Several years ago I was involved with a group of Rottweiler owners/breeders/exhibitors that formed a Schutzhund club, they had helpers come over from Germany to give Seminars and test the dogs and held conformation shows each year as well. Several GSD people came to the club as well, we had fun calling each others dogs pig dogs and swamp collies. They were a great group of dedicated people that took the training and showing very seriously. I ended up being the interpreter for their German Style Conformation Shows for 4 year. At that time I owned a GV Quick son, who was my first AKC Champion, a wonderful dog! When the club brought in a helper from Germany I decided to test "Hank" just for fun, since the Rotti people always made fun of my "angulated" show dog. He was around 15 months old, had never seen a tug, rag or sleeve. After each dog tested the helper would tell the owner what he thought of the dog's responses etc. and would answer any questions one might have. He informed me that Hank had the desire to please me, and would be able to be trained to get a SchHI but felt his drives were not intense enough for a II or a III. He did say he was impressed with his responses knowing he had no german blood in him. :) I was good with that, I would LOVE to own a SchH dog someday, but I do know one thing, it is a dedicated sport, one can not go into it half heartedly. Right now, I truly don't have the time to devote to it and my conformation showing, along with working full time and taking care of 10 acres and my lifestock. It's easy to say one should do it all, but for me personally, I want to do other things besides just the dogs, so I know my limits, and choose to spend my time in the breed ring. It does not mean my dogs can't do more, it just means "I" can't do more, choose not to, and that is ok with me. :) I don't feel I'm ignoring the working ability part of the standard by not choosing to herd or do SchH though. Suitability for work can be defined in many different ways, the dogs I have are what suits my lifestyle and demands. Perhaps you can make it your goal be to have an American Champion that will also be a SchHI, II or even III, that would be VERY cool and a great accomplishment. Have a great weekend, best of luck with all your endeavors! Chris Chris S. Kimerer Tanbark-Hillside Kennels, http://www.tanbarkgsd.com/ "where good bloodlines never die" >________________________________ > From: Sarah Minsk <gsdworkingline@xxxxxxxxx> >To: GSD List <showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> >Sent: Thursday, September 12, 2013 7:21 PM >Subject: [ SHOWGSD-L ] American lines and ScH > > >Ok....my last comments on this!! A lot of breeders "say" their dogs can do >ScH but they never actually do it!!! You just don't know if your dog can do it >until you actually do it. Just because a dog is protective does not mean it >has the nerve and balanced drive to perform bitework while under pressure and >then immediately release upon command and perform obedience instantaneously!! >It requires a very balanced dog in temperament. ScH isn't just about attacking >people. In fact, that kind of aggression will fail in ScH judging by the >personal experiences I have had at several ScH club training fields. It is >this supreme balance in disposition that ScH will test for and reward. If you >have never been to a ScH training field with your dog and trained alongside >these dogs and watched the Helpers in protection work than you will have a >hard time judging what qualities are needed to succeed. > >It would be interesting if one had the time to simply bring their dog for >testing to a ScH club. That would involve a one time trip and no additional >time or expense. However, it will give you a great idea of what you really >have or think you have..... > >But, again, my dream is to have a Conformation dog that could get a ScH title >and breed survey and also herd (through instinct over training). So, I have a >lot to work towards but I think that is the true breed standard. > >Is it ok to focus on one without the other because of time or money? Is it ok >to focus on conformation only and ignore the rest of the standard that calls >for working ability? No. Is it ok to focus on ScH or herding and ignore the >rest of the standard that calls for type and conformation. No. Why is it ever >ok to choose one part of the standard as being more important than the others? >There is either a standard or not....regardless of time or money. Yes, people >can do what they want with their dogs as it is their time and money. But, I >would hope that all breeders would want to challenge their dogs and do their >best to conform to the breed standard both in conformation and working >ability. It should be about protecting the breed and not just boosting our own >egos with our hobby. > >But, just my two cents!! Trying to take all viewpoints and validate them and >give them all a fair shake in my head. I don't mind if people have a >different point of view. I will try hard to see their point regardless and >respect their opinion. > >Thanks for all the responses both publicly and privately!!! I am already >learning a lot with a lot of great advice- that I appreciate!!!!!! > >Thanks again, >Sarah > > > >===========================================================================>POST > is Copyrighted 2012. 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/ >===========================================================================> > > ============================================================================ POST is Copyrighted 2012. 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/ ============================================================================