Cheers
Nev

I am not saying I agree with all of Neville's post, but I do agree with the last 2/3 of what he has said this time.
Never let it be said that I do not give credit where credit is due.