Choosing a Working & Sporting Dog

How to Choose a “Right” Working Dog?

Malinois Training

Knowledge & Experience Are Required to Find the Best Working Dog

Almost every amateur dog owner involved in the K9 training process will notice the difference between work of his ward and of “that dog”. And he will definitely have a thought: “Why does my dog perform commands without excitement or doesn’t do them at all, but “that dog” works persistently, happily and brightly? Maybe I am out of luck with the dog? Maybe should I buy another dog for professional training?” But what if you want to make a great athlete from the first and so beloved dog? How to not mistake in choosing a right working and sporting dog? 

Amstaff Training

Bite Tug Training Is a First Step in Protection Work
Step 1
What was the breed developed for? This simple question gives you a start in choosing a dog. The majority of the dogs were bred to solve specific practical tasks (hunting, guarding, etc.) set by a human. People selected dogs with required qualities for breeding.
Mainly working skills, physical peculiarities and traits are predetermined genetically. But a “universal dog” with all required working features doesn’t exist.

Conclusion 1
To choose a right breed according to your demands is a key to success.

Doberman with Owner
   
What Is Your Goal - Show or Sport?
Step 2
Training or show? It’s another complicated question. You should imaging clearly what do you want – go in for sports or take part in dog shows, as it will be difficult to combine them in most cases. Many working dogs bred for shows don’t display required guard traits nowadays. The problem is rooted in the previous century.
Dividing custom breeding to the working and conformation lines started gradually in the first half of XX century. There are several reasons for this. Demand in practical work of many working and hunting breeds reduced greatly in the majority of European countries – motherland of selective dog breeding. General standard of live grew and many families got an opportunity to own a companion pet, not an assistant and a guard. Hunting lands and animal farming reduced abruptly, while dog shows started to develop actively. That’s why dog breeding for service purposes only began to lose its influence on the breed in general.

American Bully in Training
    
Not All Dogs Saved Their Initial Working Qualities

Working dogs saved an absolute priority only where working qualities had fundamental importance (police, military, hunting, pasturable spheres, etc.). This process was lasting during the century and led to inner dividing of custom breeds. Working features failed to be fundamental for a number of dogs not involved in service and professional dog sport. They sometimes hamper dog’s show carrier or living in a society connected with more and more restrictions in temper and behaviour, that’s why it is natural to lose them almost totally by working dog breeds.

Conclusion 2
A dog of working bloodline can succeed in training, sport, guard, retrieve or hunting work. Required traits are maintained and strengthen in such animals from generation to generation due to practical work or sport.

GSD and Handler

Choose a Right Dog Bloodline
Step 3
Where can you find a dog of a working bloodline? Line breeding is a way of mating a dog to a member of an earlier generation of its bloodline keeping specific qualities. Line breeding allows to strengthen and to fix a lot of desirable features, physical and behavioural as well.
Line breeding is a leading method of many breeders’ work. Professional dog trainers choose dogs analysing information of breeders and their offspring. You must obtain required knowledge and pretty much experience to choose a dog. Amateur dog trainers are often lack of them. The most common mistake is to choose a dog relying on its parents’ titles only. You should know that excellent parents are not a guarantee of the great offspring, and, in addition, distinguish working and show titles. The best way is to see potential breeders during training or competitions.

Cane Corso and Handler
 
Don't Hesitate to Ask Other Trainers

It is useful to watch the dog training. If someone catches your attention, you are free to come and ask about the dog. The majority of dog trainers share info with novices with pleasure. You can also get a lot of comprehensive first-hand information at the dog shows and competitions where many four-legged athletes and their trainers are gathered. There is lots of useful information on the different web-sites, forums, social networks. But you should learn to outline the main and don’t haste.

Conclusion 3
If you have some theoretical experience and practice at the training field, you know the handler and trust him, consult him. Especially is there are dogs that “amaze” you. Professional dog trainers are often breeders at the same time. But it is not required to take a dog from his kennel. It’s clear that there is also a positive point, as the breeder is interested in good training of his dogs.
 
Retriever Playing

You Must Be on the Same Wavelength with Your Dog

There is also one important thing that is often skipped by potential dog owners. It is a psychological compatibility between a dog and its owner, their characters, tempers, and physical power. Further results are connected with it in many ways. Neglecting of this point can bring to nothing your efforts even with a good dog.

Quality K9 equipment also matters, so train your dog with our K9 training supplies and dog bite tugs and reach excellent results!