Keeping Focus On Breed Purpose
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by Christina Potter
The Berger Picard is a fascinating breed. He is intelligent, loving and even-tempered. He is devoted to his people and would give his life for them. As are most continental herders, he is suspicious of strangers and protective. His main problem is that his scruffy, down-to-earth looks attract attention. Many times this attention is accompanied by an unwelcome invasion of his space. One must understand that this four-legged clown does not appreciate impolite behavior. He is nothing if not a gentleman who gives and demands respect. In a country where we expect all our dogs to behave like Golden Retrievers, this presents a challenge.
I’ve been training dogs for more than twenty years and have been involved in performance sports for over fifteen. I’ve worked with multiple dogs from four different AKC groups and have gotten titles in competitive obedience, agility, conformation and rally, in all four breeds that I’ve trained. With my main focus currently being on agility, I have first hand knowledge of the importance and pitfalls of breeding to a breed standard.
When breed standards are written, they are usually done so with the original intent of the breed in mind. Thus, if you are dealing with a herding breed such as the Berger Picard, the standard calls for a dog that is built in such a way that he can work tirelessly for hours, think independently, yet be able to obey commands. When breeders lose focus of a breed’s purpose and concentrate only on what is “showy”, the breed will inevitably suffer. A desirable trait will be exaggerated and correct temperament will be all too often overlooked. Over the years, I have seen many breeds in essence divided into two distinct lines; show dogs and field dogs, or show dogs and working dogs. I have seen breeds that were once aloof turn into fearful dogs, unable to live happy lives. I’ve seen breeds who were once amenable and outgoing turn into aggressive dogs destined to end up in shelters or euthanized.
In the time I have been in Berger Picards, I have seen the focus shifting toward winning in the show ring and away from breeding healthy, well-balanced, even-tempered, practical dogs. I’ve seen specimens that have already gone from being suspicious to being aggressive by nature, from well-built farm dogs to straight fronts that are only useful in a win photo, from healthy prey drive to predatory beings who cannot be trusted with smaller housemates, from rustic looks to overly groomed dogs whose drive has all but disappeared. I’ve seen too much focus placed on one or two traits and not enough on producing well-rounded family members. I am concerned about their future.
However, it is not too late to change our focus. As breeders, judges and dog lovers, it is up to us to ensure that desirable mental and physical attributes are passed on to future generations. There are still many Picards with the great traits needed to keep the breed healthy and sound. Let’s start concentrating on the functional structure and breed-appropriate temperament that will ensure they are well-balanced members of society. Let’s return our breed to the basics while we still can. We owe it to this exceptional breed to keep it that way.
Short URL: http://caninechronicle.com/?p=72559
Posted by ralbee
on Mar 15 2015. Filed under Current Articles, Editorial, Featured.
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