This statement about the stability of the CSW begs to be answered.
There are many misconceptions about a CSW, most of them seem to arise from comparing them to other dog breeds – this seems to be one of them.
Certainly the statement about CSW is correct to some exent, it is much harder to correct a training mistake with a CSW than with other breeds, and it is not simple (but nonetheless possible) to train it to recognize a situation as was described above ie: To guard during the night and be friendly to people during the day.
This is simply because CSWs think in a different way from other dogs… they are far more independent and they take their own initiatives – unless checked by a clear message from their master – in any situation.
Does this make them unstable? Hardly. I have two CSW and I can predict their behaviour without much trouble 99% of the time (yes there is that niggling 1% - but in my experience that is there in the best trained Malinois or German shepherd too). Furthermore the character of the CSW is intrinsically predictable – within certain limits. Take any pup from the breed, and so long as it has been raised by a decent breeder (who provides the pup with all it needs in the first few weeks of life – a short but critical period) and as a norm you will know what kind of dog you are getting, though naturally within certain limits. Once you get the dog it is up to you to educate, train and raise it – This shapes the character of the dog in some ways, but unless the input which the dog receives from its owner is confusing or inconsistent (always from the dog’s point of view!) then the character of the dog will be stable (predictable – at least by its master) and he will make a great companion and potentially a great working dog too (if that is what he has been taught to do)
The example of the dog in the office is a telling one, because it shows how the expectations of that person are linked to his understanding of other breeds – as the CSW does not perform like another breed then he is “unstable and dangerous”
Now what would happen if I had my CSWs in an office? During the day they would have learnt to accept that people come and go – they would not react to them in any way. At night they would probably alert me in some way (not necessarily by barking mind you) if someone was approaching but they would again, not necessarily attack.
However should I be threatened be it night or day and be it by a stranger or by someone the dogs know well – the reaction will be fast and simple, my dogs will protect me – and on my (stern and strict!) command they will stop any protective behaviour they may have started.
Does that make them unstable? I don’t think so – it makes them independent. They will listen to their pack leader but they retain the right to act on their own judgement, which is shaped by what I have taught them (they would never see a yelling screaming running child as a threat – even if it was to poke them in eye – Not talking through my teeth here I have seen this happen). No the CSW is very stable and with the right training they are no more dangerous than any large dog with a powerful jaw. But if you think a CSW should act and behave like a German Shepherd or a Malinois (no offence meant to either of those great breeds) then you are simply going to be frustrated, and pass by the opportunity of knowing a great animal.
“Dangerous and Unstable”? No… just different. Wonderfully different.
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