Working Dogs

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While we know that conformation is important, we put our main focus more on working qualities, then comes conformation. Form follows function, if you start with good working stock, typically they will be put together nicely. Of course, there are always exceptions to the rule. We respect the idea behind conformation, but so many times I feel like people rank that higher in their book than what a working dog comes down to, which is working qualities and traits. Why do you think that is? If you lose that, often times you cannot get it back. You have to ask yourself, what is more important to you, a dog that looks good, or a dog that can work and looks good doing it? Confidence, stability, drive, work ethic, follow through, intelligence, problem solving, ability, bite, grip, focus, tenacity, discipline, versatility, stability, and heart are just some of the things we look for in a working dog prospect. In order to compete at the top level, most these things are needed by the dog and handler alike. It is a team effort, try to be the best handler and dog team you can be. Often times when we are working our dogs, we will record video of ourselves and play it back so we can improve on our handling skills as well.

When looking for a new working dog prospect/pup, I would suggest seeking out those that compete in whatever it is you are interested in competing in. Make a list of what you want in a pup. This is going to be part of your team for several years to come, don’t settle! If you are going to put potentially 1000’s of hours into a working dog, why not spend a fraction of that into searching out working stock. Pick the brains of other competitors, find out who is actively and successfully working their dogs in that specific dog sport. You will be putting a lot of time and effort into working this dog, why not put a lot of time into finding the right pup. In my opinion, you will have better results getting something directly off working stock, than picking up a pup based on pedigree that had working stock a few generations back. Would love to hear all your thoughts on this topic. Comment below!

XDream Dogs
There is no I in TEAM

Weight, Working Dogs and Pets.

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Maintaining a healthy weight for your pets and working dogs is important. We compete with our dogs, and keep them in “conditioned” weight during competition season, typically spring through fall. We think it is also important to give them a break from that as well though, during this time you will find our dogs to be more along the lines of “pet” weight. During the winter they lounge around quite a bit more. They still work a bit during the off season, because they will start getting into trouble and “finding” their own work if we don’t keep them busy. This can be mentally or physically. Typically the work they find, is not something you want them doing. They will live longer at a healthy weight, which we can all agree, they don’t live long enough as it is! When you have a real good one, you wish they’d live as long as you do!

Keeping your dog active will keep them healthier, in turn they will live longer. Remember, most of these breeds use to be working breeds and for some reason a lot of people want to turn them into pets and frown upon their dogs natural instincts to want hunt, herd, protect, etc, that so many of us in the working dog community are trying to keep true to the breeds we love. Please respect the hard work and many years that it took to get these breeds to preform the way they are suppose to, if it weren’t for the people that were and are still so dedicated to those breeds, even the pet versions wouldn’t exist.

XDream Dogs

Illustration Credit Adrianna Welling