breed worthiness? - Page 9

I cant get past the hot dog. 

A number of years ago, I was discussing this "Breed Worthiness" issue with a then prominent AKC Judge who has since passed. My suggestion was that the GSDCA should minimally require an "Obedience Degree" (BH, CD, etc.) , an "AD" like endurance test and a "Gunfire Test" before any dog could earn Championship Points or be considered "Breed worthy" and permitted to produce puppies that could be registered.  His response started with a giggle and the comment that everything would work except the "Gunfire Test".  He said, and I paraphrase,  if they fired a gun at an AKC show, it would take 2 days to find the dogs and 3 days to clean up the piles of poop both human and canine.

"Breedworthiness", as we all know,  is a very subjective issue. Unfortunately, it is also one without a reasonable resolution that most could or would accept. I am personally very satisfied with the process as currently practiced by the SV. I believe that system with it progressive phases to be completely reasonable. I also believe it to be the minimal expectation for any dog chosen to perpetuate the breed.

I am not completely ignorant of the realities of the personalities tangled up it this issue  however. I know some others will likely cringe at the thought of actually have to do something with their dog before they breed him or her. Dogs should not be considered "Breedworthy" because that like to lay on the couch, swim in the creek on hot days,  have lovely white toenails or a great-great-grandfather that earned a CD.

Richard, I believe you are or have been a longtime member of the GSDCA, so I am wondering if you think that the PAM, ATTA,  and other performance/production awards offered by that club have influenced members to train and show their dogs in venues other than conformation?  I was at the NS last year and I thought one of the highlights was recognizing the PAM winners, the service dogs, the police dogs, etc. It seems that every month there are more and more GSD's titling in advanced OB, agility, and so forth.

One of the temperament tests includes gunfire. I forget which one now.

Thanks....

Link to the GSDCA temperament test. It does use gunfire as part of the test. Dogs that pass this will have the TT designation behind their registered name. it is required for eligibllity for some of the GSDCA annual awards.

http://www.showgsd.org/tc.html

Blitzen:

You are right that I was a member of the GSDCA for several years. However, about 10 years ago, my health made a dramatic turn for the worst. After bouts with heart trouble that lead to 7 stents, Colon Cancer and loss of sight in one of my eyes, I dropped out of  almost all of my dog activities.  That is said so that I can say that only recently have I gotten back involved. Therefore I am not aware of all that is actually going on presently. However, I would support any program by the parent club or any other organization's efforts that increase the number of dogs being trained to actually do something other than eat dinner and lie in a crate until the next dogshow. I think the recent organization of the working dog committee under Helen Gleason's guidance to be particularly encouraging especially if it gets the support needed from the board. I also believe the relationship between the GSDCA and the SV/WUSV will greatly improve now that Dr. Goldfarb is the liaison.

I must confess, I haven't been to the NS in many years. I do plan to attend again this year.

I am really happy to hear your comment that there is a new temperament test requiring gunfire. I would hope that the gunfire test would come be a required minimum at all shows and trials (including herding) involving German Shepherd Dogs.

Very sorry to hear about your health issues, Richard. Our lives can change in the blink of an eye.

I've trialed 2 of my dogs for the GSDCA temperament test. One a 10 year old Sch3, UD, etc co-owned with Helen (as you know when you co-own a dog with her, it's not allowed to be a couch potato). The  evaulator knew the dog and said to me - absolutely no commands in German and Sch dogs don't normally react to this test the same as most other GSD's. They usually understand the threatenting stranger is not for real. She was correct, my dog just looked at the stranger flapping around in an oversized raincoat and a floppy hat, then at me, sat down next to me looking very bored . About 3/4 of the dogs tested that day passed and I only remember one that failed the gunfire phase. I think there were a dozen entries, maybe a few more.

The second dog was her g-great granddaughter, 3/4 ASL. She passed too and her reactions were basically the same as the Sch3 other than she seemed to be a lot more focused and concerned about the threatening stranger and the approach by the friendly stranger. Neither reacted to the gunshots other than turning toward the direction and looking for the source..

I'd encourage everyone to try it if there is a test scheduled in your area. It may teach you something about your dog you didn't know. Not on the level of an IPO trial, but a small step in the right direction..... maybe?

Blitzen:

I served as the "aggressive stranger" at a Temperament Test at Dr. Marybelle Adelman's Specialty Club in Western KY a number of years ago. My old friend Bill Collins, founder of the GSDCA-WDA and AKC Judge,  was the evaluator. I don't remember it having the gunfire test however. Maybe that is something that has been added since or possibly I just don't remember it. This was my first and last experience with the Temperament Test but I was pleasantly pleased with how some of the smaller breeds handled it. Coincidentally, I spoke with Marybelle just last evening. I don't know if you know her but she is an AKC herding and conformation judge and a bit of a legend in and around Kentucky. I was happy to hear that she still active and very much involved with the dogs.

Every step away from the status quo designed to improve and evaluate temperament no matter how small becomes a giant step for the breed in this country.

Richard Medlen, 

I see Doc, (Mary Belle Adelman), twice a week when I go for herding lessons, she's still active and busy at 81 years old. She runs our herding club and she is the reason I asked so many of my WL friends to participate in the GSD specialty show the club recently put on. I hope I'm moving and grooving like her when I'm in my 80s.

I love your post, clee27.

I paid a lot of attention to the GSDCa Temperment test 30 years ago.  I quit paying attention tho the "TT"  when they would not fail any dog. A dog failed when they obtained any negative scores in the sum of -3. it could be a single -3 or 3 times -1. The parent club refused to fail any dog .