is this GSD a good prospect for schutzhund?

Really without actually seeing the dog being tested for drives and not knowing the pedigree there's no way anyone can suggest one way or the other, especially a dog that was a stray and probably isn't showing you her "true colors" yet.  For me personally, a Schutzhund prospect is a dog that is super confident (but not in an overly pushy way), not suspicious, safe with strangers and kids that are not threatening, activates on his/her own with aggression and fight (not just defense) when threatened, has sufficient prey drive for fast chasing and correct biting, has medium thresholds (not overloaded in prey, not neurotic, not "sharp", a dog that is safe as a home companion).  When looking for a Schutzhund prospect I look mostly at pedigree and genetics and then I test the puppy or dog in situations that will show me whether my predictions are correct and if not, am I OK with it or not.

I would not attempt a true evaluation of a dog with no equipment and no experienced decoy.  I would absolutely not attempt to test aggression, fight, defense, courage on my *own* dog, no friggin way.  You will 1) never get a true picture and 2) cause unfair conflict with the dog.

Hi Liesje!

 Long time no see. I guess just continue talking her for walks and with me in the truck, and keeping her inside as much as practical and see what happens Huh?

Kind of a loaded question.  Who is doing the agitation?  Are they doing prey movements or stimulating defense?  What happens beyond just line agitation?  I need to know how stable the dog is in the biting and fighting, can the dog take the drive/stick hits and respond with aggression and fight?  That is not something you can test by stimulating prey or pushing defense buttons with a dog on a line, especially if you're talking about working your own dogs.  Now I do train and title in Schutzhund but I am not looking for a flashy Schutzhund sport dog.  I take my dogs all over and train protection in a variety of environments with more "real life" scenarios.  My adult male just earned his SchH1 title yesterday (with "pronounced" TSB in protection phase) and next weekend he'll be back working on a suit and possibly doing muzzle work.  I'm not just looking for a dog that will bark when agitated and bit at a sleeve when presented.  I saw some really nice SchH trained dogs at the trial this weekend that start to fall apart when you put real pressure on them.  That's not something you can dabble around with at home, I would not go pushing the buttons of dogs I own.  The helper/decoy is NOT their friend.  What I am looking for in a strong, safe dog is not something that you can test with just line agitation and takes an experienced decoy pushing the right buttons.

tex123

Me again. The reason I need to know is I am getting too old to work three dogs, exorcise etc. and still take care of other life business. Plus they are eating me out of haouse and home (I don't believe in cheap dog food) I want to keep the best two dogs. Thanks Liesje

Well purely from a breed standpoint if you're interested in getting the dogs proper training and work, keep the GSD and the pit.  I've never seen a Lab *really* doing Schutzhund or any protection venue.  Sure they can bark and be a deterrent but the breed was not developed for the fighting drive and aggression.

I almost forgot...actually I did forget, Will you refreash my memory on exactly how line agitation works , how far apart to put each dog which dog to put first etc. (I have never actually used it, but seen it used to build drive/suspicion in young dogs, but that was in the early 60s

Thanks yet again, Henry

If you're working with an experienced club and decoy they will do what they will do.  We do not tie-out or work multiple dogs at once.

Fyi  I may have mis-spoke earlier with my choice of the word "schutzhund" I am not going to be engaging in the sport, to busy, too old, too broke, I just would like to find out which dog would be more likely...without a lot of training.... to protect me in my old age/

Also. Years ago I worked at a kennel that had a Schutzhund III lab. or at least thats what the boss said. But I remember thinking at the time someone must have worked overtime to get that out of a lab :-)

Henry

There are some labs with SchH titles but getting a title is not the same as possessing the traits.  Remember Schutzhund was developed to be a working test for the German Shepherd breed.  Many breeds can be trained to earn the title points-wise but I do not believe the lab breed standard calls for the same genetic traits in temperament as the German Shepherd.  There are a few small dogs like Jack Russell Terrier that have been trained to do it (can't actually title because SchH being a breed test for the GSD does not make allowances for the height of the jump and weight of the dumbbell so unfortunately a JRT would still have to clear a 1meter jump with the dumbbell just like any other dog).

A good GSD should be instinctively watchful and protective but that comes with sound genetics AND a very strong bond with the handler.  No basic test of line agitation can change, prove, or improve the dog with regard to those two aspects.  Basic watchfulness should not require any training, but again that is assuming the genetics behind the dog are solid.  The training I do is really about channeling drives, putting instinctive behaviors on cue, and maintaining control, but even the control/obedience aspect I feel has more to do with the connection between dog/handler and the mutual respect than tons of training.  People in GSDs and protection training will say that with a true German Shepherd dog the training and handling comes easy. 

Schutzhund has become too much of a sport that is all about flash and style which is why I branch into other things to get a more complete picture of the dog and proof the dog's instincts in more real life scenarios.  I still start with SchH because good SchH helpers and clubs are more readily available than the other styles of protection training, at least around here.

If you need a good watch dog with naturally protective instincts but a solid, safe temperament your best bet is to get a dog that represents those traits genetically.

tex123

I just would like to find out which dog would be more likely...without a lot of training.... to protect me in my old age/

Protect you from what???

Vampires, Werewolves and Zombies of course. Especially the Zombies, there the worst. Just kidding,

The only thing I fear is people. Criminals and Psychopaths

Thank you Liesje for your very helpful advice

Henry

You'd be better served with a good alarm system for your house and a concealed carry license and a gun, IMO.  Keep that liability insurance up to date if you plan on using an untrained dog for personal protection.