If you hang out in any IGP or PSA Facebook groups, you will start to see a trend. People are looking for advice on selecting an “off breed” for a biting dog sport, or for a club that will let them play. While Malinois and German Shepherds are commonplace in these sports, you will occasionally see other breeds crop up. Traditionally, Dobermans, Rottweilers, Boxers, and Giant Schnauzers have all been participants in these sports, and there are breeders today who still work to preserve their working character. However, every now and then, you see something different. Somebody working their lab/cattle dog/collie in IGP protection, or trying to get a PDC with one. Some can pull it off, but most can’t. They do not have the right building blocks.
The History of Protection Sports
Schutzhund, now known as IGP, is the sport that most people are familiar with when it comes to protection sports. It features tracking, obedience, and protection, and was designed as a breed suitability test for the German Shepherd. Over time, these sports have developed into more of a sport than a breeding or police dog test. We now have specific lines of Malinois for IGP, specific ones for French ring, and still others for the KNPV sport in Holland. A German Shepherd who competes in the AKC show ring generally does not have the same character as a modern working-bred GSD, who excels in all three phases of the IGP sport that they have been selected for.
Slight Off Breeds
After Malinois, German Shepherds, and Dutch Shepherds, there are a couple of breeds that you will see relatively frequently in protection sports. Dobermans are probably the next most common, followed by Rottweilers, Boxers, and other bully breeds, as well as Mastiff breeds such as the Cane Corso. These dogs can achieve high levels of success in these sports. However, there are some issues. The selection pressures on these breeds have not been the same as the main three breeds. Most of these dogs that you see from reputable breeders today are being bred for the show ring or for performance sports, and there isn’t as much focus on the things that a protection dog needs. There are health and structure issues that can cause these dogs to have problems moving to higher levels of sport, especially in the ringsports. So while there are some phenomenal working Dobermans out there, they are hard to come by.
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Very Off Breeds
A border collie competed at the FCI IGP World Championships, and people were all about it. It was a much different experience to see a border collie among a sea of shepherds and Malinois. However, even this exceptional border collie could not muster a passing score under the pressure of the world championship. While there are a good number of breeds with Schutzhund 3 titles, such as Labs, Goldens, a Great Dane, some cattle dogs, and border collies, these dogs become beacons for people who want to prove that any dog can participate in the sport. But for every dog that you see making it through at the club level, there are thousands who would not and should not. Each breed has specific genetics that make them suited for certain tasks, and trying to force a dog that lacks those genetics into a sport can lead to significant issues.
Why can’t you just teach the dog to go down the field and bite the tug? Because the dog’s genetic makeup plays a crucial role in their ability to handle pressure and challenges in protection sports. While some dogs may excel in a different task, such as herding or retrieving, they may not possess the necessary traits to perform well in protection sports. Each breed has been shaped over hundreds of years to excel in specific areas, and it’s important to respect and honor those genetic traits.
In conclusion, while it may be intriguing to consider using “off breeds” in bite sports, it’s crucial to understand that these sports have specific requirements and challenges that not all breeds are suited for. Breeds like Malinois and German Shepherds have been carefully selected and bred for generations to excel in these sports, and while it’s possible for some off breeds to participate, it’s not as common or simple as it may seem. Each breed has its own purpose and genetic traits that make it suitable for certain tasks. So, if you’re looking to explore bite sports, consider breeds that have a proven history and genetic foundation in these sports. And remember, if you want to stay up-to-date with the latest hot news, visit HOT NEWS DAY!
