The U.S. importing drug and bomb K-9s

[andyhilt27]

Here is an interesting article on how the U.S. is importing dogs from foreign breeders.

www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2008-05-22-Securitydogs_N.htm

[Elaine]

“This Gravels My Butt”

Our DSNN member jkf used to have a saying, when something pissed her off, she’d say, “that really gravels my butt.” Not sure what the literal translation would be, but the imagery works for me. :D

So, here’s what gravels my butt this morning. I read the USA Today article that Andy posted (and thanks for the link Andy :) ) and two phrases stuck:

One, is this, why on earth doesn’t the CBP use Dobermans? :mad: Dobermans are THE perfect breed for the job.

But even more gravelling is this quote, “Lee Titus, director of CBP's Canine Enforcement Training Center in Front Royal, Va., where the dogs are trained, said 90% of the dogs come from overseas because Europe has a long history of breeding dogs with the proper temperament for security duties. U.S. breeders, he says, breed mostly "pretty" show dogs or pets.”

Where do they get morons like this to quote? :mad: This Grand Expert on what U.S. breeders breed doesn’t have a clue what we breed for. The comment is based on some Walt Disney caricature of a “show dog” ... probably a stylized Poodle with a French accent. U.S. breeders struggle with insurance company bias, mandatory spay neuter and breed specific legislation which pretty much makes communities fear any breed of dog with even a hint of drive or protectiveness. U. S. breeders are doing their frickin damndest to produce a frickin "perfect" dog, that has no health issues of any kind, lives to 20, comes trained at 8 weeks, has breed type and more... all in the hopes that some disgruntled plaintiff like Skaer (in Skaer v. Babbitt) won’t sue us because after-the-fact a dog in the pedigree dies of some disorder we have no way to screen for, and some judge is misled to believe something as idiotic, “there is some perfect dog and perfect pedigree... and that breeders OFA our dogs before EVERY breeding. (wow, now there’s a sentence for you!)

Seriously, I wonder, do all these “fabulous European breeders (who breed these dogs that are so superior to what US breeders breed) ... do any of them face the unrealistic expectations of our market and the obligations a U.S. breeder face? The mere suggestion that these imported dogs are better really gravels my butt!!! :mad:

[andyhilt27]

We live in a time where Euro imports are a fad. Although I do like some qualities of the sterotyped Euro dobes, I wouldn't consider them a better complete package. Maybe the agencies have bought into this hype. I know of an Altobello dobermann being used by the NYPD. Shortly thereafter Kimbertal began using Altobello bitches and dogs.

To me this is a matter of national security. Anything "manufactured" being employed by our government needs to be made in the U.S. Period. Our allies now may be enemies at the blink of an eye. I produce the iron for the engine blocks for the Humvees and the new MRAP. I take great pride in knowing that my employees are doing their absolute best to make a product that will not fail in the field. The foundries in Mexico and South America will not offer that kind of quality control. Also, why import these dogs and stimulate foreign economies???

I tend agree with one aspect of this article. If I were an agent looking for a K-9 I would want to see a lot of working titles in a pedigree. SchIII, IPO, ZTP/FFB prove the working ability. This doesn't mean that I am suggesting that our show dogs are not capable. They have not been proven to that degree though.

There are plently of good breeders in the U.S. breeding dogs with proven working lines. Why aren't these breeders being utilized???

[Niko]

Andy, Good post!! And the answer to your last sentence is because we (America) outsource everything! GRRR

[valkyrie1]

Actually,
I do not think that any of the Top Working Doberman Breeders would be interested in dealing with DOD with the offer they put on the table.

I have pretty good knowledge of this because a local Malinios breeder does sale to DOD.

I was unfortunately invovled in rescuing a litter that she bred which was targeted for DOD but were too old to sale once she finally got a contract dispute settled on them. (Very long annoying story)

She has had several FR titled dogs and a uncle to the puppies I rescued is a working K9 narcotics dog.

Even before we had all the puppies placed, her next litter was on the ground and sold to DOD - these puppies were out of two of the TOP 2 lines of working Malinois in the country (a Loups du Soleil dog and a Ot Vitosha bitch) DOD offered her $400 - $500 per puppy for the entire litter. They have to be shipped at 8 weeks old.

They were very clear that dogs that did not work out would become "Mine Field Dogs" I think she thought her dogs were so good it would not happen to them - not a chance I would take.

She has gotten her hands on some nice dogs and is desperate for money.

But what Top Working Doberman Kennel would be interested in a deal like that? Good working Dobermans are too hard to find to sale for that kind of a deal!

Sue L

[Elaine]

Good points Sue! It’s not that U.S. breeders don’t breed dogs suitable for the job, it’s that we (US breeders) have a different ethic about the sanctity of life than our European counterparts, who seem more focused on the sale than on the home. We private hobby breeders don’t breed litters for wholesale, we value each and every puppy we produce and I can’t think of a single breeder I know who’d be willing to sell entire litter anywhere to anyone at 8 weeks, much less to sell them to the DOD for $400-$500 per puppy.

[andyhilt27]

Excellent points!!! These of course are not in the article.