Did I pick the wrong breed?

[Ruthie]

Maybe this post is a bit of a rant, but I really would like to know what other GSD owners think. I just read through an old post in the SchH section and it got me a little riled up. That in combination with some comments I have heard and read recently.
I am not a breeder. I haven’t titled a dog in SchH yet. I don’t show in confirmation. I have only owned three GSDs now and consider myself to be at least academically educated on the breed. Even though I am a “new person”, I am still bothered by comments that I have read and heard lately? Maybe I don't know what a GSD is supposed to be. But comments like these disturb me.


· Agility isn't for GSDs. (Maybe not going to beat the Border Collies, but not do it at all?)
· A GSD shouldn't be able to be a therapy dog, you will have to get a pet quality and they might not be able to do SchH.
· You WANT your GSD to go onto the field screaming. That means they want to work.
· “A good balanced GSD isn’t going to be able to compete at the top levels in SchH. They need tons of prey for that.” (Probably true but WHY!?!)
· (At the local carnival) Your puppy is so calm and isn’t scared of anything. Is he in training? (They meant like a police dog, seeing eye dog...)
· A top competition dog can’t be a family pet, they need to focus on the work.

I fell in love with the GSD because they are versatile, noble, loyal, protective, smart... a jack of all trades. With these kind of statements, I am wondering if maybe I am mistaken. I know that no dog is perfect, but...

· Shouldn’t a GSD be able to do any dog “sport” that is related to obedience and physical work? I am not talking about hunting dog stuff, but general things like agility, fly ball, obedience...
· Shouldn't a GSD have steady enough nerves and not be so drivey or so timid that he can be a therapy dog? I am not talking about a dog that is going to be social and want everyone to pet him. I am talking about a dog that will walk with his handler, not bite, not bark, not scream and whine, greet people, and allow them to pet him without freaking out.
· Why is the “breed test” high awards only for dogs that are so drivey that they CAN’T do other things?
· Why in the world would a dog that is breed to be both a worker and a companion NOT be able to LIVE with its handler and still be competitive and conversely why do we have so many GSDs that can only work protection in prey? Not to mention how many can't do SchH at all.
· Why are people shocked when they see my puppy confident and undisturbed at the carnival, parade, and fireworks? Shouldn’t they be saying, “He’s a typical GSD.” Why are they so shocked? I think it is normal. Am I naive?
· Why do I have some SchH people looking down their nose at me because I want to take my SchH prospect dog to the hospital to cheer up sick people? Like if he can do that kind of work he isn’t “good enough” to do SchH work?

Am I all wrong about what the breed should be?

[gagsd]

Originally Posted by Ruthie

Am I all wrong about what the breed should be?

No, you are not wrong...... but maybe naive.

[fuzzybunny]

Originally Posted by gagsd

No, you are not wrong...... but maybe naive.

Can you elaborate? I'm genuinely interested.

[Todd]

I'm interested too. For the most part, I agree with the OP. Think I read a quote, maybe I dreamed it up, but it was that "a GSD was not best at anything, but in the top three at everything." Almost sure someone originally used versatile in the breed desciption.

[vat]

I personally do not think your wrong. I do believe that a GSD can be the jack of all trades. Why would a GSD not be able to do SCH then go do therapy? Police dogs work all day then go home and become loving family members, I see no difference. It really depends on the dog, yes some are more suited for SCH and others more for therapy.

[gagsd]

Originally Posted by fuzzybunny

Can you elaborate? I'm genuinely interested.

It was meant tongue-in-cheek, hence the smiley.

[mthurston0001]

Originally Posted by Ruthie

· Agility isn't for GSDs. (Maybe not going to beat the Border Collies, but not do it at all?)

GSD a.k.a. Jack of All Trades

· A GSD shouldn't be able to be a therapy dog, you will have to get a pet quality and they might not be able to do SchH.

I also disagree.

· You WANT your GSD to go onto the field screaming. That means they want to work.

Maybe in very select cases where a dog has had little interest in the work.

· “A good balanced GSD isn’t going to be able to compete at the top levels in SchH. They need tons of prey for that.” (Probably true but WHY!?!)

Because to get that flashy performance lots of prey is needed. The best in the sport can and often are seperated by a margin of 1 or 2 points. And it is these days a sport. Hower a dog can have high prey and high defense.

· (At the local carnival) Your puppy is so calm and isn’t scared of anything. Is he in training? (They meant like a police dog, seeing eye dog...)

Because he is a sable "German police dog"!

· A top competition dog can’t be a family pet, they need to focus on the work.

I look at it like this, If a dog thinks he can get attention elsewhere he's going to be less focused on me, and I need all of his focus on me.


· Shouldn’t a GSD be able to do any dog “sport” that is related to obedience and physical work? I am not talking about hunting dog stuff, but general things like agility, fly ball, obedience...

Yes, and why not "hunting dog stuff" too?!

· Shouldn't a GSD have steady enough nerves and not be so drivey or so timid that he can be a therapy dog? I am not talking about a dog that is going to be social and want everyone to pet him. I am talking about a dog that will walk with his handler, not bite, not bark, not scream and whine, greet people, and allow them to pet him without freaking out.

Yes with good training.

· Why is the “breed test” high awards only for dogs that are so drivey that they CAN’T do other things?

If I understand the question, it's not.

· Why in the world would a dog that is breed to be both a worker and a companion NOT be able to LIVE with its handler and still be competitive and conversely why do we have so many GSDs that can only work protection in prey? Not to mention how many can't do SchH at all.

In terms of top competition, my dog needs to know that everything good comes from me.

· Why are people shocked when they see my puppy confident and undisturbed at the carnival, parade, and fireworks? Shouldn’t they be saying, “He’s a typical GSD.” Why are they so shocked? I think it is normal. Am I naive?

Because it is not normal, though it should be.

· Why do I have some SchH people looking down their nose at me because I want to take my SchH prospect dog to the hospital to cheer up sick people? Like if he can do that kind of work he isn’t “good enough” to do SchH work?

Because he supposed to be putting bad guys in the hospital, not helping them get out.

Am I all wrong about what the breed should be?

Nope.

[Ruthie]

Originally Posted by vat

I personally do not think your wrong. I do believe that a GSD can be the jack of all trades. Why would a GSD not be able to do SCH then go do therapy? Police dogs work all day then go home and become loving family members, I see no difference. It really depends on the dog, yes some are more suited for SCH and others more for therapy.

I am saying they should be able to do BOTH not one or the other.

[vat]

Originally Posted by Ruthie

I am saying they should be able to do BOTH not one or the other.

That is what I was saying too

[elisabeth_00117]

Amy, awhile back I made a thread about which lines I was interested in and what qualities I wanted in my next companion/schutzhund prospect.

I had a few people PM me and even one or so say on the thread that I was basically dreaming. That I was getting my hopes up.

I too regard the GSD as the "Jack of all trades" and they SHOULD be able to do it all.