[Skip]

Originally Posted by jakesfostermom

Skip - I would tend to "believe" the same - but without being geneticists, isn't it hard to say as a statement that pet quality rottweilers are genetically different than working quality rottweilers? We are after all, making some educated 'guesses' when evaluating a litter of puppies - when saying this or that pup is of working quality. I was surprised at the statement simply because without scientific study of genetic makeup - I wouldn't think you could back that up....as a lay person.

Looking at two pups from the same litter - pup A is evaluated as having working potential and pup B is evaluated as being pet quality. Let's assume (wrongly, but go with me here) that the breeder allows me to purchase pup A and I simply come home and raise him as a pet. He is allowed to camp out with the family and just be a dog. You purchase pup B, with hopes of stimulating him enough to train and compete successfully in some working venues. You find the reward that motivates pup B and the two of you do okay competing in your chosen venues. At three years of age, these same two dogs are re-evaluted.......wouldn't the eval produce reverse results? Pup A would be pet quality and pup B would be working? I think this is what you are saying about training.......but I was curious about the "genetically different" statement mainly. Sounds a little to me, like saying "he's a purebred", simply because both his reported parents are standing there and appear to be rottweiler (or whatever breed).

In your scenario, they would probably be evaluated differently at 3 years due to training, but that is just because of training. It would not have changed what the POTENTIAL would have been for the dogs as puppies, since I believe that's gene related. I think the pup (if properly evaluated) that showed more working qualities as a puppy would have been a much better worker at 3 years old...given the same training opportunities,...because of the genes. I do believe that puppies that are properly evaluated (as puppies) as having more working potential ARE genetically different at some levels than puppies from the same liiter that are properly evaluated as more of a medium drive, temperment littermate. I want to say again that both could still be great pets in a home....I think some people are just taking offense to the term "pet quality". Both pups could still be that, but the stronger working drive pup (in my opinion) will take a little longer (and more training) to be as reliable as a house pet....but nothing wrong with that. The pup that was evaluated with milder drive, temperment (in my opinion) would not be able to reach the same working level as the other pup...given the same training opportunities. Different pups...SOME different genes...different potentials.