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Date Posted: 11:57:38 10/20/03 Mon
Author: Cheryl
Subject: Re: Appraisals Pro's and Con's
In reply to: TMoran 's message, "Appraisals Pro's and Con's" on 10:00:31 10/19/03 Sun

My own personal views are this:

Conformation is required to ensure the dog carries the correct physical attributes of the breed. Having a governing body appraise this, and separate those who are suitable “physically” and those which are not is a wonderful system if taken at its true value and viewed as a beneficial tool…and one of several tools to “measure” if you will. It is not the end all be all…but it provides a very good start. This corrects many of the problems with breeding physically inferior dogs, kennel blindness, etc. It is a unique system and I believe a necessary one.

I agree that if we could separate the averaged number into several numbers indicating the different areas, it would provide a much better tool. Kind of like when discussing the blonde bombshell…she is either described by measurements (36-26-36), or given a general number on a scale of 1 to 10. The first numbers being much more specific and detailed rather than a generalization. I think this would be a great change to an already beneficial system.

Temperament is difficult to test (genetic temperament vs. conditioned temperament), but should always be considered by those appraising/judging the dogs. Any excessively shy, fearful, puddle piddling dogs should be asked to leave…as well as the other extreme. I agree that a dog should be able to handle itself in public, be confident, controlled, and alert. These are all things that can be observed by a watchful eye.

Ideally all potential breeding BB should be able to pass a CGC or a form of “good citizen testing”, and possibly this should be a mandatory part of an “appraisal” system.

Working ability, including stamina and agility are one of the most necessary components, but the problem becomes the HOW. I don’t think that the majority dispute that it SHOULD be tested…just the actual process and policing of such testing. I do not feel it would ever be practical to have such testing become a mandatory part of registry or appraisal, but it is necessary as another tool available to breeders. Testing a boerboels working ability incorporates the health aspects as well. More times than not, a dog with hip or joint problems will have difficulty doing well in a physically challenging test.

Testing “willingness to protect” at sanctioned events as a measure of a dogs ability: I do have concern with this one. It would really depend on the handler, the dogs previous experiences/training, and who was conducting the testing and how. I would not easily allow anyone to work my dogs involving any bite work or agitation, and it would seriously hinge on how the testing was being performed. I do not feel that testing in this capacity should be mandatory, but rather voluntary. Not because it is not important, but because the outside variables are too great to make a pass or fail judgement on the dogs at a one or two day event.

Working ability “testing” should be at the top of the list of priorities, to allow breeders to achieve working titles etc. possibly in a forum specific to the breed, but it should remain the responsibility of the individuals. This is where competition becomes a key player as well. If breeders begin working their dogs in a breed specific testing and are beginning to accumulate titles/merit of some kind, then it is highly likely that competition will push others to do the same. It will eventually begin to be more desirable to the public to have dogs from titled working lines than not and breeders will be pressured to earn titles and prove their dogs. This is where competition is a good thing.

There have been, and are so many arguments regarding this that we could discuss this until pigs fly. Some breeders will breed for working ability, others will not. It is almost impossible to force this, or accurately measure based on one set of ideals by one organization. I will try not to turn this into a 10 page discussion but it is a huge topic. Look at the differences in opinion surrounding Schutzhund. Some believe this is an accurate test to determine the ability of GSD in a breed specific forum. Others believe this has become nothing more than a “sport” and has little bearing on real life situations.

Health testing has always been the responsibility of the breeders. It may be possible for a registry or governing body to set limitations and guidelines of what is acceptable, and require submission of certifications but they certainly can’t be responsible to police this in any further capacity. Then I would think it becomes their liability to ensure documents are not falsified ect….that becomes a whole new can of worms. This is where it becomes the responsibility of the breeder themselves and the buyers to do their homework.

No breed (at least that I am aware of) requires a copy of hip certification before a dog can be judged in conformation.

Each of these areas (conformation, temperament, endurance/ability and health testing) are all individual tools utilized by breeders to measure the “total dog”. Each on its own is not enough.

All of these elements need to come together though people working together, discussions such as these, and forums made available. No one organization will be able to police everything, nor is it practical to want them to. It also is an “all your eggs in one basket” theory. I think one of the problems is that people are expecting a larger body to be responsible for the actions of the individuals.

When looking at each separate quality, I think it is smarter to look at each individual area as that…separate. If my car needs engine repair, I take it to my mechanic, if it has a dent, I take it to a body specialist, if the windshield is chipped…the window/glass guy, if my oil needs changing ….I call hubby!!!…but I don’t expect the body shop guy to check the timing, change the oil, inspect emissions, and clear my car for a 12 point safety inspection. All of these things, the “total” car, is my responsibility to make sure everything is in order before driving.


Speaking of cars, I thought I might share our newest “sports compact”, lol… don’t let her small size fool you, this little baby has a full size turbo engine under the hood!!!




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