USCA to develop a plan to improve the breed - Page 6

I am looking for more information on the  Mars excursion. No mention in the UScA agenda. It must be super secret. I would like to buy one ticket and donate it to the most deserving poster [poser] above. any suggestions? 

LoL

​Introspection can be annoying!
 

As long as the AKC doesnt ask for uniform health clearances, working tests or breed tests etc. to be able to register, the betterment of the breed in general is fictional. As long as the UKC registers anything as long as one sends money, your mutt will have papers. (now dont be offended, this is a generalized statement) The general public is proud to have papers in hand, they dont care how they are generated and with whom. I have met 2 people just last week with GSD pups were one of the parents wasnt "registerable" according to the breeder they got them from. They just got them because they were really cheap. Fact is that breeders who give a "damn" are by far outweighed by the BYB who just want to make a quick buck and could care less.

Nothing has been said in particular in regards to USCA wanting to "better the breed". I can only imagine that this might mean a revival of the old registry together with breed suitability tests to create a more uniform/accessible place to send a person to start their research on the GSD breed, including great exemplars of the breed, accomplishments, list of breeders who give a damn ... and so on. IMO educating the average Joe is a good starting point.

Well, I originally posted that form follows function and if we emphasize working ability than form will follow. Wrong! I think I have to adjust my opinion as on the working field, I had to ask on 3 separate instances if the dogs working were indeed purebred. Yikes! They could work like son of a guns but I thought they were Mal crosses! So, form may follow function but not necessarily with type and I think all three are important to make the complete German Shepherd- Working Ability, Proper form/structure, and Type.  The goal should be to have a german shepherd who looks like a german shepherd actually be able to work and only proper form will allow the dog to work and hold up.  The correct form/structure that allows the dogs to hold up to training and be fast and strong seems to follow more WL than SL but the type is definitely needed through the SL dog. So, to me, a working dog that lacks type is just as bad as a showline that can't work.

Also, for all those that question whether the IPO is necessary to prove  dog's worth, I originally thought any performance event would "prove" working ability. However, then I started training for IPO 1.  Well, let me tell you...this IPO will TEST a dog's temperament, nerve, working ability, health, structure, drive, and trainability! I am not saying it is a perfect system but it sure as hell will weed out a crap load of dogs. I am finding it to be the most challenging thing I have ever tried to do with my dog. But,  I decided that if I wanted to breed her than she would have to prove herself through a breed survey. I am working my butt off and it is a very time consuming sport.  But, it is gratifying to see her natural abilities come out in tracking and protection and her willingness shine in obedience. 

Every time I train, I sit at the field and watch the dogs work and ask..."Are they training for IPO 3" and the answer is always ..."No, IPO 1!! The amount of training that has to go into these dogs "just" for IPO1 is mind boggling!!!! If you haven't actually trained than you will never understand..as I had not. Even though we had AKC titles, it was nothing compared to what we are doing now for IPO.  My dog is 28 months, and we just started IPO training a month or so ago. We train weekly with group (protection once a week) and I am now forced to train every day just to keep up. That's obedience daily and tracking a minimum of 3-4 times a week. 

For protection, my dog has a little more pressure put on her every week. First just play but she showed intense interest right off bat. I was complemented on her full grips (which apparently is important and I am just lucky she does it). The intensity picks up each week. One time a mean stare down while she's gripping and lots of eye contact from helper; another a loud aggressive sound to see if she would release or fight (she fought). Next, whip slaps during grip to see if sound made her soften grip (nope-opposite); and lastly we are at point where she was tapped with stick on legs and back during grip (she fought harder). But, the interesting thing is that they are not only looking for a dog that shows good nerve and fight but a dog that will release instantly. I see lots of dogs who are all fight and at first I thought that must be good until I saw the dogs did not out (very, very bad) or they keep biting the sleeve over and over (also not good). So, IPO work really does require a balanced dog that can kind of "flip the switch".

