So test them. I do. Myself. If I am not sure, I'll ask another person whose knowledge I trust. But I dont need a few letters to be satisfied, unless I am going to be working on that venue. I can test my dogs for obedience, herding, bite work (yup, have had 3 dogs in recent years that a couple, not one but 2 SCH trainers wanted me to send to them for training....not happening, these guys dont leave my side). I was well satisfied with what I found. Didn't need anyone's confirmation for my satisfaction. Didn't need anyone feeding my ego. I knew what I had and that was good enough for me. I have had dogs with Obedience titles, Herding Titles and a brother who did German style training. If him and I together couldn't figure out a dog, we didn't need that dog. My grandfather was a dog whisperer way before that term became fashion. And because his dogs worked on his farm, everyday, form HAD to be followed by function. They didn't have titles, they were just good dogs. Know what you want, and your goal. Test away! * Ileana * Inquest GSD's, Home of : BISS 3x Sel EX AM CH & 2x Sel CAN CH Karizma's Cacique of Inquest TC, aka DEXTER Kaleef's Expensive Date (major pointed) aka JACKIE and the Poodle Patrol, Bunny, Huckleberry and Doc Holliday In a message dated 12/9/2011 8:52:33 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, ninemaplefarm@xxxxxx writes: But, if one never tests the dog to see if it can still function than how would one know that the form is correct? Sara ============================================================================ POST is Copyrighted 2011. All material remains the property of the original author and of GSD Communication, Inc. NO REPRODUCTIONS or FORWARDS of any kind are permitted without prior permission of the original author AND of the Showgsd-l Management. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Each Author is responsible for the content of his/her post. This group and its administrators are not responsible for the comments or opinions expressed in any post. ALL PERSONS ARE ON NOTICE THAT THE FORWARDING, REPRODUCTION OR USE IN ANY MANNER OF ANY MATERIAL WHICH APPEARS ON SHOWGSD-L WITHOUT THE EXPRESS PERMISSION OF ALL PARTIES TO THE POST AND THE LIST MANAGEMENT IS EXPRESSLY FORBIDDEN, AND IS A VIOLATION OF LAW. VIOLATORS OF THIS PROHIBITION WILL BE PROSECUTED. For assistance, please contact the List Management at admin@xxxxxxxxxxx VISIT OUR WEBSITE - http://showgsd.org SUBSCRIPTION:http://showgsd.org/mail.html NATIONAL BLOG - http://gsdnational.blogspot.com/ ============================================================================