Other tests require off leash work. If they are that worried about liability that they diluting to a very high level what farm dogs really do, what is the point? Besides making a suburban dog owner feel special because they passed a farm dog test that is fairly basic obedience?
Reminds me of a local horse show I went to that had a “saddleseat” class where all the entries were kids on hunter ponies (with their heads down), in hunter tack, wearing hunter clothes.
[QUOTE=DrBeckett;8699488]
I think the fact that the dog has to be AKC registered stinks. I know of a couple of Golden Doodles that would be great at this.[/QUOTE]
Those dogs could certainly compete, if they were enrolled in the AKC Canine Partners program. Joining the program does require certifying that the dog is spayed/neutered.
I really can’t blame AKC for promoting their own registry and business by opening their events to dogs who are registered or enrolled in their programs.
[QUOTE=DrBeckett;8699488]
I think the fact that the dog has to be AKC registered stinks. I know of a couple of Golden Doodles that would be great at this.[/QUOTE]
They’re eligible through the canine partners/all American dog program (most likely ) though they do have to be spayed or neutered. Since AKC is largely geared towards purebred dogs, why are you surprised?
That’s a bizarre test. As has been pointed out, what farm or ranch dog works on a leash? It sounds like a test for a suburban dog who is visiting a farm and can prove he will behave. It sounds like the kind of test children should take before they are allowed to visit a boarding barn! AKC is coming up with more and more tests and I agree that a lot of them seem to be designed as money makers or for people who are letter (title) collectors. They also have a therapy dog title now, which is based on working a certain number of hours as a therapy dog. No test required.
But it I do agree that anything that gets people out and doing things with their dogs is a good thing.
Haha to the idea of requiring kids to pass this test before coming to the barn. That is so true, it’s not even funny.
[QUOTE=DrBeckett;8699488]
I think the fact that the dog has to be AKC registered stinks. I know of a couple of Golden Doodles that would be great at this.[/QUOTE]
Both of my dogs are rescues (so unknown breeding) and both are now registered with the AKC, one as All American and one with a PAL number. I do obedience with both of them.
The AKC has made it pretty easy to get your dog out and about doing things with more than one way to register them.
I didn’t say I was surprised. I said it stinks. But after learning that they can be registered in a different manner, I guess it doesn’t stink.
[QUOTE=DrBeckett;8702524]
I didn’t say I was surprised. I said it stinks. But after learning that they can be registered in a different manner, I guess it doesn’t stink.[/QUOTE]
Well, you can hardly blame a members only organization for requiring membership to participate in their events. And given that mutts of all stripes (and spots, and fluff) can be members-- what’s the harm? You need an AKC number for all AKC events. Very few are limited only to full-registration dogs, and those events make sense (i.e. AKC conformation-- what is the point of breeding if you don’t have a full papered dog and can’t create full-registry puppies?)
let me clear this up. from what I read, I thought only purebreds could enter. To which I responded “it stinks.” Turns out they don’t have to be. They just have to be registered. I get that. So now it doesn’t stink. I’m not surprised or blaming anybody, except myself for not reading it correctly.
[QUOTE=vxf111;8702545]
Very few are limited only to full-registration dogs, and those events make sense (i.e. AKC conformation-- what is the point of breeding if you don’t have a full papered dog and can’t create full-registry puppies?)[/QUOTE]
Though I am sure most people here know this I just want to mention it for those who might not - some non-conformation events do not allow All American (mutts) to enter because of the hosting club by-laws. I have encountered this several times (obedience/rally). My PAL dog can show because he has an assigned breed but the dog I registered as All American can not.
[QUOTE=trubandloki;8703237]
Though I am sure most people here know this I just want to mention it for those who might not - some non-conformation events do not allow All American (mutts) to enter because of the hosting club by-laws. I have encountered this several times (obedience/rally). My PAL dog can show because he has an assigned breed but the dog I registered as All American can not.[/QUOTE]
Cutting of their nose to spite their face re: entries, makes no sense
[QUOTE=red mares;8697090]
I think for a dog to be considered an actual “farm dog” all of that has to be done off leash.
I wonder how many AKC muckity-mucks have spent time with actual working farm dogs?[/QUOTE]
Ditto
I have a BIG Weimaraner (12); Black Lab (13); Catahoula/Standard Fox Terrier (7); Catahoula/Pit Bull (long yearling. Nobody goes to the barn on a leash.
They all have A+ barn manners where it counts ---- well ---- The Catahoula/Pit Bull isn’t quite two so he is still learning.
BUT he was two feet in front of a curled up Rat snake, (Rat not Rattler) barking his head off. When DH called him back, the dog spun on a dime and left the snake. That ought to count for something on the AKC “test” 
My big dog could pass this with flying colors, on or off leash (though I think she may think I’m strange for asking her to jump on a hay bale). Little dog, even at this early stage, could probably do it with like a day’s worth of work at the neighbor’s farm.
I think I concur that it’s a good way to encourage people to get their dogs out and about, but most really farm dogs I know learn all this off leash and occasionally with trial by fire (big dog does NOT bother cows AT ALL because of the one time she pestered a calf- playing, no malice- and mama just about trampled her. 11 years on and she won’t even come up to the fence when the friendly cows in the neighborhood come down to say good morning to me!). They also probably don’t do these things in the manner of an obedience dog would, as they tend to be free thinkers and problem solvers. Stella (big dog) would see no point in accompanying me to feed livestock. That’s a boring job, and that time is better spent sunbathing or ground hog killing. But, good on AKC for something different for people to shoot for.
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