Quote:
Originally Posted by Jennin Lauma
First I must note that I am well aware of the origins / histroy of this breed and it's original purpose. But I know wolves and I know dogs, and I know WORKING dogs especially well. And I think nowadays it is (and should be allready) generally admitted that if you want to have better working dogs, you don't mix wolf into the breeding stock. And IF you do, you need very carefull selection and many generations away from the wolf, to get to a point where you have somewhat homogeneous population of potential dogs (and you most certainly will not have high interest in other things such as keeping the wolfy looks). It (crossing wolf into dogs) is not worth the efforts today, if you only have the working abilities in your mind. The dog population in the world is big enough to scoop from, if there is a need to cross breed for better health or wider gene pool for example. For better working abilities you mix ideal DOGS with suitable traits, and you reach your goal alot faster and easier, and you may even truly create better working dogs compared to what there allready is.
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Sorry, must be language barrier
Yes, we are all here totally aware, that there are much better breeds for IPO, Mondioring or whatever than a wolfdog. What I ment was - wolfdogs are not decorative breeds, it will not be just a nice "wolf" making your garden look better. It has special needs in training, socialisation, everyday work. Yes, they can be agressive, they can be shy, they also know how to bite. We have to remember, that they were really bred (roughly) to attack people, not to hunt, not to bark, not to entertain, not to pull sleds. This requires special knowledge, work and so on, so it is not really a dog who will be "wolfish" in a way many people dream they would be...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jennin Lauma
So, may I ask a few questions:
For who are these dogs truly bred for these days (now that they are nolonger a military experiment)?
Do we need just another German / Belgian Shepherd? -Is it even a realistic goal?
What are the characteristics the average buyers are hoping for their CsV?
If we think about the best intrests of these dogs, wouldn't it be to breed dogs that fill these hopes; that are most suitable for the main target group ~ (= an avarage buyer)?
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Throw stones to me, but to be sure I am allways a little bit surprised in so many people with various breeds, teaching their dogs really a police/military work. I am a journalist and I live in a crowded area in a city, why the hell would I need a dog who barks and attacks?
I need a universal dog, having good reaction in various unexpected situations, totally brave, nice with children and people, but big and strong enought to make me feel safe late at night, also a dog, who really feels the people, their moods and intends - what a wolfdogs is a master of. Predictable, feeling me well (I mean the dog has also to be able to predict his owner), loyal, no need to dress, wash, comb, no smell - perfect for a small apartment. Doesn't care about the weather - so important when you have summers at +30 degreres, long rainy autumns and winters at -20...
In fact I myself am still in love with the primitives - shikokus, malamuts, huskies, but I chose wolfdog just because they are working breed, in this case more oriented to people, more obedient, easier to train.
The breeding goal should be to keep the wolfdogs the way they are - not turning into GSD, neither shy and scared. As healthy as possible. But this is just my personal amateur position.