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Post by rosamburg on Feb 10, 2011 11:57:34 GMT -5
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Post by John K on Feb 10, 2011 13:45:02 GMT -5
Great article Steve....thanks for posting. Relating to the Dobermann, it's unfortunate but I find myself in the category that has given up.
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Post by vrulli on Feb 10, 2011 15:47:16 GMT -5
You have given up on Schutzhund or the Doberman?  The politics turn allot of people off anyway. |
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Post by John K on Feb 11, 2011 9:20:51 GMT -5
oh, i'm not done with either but have given up trying to change perceptions on what is needed.....i will continue to do what i believe is best for the breed but it is beyond an uphill battle.
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Post by vrulli on Feb 11, 2011 10:51:14 GMT -5
Well that is good to hear!
Hear your frustration and it echos what the author describes as well.
In his case, he's chosen to breed the type of dog he wants. Heard they are very powerful types and too strong for most.
I admire people whom are true to their convictions and unbiased.
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Post by elucas on Feb 11, 2011 11:00:04 GMT -5
Really, an informed buyer in GSDs or Dobermans should be able to find a solid working dog that fits their needs. So while I do believe that both breeds have plenty of dogs in it that have titles (even Korung, or SchH 3) that may not be suitable for breeding, there are some stars out there.
I feel the crux is this though... if you make SchH so exclusive that one has to have super-duper dog, then the sport dies. The sport needs the weekender to maintain critical mass, IMO. Besides, handlers have to start somewhere. Most brand new people would find an exeptionally hard dog too much for them.
I wouldn't mind seeing a "breeder class" of SchH emerge. One juged with breeding in mind and not just the rules of the game. Think about it. If in the breeding class, experienced judges gave out critiques such as "high aggression, but slightly hectic in grip" (almost like a conformation critique), then breeders can look at not only scores, but also the critique.
That way, the "weekender" can claim titles all they want, but if they want to become a breeder, then the bar is set higher.
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Post by aweaver on Feb 11, 2011 17:49:19 GMT -5
But judges DO give critiques of the routines that they judge. Almost all of the judges I have trialed under are fairly forthcoming in their assessments of the work they see. Usually more so in the verbal critique than what they might reflect in the actual score. It is up to the handler (or more specific to this discussion, the breeder) to seriously consider the entire critique and take the blinders off when it comes to their own breeding stock. Videotaping your routine during a trial not only helps you to see what needs to be improved, but also videotaping the judge’s critique allows you to return to it when you can better concentrate on the assessment, both the good and the bad.
Alissa
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Post by rosamburg on Feb 11, 2011 21:00:31 GMT -5
There is a system in place. Namely V scores are supposed to only be awarded with dogs that show excellence in all of the exercises. In terms of actual quality of the dog, a dog that is technically correct but lacks power and conviction should not be given a V score. Unfortunately many judges award V scores to dogs that should not break 90. This is a disservice to everyone including the breed. I see it exactly how the author of the article sees it. In too many situations in Schutzhund it becomes a conspiracy, from the judge to the club to the helper.
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Post by elucas on Feb 11, 2011 22:01:11 GMT -5
I think a written critique could be nice still. On dogs where the training maybe isn't so good so the scores are really low, wouldn't it be nice to have a written critique to help narrow the search?
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Post by rosamburg on Feb 12, 2011 1:22:39 GMT -5
I think a written critique could be nice still. On dogs where the training maybe isn't so good so the scores are really low, wouldn't it be nice to have a written critique to help narrow the search? Maybe, but you still need to see the dog, and try to match traits your dog needs with what the other dog brings and vice versa. You still need to strive for balance. You can't necessarily get by breeding to the flavor of the month. The other part of that is you have to trust the judge. There are too many that apparently don't know dogs too well. |
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