There are many ways to select a breeding pair. Some breeders go to see the dogs working and in every day life. They must see the dog themselves prior to breeding. Others breed off genetics, titles, or temperament. Some go off working videos, and talking with people they trust who know the dog and lines. A lot goes into choosing a working pair, and there are many descriptive words used in the working dog world that can be confusing. This is why most breeders won’t chose a dog based solely on a description or the handlers word.
Let’s start with working titles. For working tervuren, the titles that matter are in protection sports- I prefer to see a dog titled in IGP (aka Schutzhund), Mondioring, or French Ring. The new sport of PSA is getting a lot of attention recently, but a PSA title means less to me for reasons I will get into in a different post but due mostly to a lack of consistency.
Much argument has been made about titles not changing genetics and genetics mattering more than titles and that terrible dogs can achieve titles. All this is true – although the new and emerging field of epigenetics demonstrates that working a dog may improve the working ability of his/her offspring (though arguably titling doesn’t matter if the dog is worked…).
A title means the dog can do certain things that were required to title. In IGP he can track, perform obedience, and protection to the judge’s standards. Video will show you how well (or not) the dog performed. I would not breed a dog based solely on titles. I do believe titles are a good place to start.
A title also means the owner invested quite a bit of time and effort into working this dog. Meaning, the owner should have a good idea of that dogs strengths and weaknesses in the work and how he handles stressors and his resiliency.
What about temperament? Temperament is probably rifer with code phrases and complexity than titles. Social is a big one. To me, a social dog is one who I can take anywhere, and he won’t react to people or dogs. He will be friendly if called on, or neutral if not. I don’t have to manage this dog- this is his natural default temperament. My dog Moriah, is a social dog.
Social is different from socially appropriate. A dog who is socially appropriate is generally neutral but will react if, say, a dog charges at her barking. She is friendly to people she is introduced to, but naturally reserved with those she doesn’t know. She may be a bit more “lit” and may react to strangers if not managed and trained. This is a dog who needs some management but isn’t forward aggressive and can go anywhere with basic training.
Reactive means something different to different people. A reactive dog may be social and frustrated. Or a reactive dog may be forward aggressive. Reactive could also simply mean the dog responds quickly to strange things in his environment. Reactive is a normal trait of Belgian tervurens- even social ones- as they are very alert to their surroundings. But how they express this varies greatly from observing and processing, to rushing and barking, to running away. A lot deeper digging is needed to figure out what someone means by “reactive”! Same goes for “social” and “biddable” and “workable”.
What I suggest is studying any and all videos of a dog you are interested in. Studying the pedigree and videos of dogs in that pedigree. Watching the dog work and seeing him off the field as well if at all possible (if not talk with those who would know and be honest and clear in their assessment).
After that- and assuming of course all basic health tests are completed and clear- you can only do so much. Sometimes genetics surprise you, sometimes a terrific combination is made and the litter is everything you’d ever hoped for!
Up next: Why Genetic Diversity (even in dogs) matters!
Copyright Kiersten Lippmann 2023