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Date Posted: 12:48:34 10/22/10 Fri
Author: Rayna
Subject: Re: I hope you don't mind me asking
In reply to: DKH 's message, "Re: I hope you don't mind me asking" on 08:42:52 10/22/10 Fri

Great topic David.

I recently was involved in a discussion on Banter about working dogs. I asked the board what their opinion of a working dog was. Funny how I was bashed by several so called "working" people yet none could tell me what working meant. So I called them sport people and again I was bashed! Funny thing is, the majority of the breeds that actually do bite work are breeds not designed for protection at all. GSD, Mal, Bovs are herding breeds. Bulldogs are catch dogs, yet when I actually work my dog in a setting he was truely designed for I am in the wrong. If my dog stops a stranger at the gate he has done what he is meant to do.
Why would I want a guardian breed with prey drive? Do I want my dog to chase the bad guy down the road? No...just out of my yard. Do I need my dog to chase cows and sheep? No...it's nice when they can help out and perform some herding. But not why I have him. So why would I add drive to a breed that isn't meant to have it? If my dog can run with me every day and maybe pull some heavy loads around, keep strangers away then I consider him useful.
I have a Border Collie that does bitework. Can I call her a true working dog and put my life in her paws? Even tho she wouldn't hurt any one without the sleeve...
So I think it's fair to say you have a true working dog, if the dog is actually performing useful work. Protection training to me is useful to military and police. If Joe Blow is going to do it, call it what it is, a sport. Nothing wrong with taking up a sport. Get your herding breeds out there to herd some livestock and your bulldogs to catch some wild hogs, then call them a working dog.

I have done my part to keep the Boerboel as true of a working dog as I can. I backed off breeding and left it to those that can provide working dogs to true working homes. I do occassionally stud out my boy but the female has to be a dandy. I do breed Border Collies for sport and some for work.

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