Re: [PyrNet-L] If Pyrs were easy to train...

[Cathryn Lundberg <cathryn@genetics.wisc.edu>]

All this has raised my curiosity. 

Are most Pyr owners not into obedience (competition) training, whether or
not you actually compete? Did you get the breed because this was not
important to you, or did you not fall into it after you got your dog
because --whatever?

How many Pyr owners have trained BOTH a Pyr AND another breed to a high
level of obedience? Like Janice's Newf, but how about other breeds,
particularly in the sporting and herding group? I want to hear your
observations and comparisons. I know there are a few of you out there. 


I have trained one terrier and 4 Pyrs, all to basic obedience, but I have
taken one Pyr a lot farther. I have taught basic obedience for a few years,
so I have a lot of experience with a lot of other breeds (but not at a high
level), and have several friends that  are training at the CDX and UD level
and do tracking and hunting and agility, but they have flatcoateds, labs
and goldens. Speaking of "easy to train" Pyrs, how many of you-all think
you could train a Pyr to pass a hunt test or do tracking? And if you think
you could--why haven't you?  I haven't heard of any hunt tested Pyrs (they
were bred to have no prey drive) and I think the disaster recovery dogs
need to have a high prey drive too, which Pyrs should not have. I HAVE
heard of one or two tracking Pyrs, but I think they tracked on a long line.
I would worry about the off lead thing. 

Aptitude, inclination and intstinct. Obedience trials were initally set up
for guide dog and army dog testing using hunting and herding dogs. The
public got involved. But the Pyrs best skills, IMHO, lie in other
directions. But there is no LGD test. What would you do? Stick a flockguard
in with some sheep and sic some coyotes on him? See how many he loses in a
month or a year? Specatator sport? NOT! Some competition <G>!

BTW, I never said it was easy to train other breeds of dogs to a high level
of obedience. I said it was easier than training a Pyr to that . More
results faster with the same amount of work and technique. The other dogs
are more interested in doing it. They were bred to be that way, as much as
the Pyrs were not. Not every dog is a typical specimen of his breed. There
are goldens who have to be forced to retrieve. There are  Pyrs that won't
guard or that love obedience. But, being as I am interested in the breeding
aspect of things, I think we should remember that we are looking at
breeding the average Pyr, the typical Pyr. Most Pyrs will such and so, and
won't such and so. By no means do I think it should not be done. I think
every Pyr should be obedience trained at a basic level or more-as much as
the owner likes!

Cathryn Lundbertg