First, let me say that I would LOVE to have the time to be involved in SAR. I just don't have the time. Training wouldn't be a problem (though it would be one *bleep* of a drive), but there is the problem of having a full-time job. I was told that's not a big deal because "people tend to do stupid things on nights and weekends). So my questions are a mix of concerns whether it would be a good idea to train with them and just a couple questions concerning GSDs and body type.
So, question 1 - is that really true? How do you balance "real life" and SAR?
question 2 involves temperament. I saw a few of the k9s and that had me REALLY concerned. One dog was kept crated at the booth and every time another dog walked past (this was at a match), the dog would attack the front of his crate. Once it almost looked like he was going to flip the crate over. Another dog was skittish about being petted by strange people. Not just the typical GSD "why should I be interested in attention from you??" but actively trying to hide behind his owner.
Dog #1, I would be concerned that he would be a problem with integrating new dogs into the team? I don't know how he is out of the crate, but it just seemed like a bad combo? Dog #2, I'm not sure if it would have a big effect on his working ability, I'm just curious. Of course, he is still a pup in training - not quite 1 yr old. A 3rd dog hackled and grumbled from his crate at all the people walking by.
I was more interested talking to his owner about his conformation. He was Amer. pet lines. He was neutered already because "with his great nose he was impossible to work if there was a bitch in heat within 2 miles" I know that there are intact SAR dogs, aren't there? True or training issue? I don't plan on having Singe neutered so that would be an absolute end of story for us.
On his conformation (and this is most curiosity) the dog was cow-hocked. The people attending the show were a mix of people just looking to practice for AKC (the show was ACA, but that isn't relevant to this) and people with pet dogs looking for a "pet line friendly" registry, but even those people were commenting that "there looks like something is wrong with his back end" When he moved, his hocks almost bumped each other and, for lack of a better word, he seemed wobbly. Is that something that would really affect working ability? I would think that he might wear out in a big search area? My daughter was taking pics of all the dogs, but she doesn't have any of him or I'd post it.
OK, off-topic for this section side-note - the "judge" from ACA loved him. Gushed on and on about how beautiful he was and that that was what a GSD was supposed to look like.
So, question 1 - is that really true? How do you balance "real life" and SAR?
question 2 involves temperament. I saw a few of the k9s and that had me REALLY concerned. One dog was kept crated at the booth and every time another dog walked past (this was at a match), the dog would attack the front of his crate. Once it almost looked like he was going to flip the crate over. Another dog was skittish about being petted by strange people. Not just the typical GSD "why should I be interested in attention from you??" but actively trying to hide behind his owner.
Dog #1, I would be concerned that he would be a problem with integrating new dogs into the team? I don't know how he is out of the crate, but it just seemed like a bad combo? Dog #2, I'm not sure if it would have a big effect on his working ability, I'm just curious. Of course, he is still a pup in training - not quite 1 yr old. A 3rd dog hackled and grumbled from his crate at all the people walking by.
I was more interested talking to his owner about his conformation. He was Amer. pet lines. He was neutered already because "with his great nose he was impossible to work if there was a bitch in heat within 2 miles" I know that there are intact SAR dogs, aren't there? True or training issue? I don't plan on having Singe neutered so that would be an absolute end of story for us.
On his conformation (and this is most curiosity) the dog was cow-hocked. The people attending the show were a mix of people just looking to practice for AKC (the show was ACA, but that isn't relevant to this) and people with pet dogs looking for a "pet line friendly" registry, but even those people were commenting that "there looks like something is wrong with his back end" When he moved, his hocks almost bumped each other and, for lack of a better word, he seemed wobbly. Is that something that would really affect working ability? I would think that he might wear out in a big search area? My daughter was taking pics of all the dogs, but she doesn't have any of him or I'd post it.
OK, off-topic for this section side-note - the "judge" from ACA loved him. Gushed on and on about how beautiful he was and that that was what a GSD was supposed to look like.