He's some info on the KCs fit for function breed watch

http://www.the-kennel-club.org.uk/se...h/Default.aspx

Basically you pick a breed and it tells you how it must be/not be to be fit for function

Dachshunds were originally badger dogs - the German for badger being "Dachs".

Could you imagine today's Dachshunds (apart from the Miniatures) going head to head with a badger, even if it were legal?

Yes, my friends standard wires, would be classed fit for function .

In America I think, they make a maze of tunnels, place a rat in a cage at the end of one of these tunnels and send terriers in, the one I saw on TV was a Westie.. the dog is to bark when it has found the rat - and when it has done so one of the boards is lifted up and the dog took out. (they look like war trenches only with wooden boards on the top)

I suppose you could do the same for other breeds and just simulate what they're naturally bred to do?

The kennel I would like my next GWP from has working Teckels and although he doesnt use them on badger, he uses them on lots of other things.
If you Google Trudvang and look in his gallery you will see pictures of his dogs. Be warned though that it's not wise to look if you dont agree with fields sports or if you are bothered by images of dead animals!

Obviously, for some breeds where their original purpose is no longer legal, it may not be possible to temperament test them, or there may be alternatives which are legal.

I have bred my Staffords so they are fit and agile not heavy headed with think lips. As I don't need or want them to fight other dogs there is no benefit to trying to maintain that temperament in my dogs.

They are fit and healthy with out exageration but for me a good temperament is bold and fearless but I don't need to Know that they could fight to the death.


Lakeland ran with the hounds and killed any foxes that got away and went to earth.

Physically I can test if they could run all day and be flexible enough to turn on themselves in confined spaces. Temperament wise they should not be quarralsome with other dogs or that could mean that the hounds would turn on it if they were that way inclinded.
I do not need to know or require that they would/could kill a fox.

Have to say though I don't believe a whole breed can be classed as fit for function, as even if it has all the physical characteristics there, it doesn't mean (where applicable) it can do the work it was bred for, and dog shows, as they are today can never truelly test a dog for being fit for function as they just can't test a dogs mental capabilities and traits.

Can you tell me how you would test for that please.

Also, can anybody help? I was told ages ago that Dashies are actually meant to be terriers, they are only classed as hounds because of mistranslation, that the hund actually means dog, but English saw it as hound? Them being badger dogs makes more sense for them to be terriers IMO, but I don't know how true it is, I've also been told that because of their chests that Dashies can get stuck down holes as they can't all reverse properly, too deep at the front, but I suppose thats more rabbit holes, although for dogs who have to be stopped going up the stairs when growing, and can damage their backs jumping off couches, there backs do seem like they would cause a problem fighting badgers, although someone from America said that they know a Dashie that has gone against Badgers, but I've been told American Badgers are smaller?

Leadstaffs where applicable you can test for it at working trails, so things like Gundogs you can, sighthounds, lure coursing, scenthounds following trails, etc, where not applicable you would be limited to testing the dogs have the fitness levels required or something.