Field Trials US
Vol. XIV, Week 27 Jul 7, 2025
Week 27
This week’s newsletter includes results from:
Fairbanks Retriever Club (FRC) - see full results
West Allis Training Kennel Club (WATKC) - see full results
Fairbanks Retriever Club (FRC) - see full results
West Allis Training Kennel Club (WATKC) - see full results
Milestones
All Age Points:
FC-AFC Candlewood's Tom Tom (BLM, 7.2 yo) owned by Brad Lafave, Fred Kampo, Sue Kampo has earned 51 Points
FC-AFC Whitewater Wonder Woman MH (BLF, 6.2 yo) owned by Cindie Little, Lauren Little has earned 27 Points
FC-AFC Candlewood's Tom Tom (BLM, 7.2 yo) owned by Brad Lafave, Fred Kampo, Sue Kampo has earned 51 Points
FC-AFC Whitewater Wonder Woman MH (BLF, 6.2 yo) owned by Cindie Little, Lauren Little has earned 27 Points
Cooling DOwn
This time of year, we all see lots of articles about cooling your dog down. Overheating can cause damage to organs among other things, so it's important to know how to bring your dog's temperature down.
Here's a good one from the AKC. The method? As simple as pouring water on your dog's head.
Read more here.
Show Line & Working Line Genetics
To anyone who regularly works with both show-line and working-line German Shepherds, it will come as no surprise that a 2019 study (Sarviaho R, Hakosalo O, Tiira K, et al.) analyzing over 173,000 genetic markers across 330 German Shepherd Dogs confirmed that show lines and working lines are in fact genetically distinct populations.
Working lines have been selectively bred for traits like nerve, drive, aggression, and functional performance, whereas show lines shifted their focus to appearance, conformation, and movement for the show ring. Over time, this prioritization of looks over ability has significantly reduced the working capacity and temperament of show-line dogs.
Despite these genetic and functional differences, kennel clubs still register both lines as the same breed. As a consequence, the standards and judging of the breed survey have been progressively watered down to ensure show-line dogs can continue to pass. Similarly, IGP has gradually lowered its standards at least in part to allow show-line dogs to remain competitive.
But this erosion of standards doesn’t just impact show lines. It ultimately harms working lines, too. By continually making it easier for dogs bred without true working temperament to participate, the incentive to maintain real, breed-specific working traits diminishes.
This is not intended to be an attack on show line dogs or breeders. I own a show line GSD and I love her to death. But we must speak honestly about what is happening to our breed as the traits beloved by working dog handlers are set aside in favour of traits that make for better pets or better performance in the show ring. Breeds don’t lose their identity overnight. They lose it through a cycle of lowered expectations.
