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Originally Posted by lblax

it would be a ashame if a rott had the drive to work through much pain just to let it sit because its hard enough to find the one that has enough drive to do the work in perfect health. for the most part the dogs you see getting worked that may have health problems are people that its just there dog and there there for fun what do you want to do not start dogs until 2 after the certs????? or do you want do get 2 years of training in and partial bite work then have them fail certs and tell the people hit the road with your dog. either way it simply doesnt work. if its any consolation to you there is a vast differance on how working and show people look at dogs show people have the opinion that conformation is everything and working breeders believe work without conformation come to an early end to the work. a good example is to look at the gsd show dog dragging there azz an inch off the floor while they very well may have all there certs they break down under the physical stress of training fast.

This is where you and I disagree big time larry...if I knew the dog was in pain, I would treat the dog's pain and find other less strenuous outlets. I think it would be a GREAT idea if all rotts over the age of 2 would just have to have the health certs done, pass or fail for now. If they want to work a failing rott, at least it's out there and people would know that the rott should not be bred. You and I both know a lot of people breed their rotts just because of "drive", with no health checks at all. Conformation is not "everything" to a lot of people, but bettering the breed is...and that involves a lot more than "drive".