originally developed to be a “living fence” trotting herding dog. During World War II many of the breed evolved into military guard/protection/attack dogs which technically are Working Dogs and the breed remains divided today with many breeders preferring the Herding style and the style seen most at AKC shows, but just as many breeders prefer the Working style. I am approved to judge Working, Terrier, Toy, Non Sporting and Herding Groups. 1. Give an overview of the Working breeds. The dogs in the Working Group were developed to assist their owners in different ways, which makes the Work- ing Group vary from guardian dogs to draft/sled dogs to attack dogs to rescue dogs, with several being approved to compete in the AKC Herding Trials, etc. When I judge the dogs in this group, I always reflect on their purpose and believe they are still programed to do what their ancestors were developed to do. This makes the breeds’ descriptions in the standards more meaningful. 2. What is the current overall quality of the Group? I am very impressed with the breeders of the Working breeds and most especially the larger breeds because the quality of the Working dogs is generally quite superior at this time. During the years I’ve been involved in dogs, I’ve seen a big change in the acceptance of pure-bred dog breeders from an elite profession to an almost negative activity which makes breeding pure bred dogs problem- atic. I believe this is because of changes in our society and that instead of going behind closed doors, we have to be pro-active with our stand on protecting breeds that have an inborn purpose to help man. This societal change has made demands on the breeders, especially of large dogs, which might have resulted in losing many breeds, but instead it seems that the committed breeders have continued to persevere and have not only preserved the breeds, but have also increased the quality. 3. What changes have you seen during your tenure as guardians of these breeds? The biggest change I’ve seen is better structure in the larger dogs in the Working Group. Many of these dogs could hardly walk 30 years ago, but today are much sounder in structure. Excitingly, with this improve- ment of structure, type has not suffered to the extent of totally changing the breeds, which too often happens in the name of glamour and generic show ring soundness. Kudos to the breeders. 4. Have there been any shifts in the balance of popu- larity among breeds? The breeds that come to mind that are more popular and with quality are Mastiffs, Bullmastiffs, Newfoundlands, Great Pyrenees, Bernese Mountain Dogs and Greater the working group Q&A
Swiss Mountain Dogs. I can only conjecture that com- mitted breeders not only preserved and improved these breeds, but also promoted them through exhibition. 5. Are there any particular challenges Working Dog breeders face in our current economic/ social climate? When I first became the owner of a Working dog, that dog was allowed and in fact admired if she protected her family and their residence. There was no libelous con- cern. There were not many animal laws, breed specific laws had not been heard of and there were no insurance coverage restrictions that now are a major concern that makes breeding many working breeds more difficult. 6. What attributes make these breeds suitable as household companions despite their size and original breed purpose? Their devotion to family, especially the protection orien- tated breeds. Most Working dogs have rather laid back temperaments unless there is a reason to be on guard or need to react to a threat. 7. Anything else you’d like to share? Putting on my judge’s hat, please do not try to race the big Working dogs around the ring, yanking their heads so they hold them too high. Think about how they travel when performing their duties as the breed they are and let that determine how they should look when gaiting around in a circle, which is not what most if any would do if performing their job. My advice to anyone thinking of getting a Working dog is to research the purpose for which the breed was developed and if that fits into your lifestyle then it may be a good fit, especially if you are willing to put in the time to train this new member to fit into your family. They were generally bred to have a job, so although they may not be hyperactive by nature, they do need to fulfill that job or a replacement which may only be a walk with you to the park to play ball every few days or a weekly training/performance class to exercise their brain because these dog are extremely intelligent and perceptive to their surroundings and need to fulfill those needs. We have had guardian dogs on our ranch for 15 years, and it is a joy to watch them take care of their “family”—which is not only the sheep, but the feral cat colony, the chickens and any other living being they perceive as theirs. ERIC LIEBES Joan and I live outside of Colorado Springs with our three Samoyeds, two Komondors, a Greyhound and an Ibizan Hound. I got my first dogs, an Ibizan and a Komondor
186 • S how S ight M agazine , F ebruary 2017
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