Post
by TrueBlu Shorthairs » Tue May 13, 2008 7:15 am
Ezzy, I don't believe I said the AA dog is the "ultimate dog". I do believe the true AA dog is the dog that will produce dogs who are winners in horseback and walking trial formats. Most pups from an AA dam and an AA sire are going to be nice hunting dogs if the breeding is one of two all around nice dogs. However, most dogs from that litter will be not much more then nice AKC Gun dogs, maybe an AA dog, maybe a couple of Shooting Dogs, if given a chance in the right place. However, if one breeds some no name no pedigreed half decent hunting dog to his buddies hunting dog who is just a decent dog, then in a couple of generations you can easily have nothing. In trial formats, the Shooting Dog and the All Age dog who consistently wins, who shows intelligence in his search, who has the speed, gait, style, and mostly TRAINABILITY and BIRD SENSE is the ultimate dog in my eyes. That dog has now shown that he not only is independent and bold in his search, but that he will handle, do it for the team, and will take training far beyond what 99% of hunters will ever want or be able to put on the dog. The consistently winning Shooting Dog and All Age dog is the dog that most should consider for their breeding program, if they are to improve most breeds.
Janet, we've had this discussion many many times, but please don't make a blanket statement about a breed, single them out, and act as though you know all the facts. Where the English Pointer has been bred into the GSP at times by certain people. Where at any given event, NSTRA, NAVHDA, AKC, or American Field, you can find registered GSPs with dish faces, round eyes, short ears, etc. etc. You will find far more who show no signs of EP. Remember, the GSPCA trial folks are the ones who made it mandatory that all dogs who are entered must be DNA profiled, even futurity dogs. Be assured, most of the trial breeders are not breeding to dogs who look to be Pointer. Yes, there are some. But, it is a very small percentage. Further, why do some GWPs run to the next county? Particularly the dogs up in the NW? MUST be EP right. How 'bout those dish faced Viszlas? Short coated Brits? What about those long eared, snippy headed square oval eyed lover headed English Pointers? Are they GSP? The AA GSP of 50 years ago was our shorter Gun Dog of today in most cases. Why? Yes, some due to Pointer crosses. But, I can see drastic differences in my 8 year old female, her son FC TrueBlu's Hud's Kickin Up Dust, and now his get. Drastic differences!! Three generations in 8 years. Must be the Miller dogs I bred into the line!!?? Hardly! Shoot, I have a male who is triple FC Rockin Rollin Billy. Amazing he looks nothing like Billy. Again, is it that pointer with his tail cut off in my kennel?
Further, the Gun Dog of today is not some run off idiot as those who don't trial seem to believe. He's a nice under control easy handling dog that doesn't range a mile. He's a 300 yard dog most of the time. To go from a 100 yard dog in 1965 to a 300 yard dog in 2007 isn't much of a stretch.
Those who degrade trials are typically those who have never attended a single event, make claims about the looks of trial dogs without seeing any of them, maybe pictures, and who will buy a dog who is the grandson of a Clown female bred to a Slick male, then claim trial bred dogs are run offs, all the time telling everyone about their brag hunting dog.
No, the best way to produce dual type dogs is to find trial winners who fit the standard, not breed some old show bred dog to a trial winner. You only get a 4th place Gun Dog who can't finish in the show ring.
I like the Shorthair....how is Belle
