What makes a breed a 'breed'? Discussions

Because NIs do it for FUN - because both they and their owners enjoy it. As I said before, sled dogs are not for everyone. I don't think I would make the best owner for a purposely bred sled dog, but that doesn't mean I wouldn't enjoy doing sled work with my dog if he was capable and ENJOYED it.

Because many NIs and their owners enjoy it.

NIs are NOT a working breed. That doesn't mean they're not capable of any work. Wikipedia is very unreliable as a source of information - ANYONE can edit it.

Oooh, I love general knowledge ......Hamsters !

Just wondered why you consider the idea of a powful working dog pulling a rig so amusing?

I think you are reading to much into the fact it was a working demo. It was a working demo becaus the rig was brought and people were show how to set it up. In the same way if you went to a demo on pottery and the wheel was used it would be a working demo. As what was being talked about was 'working' during the demo. It wouldn't mean i was going to quit work to run off and work as a potter . . .

MY dogs do it for FUN too and because they and whoever happens to be on the rig/scooter enjoy it

Stillwaiting on you giving me a list of dogs that are bred for obedience and agility?

Well the image in my head was the mini ones not the standard. But i do get your point about them being a working dog. In POP culture they are just not known for that anymore unfortunatly

urrg Sorry for any spelling errors can't type today!

And if I was going to a pottery demo I would expect to be shown how to work a wheel and how to make pottery...

Just like if Phil Dixon was doing a working demo with his dogs I would expect to be shown how to use a rig, harness the dogs etc.. which is what he did..there are pictures to prove it..so what am I expected to think Phil did?? He was showing NI people how to harness dogs and how to use a rig..

Have I not said that already

NO one is talking about running off and changing jobs..I am talking about DOGS WORKING...so hardly the same thing..
My OH is hardly going to give up his job and become a full time musher!

The collie is now bred more for agility and obedience. At the high competition levels its mainly collies

Not the original reason but as the traditional sheep dog is getting more and more rare its an excellent way for a working breed to still have a purpose. Even more important with such a bright breed.

Here you go :

There isn't one! (Not that I know of anyway.) If the only dogs that should pull sleds/scooters are those purposely bred to do it, then perhaps NO dogs should do agility/obedience?

Agree it may be a little eccentric for a Toy Poodle to be used for this because although strong and well made they would be too small but reckon the Miniature Poodle could manage without any problem.

Looks like you are getting yourself rather mixed up!

ALL dogs can do agility/obedience..its an activity that is open to every dog..
and NO dog is bred to do agility or obedience..

BUT there are dogs bred to pull..

That is the difference

When i think of a working dog i think that thats the dogs main purpose in the house hold. For example my BIL has working springers, he brought them to be gundogs and thats what they do, they are not pets. Doesn't mean they are not part of the family and loved but there is a difference in the way they are treated.

To use an anology to me its the difference between running to keep fit and because you enjoy it and running in compertions or becomming pro.

DId I get the answer right............did I, did I ??

Ahhr bless look at them!! They love it . .

What was the question???

And there are many dogs who can pull - not only those that were bred to do it. Why is it a problem to allow a non-sled dog pull if it is capable and enjoys it?

Not all springer even working springer are used in the field nor are other breeds who at one time would only have been kept if able to work for their living. I own an elkhound and I do not work them as in the UK we have no elks but there are in the UK Elkhounds who are used for work of different kinds from Pat work to working with the guns picking up.

If you look at the KC groups they are nearly all working groups, hound, terrier, working, pastoral and gundog, most the utility, so only the remainder of the utility and the toy could be said to be non working and even some of them have a job as a caring companion.

To continue on the working theme, as I have said before it is more or less only in the last couple of decades that people have started to try to breed dogs other than toy breed for any reason but work even if the individule is not used for the general breed purpose . To breed for looks alone is a totally new and regrettable trend.