You have no idea the demands placed on the dog during a "simple" IPO 1 test. I know I had no idea! I truly didn't comprehend the scope and expectations for this sport. The precision just for IPO 1 is mind boggling!!!!! I see lots of dogs who cannot do it..either do not have the willingness to work; do not have the trainability to work; do not have the temperament or nerve or drive- especially when pressure is put on them and it is more than just 'tug"; or do not have the structure/health to hold up without getting injured. I also see dogs just flat out quit during a phase. 

So, I know that IPO titles are not the be all, end all but they sure as crap weed out dogs and allow balanced dogs to shine- particularly when coupled with a breed survey.  But, I am new and learning and this is just my experience so far. But, you WILL find out if you have a properly balanced dog in temperament and structure through IPO work!!

Just my two cents.....

Sarah

 

That's a great post, Sarah. I think you will have a long and successful future in this breed .

Thank you Sarah, a very refreshing post.
People need to train in IPO for being able to understand the difference...

@Hired Dog

you are missing something!!!no organisation tells you or told you in the past if you should breed your dog or not and if you breed your dog  with what for a male or female. the only problem in the gsd breed is that we have to many people who breed with no understanding how a good dog must be. the same happen now with the malinois, more and more people breed and more and more shit get produced.

Thanks Blitzen and Susie! My journey with my first registered german shepherd has sure been interesting...to say the least!!   

It was me frequenting this forum that opened my eyes to different opinions on what the German Shepherd should be all about. My personal opinions have definitely changed and the more I learn, the more I realize I never knew and still don't know jack!!

Just when I think we are rocking our training with IPO (total joke but I am staying positive!!), the next dog comes onto the field and never picks its head up in tracking; is robotic in obedience; and incredible in protection and...excuse me...what was that again.....did I hear you correctly...um.....did you really just say..... your dog is...um.... only 10 MONTHS OLD!!! Seriously!! Holy %#$*!!!!! 

People just don't understand the precision that is required for an IPO 1. It is INCREDIBLE to watch these dog work.They are BRED for it and started so very young that they are amazing to watch.
 
I got lucky. I almost gave up training for IPO as I couldn't find a club that would take me. So, I bugged one group so long that one of the women told me about a training group made up of club members that met during the week. Of course, you can't have a full-time job to participate or you need to get the day off weekly.   But, lucky for me...the people who show up have been National team members and top regional competitors who need "extra" training! So, I am like...WOWZERS!!!! They are definitely an inspiration and you don't want to show up for training and look like an ass because you didn't put time into training during the week. I have found that they don't care if you are new or your dog is learning but they do care if you don't put forth the effort and dedication to train. It has forced me to be a better trainer and follow through. 

​We have no clue but we are trying to do our best!!! hahaha

Sarah

Staatsmacht, I am not missing anything, you are correct, too many people are breeding and most of them are breeding away from what the GSD is supposed to be. Too many organizations and names and such, too many beauty contests, etc. I dont come here to debate my beliefs, I dont come here to change minds, I simply state what I see and move on.
As far as Malinois, the breed took a shit when it became popular years a go, still the breed to go to though when you want a working dog, you know why? Because those who breed it dont care about colors, tail carriage or ear set, they care about producing working dogs, papers be damned. When GSD breeders start doing the same thing and charge the same as the Malinois breeders do, maybe the Shepherd will come back. Have a great evening.

stefan, you are absolutely correct. however, policy and standards changes can be put in place (again) that expose poor/bad breeders and stock a lot more and with a paper trail, which is critical for buyers. for arguments sake, a simple policy that mandates both the evaluation and publication of all hip/elbow/spine/dna results can really put some pressure on breeders and prevent the selective withholding of data. while such efforts don't make for a better breeder per se, it certainly can incentivise marginal breeders to get better and scheisters to go on and find another breed to ruin. of course, if the old Schh and TSB rules and judging standards hadn't been bent and watered down to facilitate the passing of subpar dogs solely for the enrichment and ego inflation of a bunch of money grabbing whores, we wouldn't be having these discussions to begin with.