Every dog should have at least the barest of titles. CGN, and CD if it's worth anything. Without those two what do you have?
I disagree with that statement. Not everyone has an interest in that. And not every dog does well or is happy in that kind of environment. Just read some of Patricia McConnell's books where she just about ruined one of her dogs that became very stressed out in show settings. Plus it's expensive to show. I personally have no interest in that sort of thing. But as I said, I do respect and admire people and dogs who do achieve things that way.
I had a Doberman without the barest of titles because that is not what I'm interested in. He did have a CGC but that's not a title. It's a certificate. What did I have? How could I call him an ambassador to the breed? Let me explain. I could take that dog anywhere and could trust him around all kinds of people...in crowds or anywhere as long as people were reasonable and didn't do things like CM. He had quite a good tolerance level and I never once saw that dog become defensive against anyone. He was explicitly obedient, well mannered and lovely with friendly strangers. People could come into my yard and he never flew off the handle, just watched them... but did warn when someone tried to come in my house who was not invited in. He prevented someone from going inside my house when I was in the shower.
When we went places where there were a bunch of people, they would stop and ask me questions about him and want to pat him. He was big, black and stunnning. Many people who had preconceived negative ideas about the breed found that they were mistaken. They learned that some of the wives tales were false and they learned something about what makes dogs bite and what kind of interaction with humans is safer. Their children learned how to let a dog come to them instead of shoving their hands and face at a dog obtrusively. They not only learned that there were misconceptions about the Doberman, but about a lot of other breeds on the "hit" list as well...that it is other factors, not the breed that causes all this legislation crap. People, for the most part listened and understood. I didn't have plaques hanging on my wall. But he went out amongst public and while not as exposed as Red's dogs, he did his part. I was proud of him and what he managed to accomplish in his 4 short years.
But the main point here is that what started out as an interesting thread has turned into troll-controlled nonsense. I can't believe we're still providing reinforcement to this. You wouldn't try carrying on a conversation like this with a 2 year old, right?
