The attitude in this thread kills me. I've said how impressed I've been by some schutzhund dogs. But somehow, by also referencing the other dogs that I HAVEN'T been impressed by in the sport - it means I know nothing and I'm surrounded by the wrong group of people.
Talk about broad strokes.
Like it or not - both good and bad dogs in a sport will leave impressions. I stand by my statements that I do not feel that schutzhund is the end all of be all. That doesn't mean, nor have I said, that I dismiss the sport as a whole. It's my opinion, and no amount of name calling or dismissive comments are going to negate that.
I appreciate a great schutzhund dog that can perform in that venue AND other venues. I personally feel that the versatility proven by being able to work in high levels of schutzhund AND OTHER VENUES is the true test.
I love this breed because of its versatility. I love American Quarter Horses for the same reason. It's the level to which our dogs can reach, across those different sports, that impresses me to no end. We don't have a specialized breed here and I LOVE that. I'm sorry if for some reason that's a slam against a sport that you've chosen to love. Whereas I feel it's a compliment. If you can't accept this particular compliment, so be it.
I feel sorry for those who follow the guidelines of this category:
"Working Rottweilers Therapy, Schutzhund, Agility, Carting, Obedience, Personal Protection, Herding, Flyball, Dock Jumping, if it has to do with Working Topics, lets post it here!" and are dismissed because they choose to tote anything BUT schutzhund as the Holy Grail.
Show me a dog that can do many of these sports / tasks? I'll show you one hell of a dog!
My opinion is that VERSATILITY is the end all of be all.
That includes schutzhund. 