Okay, It's time to get everyone thinking again. Only this time lets all try to keep it civil. The last major world shaking event in the GP circle, was our size in our Standard. Do we disqualify or don't we?!
Next!! What group should this breed be in?! Right now the German Pinscher is classified as a working dog. Yes I know that is where it is at, in the FCI shows. But is that where the breed belongs here in America?!
My choice would be the "terrier group". Not the "working group". The future of this breed will solely depend on where it is placed when finally getting its AKC acceptance.
Here is my argument! The GP is a very attractive dog. We all know that is why we were all attracted to it in the first place. What everyone first sees is the little Doberman. Yes, Yes I know, we all try to explain to the interested public that this is not a "little Doberman," and it doesn't act like a Doberman. The GP is much more active, much more territorial and very prey oriented (which means that they tend to go after anything that appears in their world. This could mean squirrels, moles, cats, small dogs, the kids next door etc. You get the idea). Combined with these winning traits, you also have the undeniable fact that they are thick headed. Which means they do what they want when they want to, if they so choose, as long as they are not on the end of a leash. Lets face it, if you have a GP that has his mind set on doing something, he is not going to return, just because you called him back. It does not matter what octave you scream or how long. And no, -- even yelling through a bull horn doesn't get their attention. He won't be back until he has finished his mission.
Yes I know, Yours is not like this, your GP comes on command and returns immediately when you call. And I know you never have to yell!!! Well, mine don't. The only way I can get a quick return is on the end of a bungee cord. And needless to say it is not from lack of effort and training. I can list to my credits an Afghan with a C.D. title, Rottweilers who lived their entire lives without a leash on, even a deaf Boston terrier who returned on hand signals, so it goes without saying that I have had an obedience work background. So let's get back on track here. Is the GP a terrier or a working dog?
To me a working dog is a dog who does a job on command. Not a dog who "works independently," as some people say. "The GP works on its own and does his job without commands." I'm sorry, to me that is not a working dog. That is a dog living completely on instinct, or instinctive behavior patterns. Some people will argue!! Well, the dog is doing it's job!!! So it is a working dog. I'm sorry, I don't agree. If that was the case then why is the dachshund in the hound group and not a working group dog? Or what about the Irish wolf hound, the German short haired pointer, the Siberian husky, the collie. These dogs, as almost every other breed were selectively bred and produced to do a service, or particular job, but that does not make them a working dog.
Your working dog is a breed that works for mankind. Working dogs were bred to make life easier for its master. They should do a job to benefit their owner-to help-or to be eager to please, obedient.
The public, as a whole, expects behavior in a working dog in an entirely different way. The GP, if classified as a working dog is going to be leading all interested people astray. I don't care how many times you say This is not a (little Doberman) people in general are going to see a little Doberman in the working group and they are going to expect a totally different attitude than the GP is going to give them. They are going to purchase this "working dog" quote ... unquote. And they are going to expect it to be an obedient working dog. Good both on and off lead and that is not what they are going to get. Are these new owners going to tolerate the GP's independent attitude or would they be more likely to accept and enjoy a GP if they bought one knowing and accepting their terrier attitude. Not everyone in this world is attracted to the terrier. Matter of fact, it is probably the least attractive group you would want a dog from if you are the average pet owner who is looking for an easy going, easy to get along with dog. Yet on the other side of the coin, these average pet owners are going to be attracted to the GP's for their overall eye appeal. They are a small but not too small size, short, easy to maintain, wash and wear coat. With exceptionally handsome looks. The macho dog in a small package.
I must say, if I was in sales and marketing I would be overwhelmed with the marketing possibilities of this new on the horizon, everybody should have at least one, kind of dog. But, after owning GP's in this past chapter in my life, I am not only skeptical but also terrified for the future of this breed. (If it stays in the Working Dog category that it has mistakenly slipped into.)
The survival and future of this breed depends solely on its group placement as we move closer to AKC acceptance. Do we end up with a breed that totally disappoints and frustrates its new owners as a working dog group wanna be, or do we end up with more satisfied and understanding owners who acquire a GP knowing of their terrier type attitudes and their feisty nature - appreciating them for what they are and not expecting something which they are not.
When I purchased my first German Pinscher "Rocky" in 1985, it was because I was looking for a "real dog" to do obedience with.
I had owned 2 German Shepherd Dogs - one from the "pound" in Redding Ca., and one from the "animal shelter" in Helena, Mt. I really didn't do "any" obedience with either of them - they were Shepherds - hardly left my side - came every time I called them.
By the time I got Rocky - I owned and had obedience trained 2 wolf/hybrids "Lobo and Wolfen". Hey....no one told me wolf/hybrids were "not" trainable.
So, looking for a real dog - my choice was a "small sized Doberman", so I could show in AKC obedience. I didn't really want another shepherd - bigger than I really wanted - besides, I all ready had Lobo and Wolfen hair in the house - since they were "house" dogs.
When I saw the ad in the Los Angeles times for a "German Pinscher" I though it was a misprint. The ad continued to run - so I called on it. The lady's answer to my Question of "What's a German Pinscher?" "Oh, it's just like a little Doberman. EXCEPT - it's a Rare Breed - not in AKC yet." I asked, "What Group do they show in?" Answer "Working Group."
Well, did that fit perfectly with the type of dog I was looking for, or what?
Over the years when the question of "Group" has come up, I've always been adamant "WORKING".
If you look at my web site www.empirenet.com/~blazersc/ you will see that I address their very terrier type temperament - then justify it by explaining that some dogs in the "working group" do their "work" for man - although they work independent of man. Well, while that may be true of some of the breeds in the "Rare Breed Working Group" - I have to agree with the "Food for Thought" contributor - that is not the case with the AKC Working Group.
The 3 GP's I've taken back for so called "temperament problems" weren't having any problems whatsoever - they were simply acting exactly the way GP's do. Like terriers.
I have now had experience in obedience training and I have put CD's on an Afghan Hound (he was 9 years old when I started his training) German Shepherd Dogs, Rottweilers, Belgian Tervurens, German Pinschers and I've taught basic obedience classes for years ....
And after living with GP's for nearly 15 years, I must say that I agree - Terrier Group - NOT Working Group.