Your ideal breed test

[Betty]

I was hoping this thread would get a little more participation, but that's ok!

Fast brings up a good point.

Let's say we develop our own breed test. How do we keep it pure? How do we keep it a test of the dog and not the trainer?

Do you think that a simple pass/fail would help?

[Wild Wolf]

When I think of "testing" the breed, I think of combining some of my favourite sports. I consider both versatility and asking the dog to complete a wide variety of tests.

I would love to see a combination of PSA/IPO, Agility, Police Dog Skills (jumping into a moving car to engage helper, scaling tall walls, jumping through windows, high jumps, etc). I would love to see the dog engage the helper in many different strange locations, in the house, in the barn, in water, in a forest, in a crowded place, in a dark alley.

My point being; I would love to see the dog tested everywhere, not just on the field he knows so well. NOT routine. When a dog preforms well and it is not routine, I find that says a lot about the dog. That is why I don't think JUST a SchH3/IPO3 alone makes a dog breed worthy.

[lhczth]

Any type of test or evaluation used to make breeding decisions is only as valuable as the person making the final decision. There are many breeders I know who just want a quick title so they can breed "legally". Then there are those that have a higher standard and do far more testing above and beyond those titles (if they even title at all). All standardized (i.e. fair) tests will have weaknesses and good trainers will figure out how to train dogs for the tests.

If you have specific needs and standards than support the breeders that meet those standards/needs.

[Fast]

Originally Posted by Betty

Do you think that a simple pass/fail would help?

I think that's a step in the right direction. But I would take it a step further and say to just have an evaluation. Simply have the judge give a description of what he sees and let the breeders decide what, if any, breeding the dog does.

It has never made a lick of sense to me that you have a judge, many of which have less experience than you or your club members have, look at your dog for 15 minutes and think that they know more about that dog than the owner or people that train with the owner. And then we give that judge the power to disqualify a dog from breeding.

[Betty]

Originally Posted by Fast

I think that's a step in the right direction. But I would take it a step further and say to just have an evaluation. Simply have the judge give a description of what he sees and let the breeders decide what, if any, breeding the dog does.

It has never made a lick of sense to me that you have a judge, many of which have less experience than you or your club members have, look at your dog for 15 minutes and think that they know more about that dog than the owner or people that train with the owner. And then we give that judge the power to disqualify a dog from breeding.

I found myself looking for the like button....ROFL

[Elektra2167]

I would like to see the dogs in more situational exercises as well. Testing stability is a big thing, being able to turn on and off, and refocus. Endurance would be nice, but I think that often goes back to the handler being able to keep up with the dog. Practical agility, as far as the dogs going over/ through/ entering uncomfortable things (elevated grates, swing bridges, etc.). Working in the dark. This seems to be a biggie for some of them, many won't engage or search in the dark.
I think it all comes back to stability. If you have a stable dog, they will trust you through almost any training.