"Handler Dependent Dogs"...?

I've seen this phrase in some posts by SMOKEY BEAR and just wondering if either SB or anyone else would kindly add bit more info ?

Which breeds are Handler Dependent? I'm thinking GSD???

Just really interested in which breeds are Handler Dependent - and which breeds are definitely not!

Cheers

Most of the HPR breeds and hounds are not.

Most of the pastoral and working dogs are.

LOL---I was just going to say springers are not!

rune

I've got some wrong 'uns then cos my HPR is very handler dependent and my BC is very handler independent!

I think I may be in for a shock with my next HPR...

I guess looking at what the breeds are bred to do
Ones who have to work on their own without too much guidance from their handler - like terriers are less likely to be
Ones who work strongly with their handler like the pastoral dogs are more likely to be

People tend to think terriers are very independant but Parker always checks in on me regularly when out on walks and never goes too far away. He watches me out on walks, we often mess about and try and hide up from him but he always knows exactly where we are! I tell him he could humour us and pretend not to know just the once!

I took it for granted and it was only when an envious JRT owner spoke to me about it that I realised how good he was. I really don't think he is a typical Kerry Blue though. My husband often jokes we need to send his DNA away to be tested as to what breeds he is made of!

My Molly is the same as Parker.

What are we defining as "handler dependent"? Surely it depends on the individual?

I like to think that the bond I have with my BC is as good as it gets, but he still follows commands from my husband when I'm not around. I don't think I would want him to be dependant on me.

My old rescue BCxlab is far more dependant on me, even after 10 years.

Of COURSE it depends on the "individual" but the reasons breed standards exist is to define the main characteristics of them and thus their outlook on life.

For example the Weimaraner standard says "Hunting ability of paramount importance" this shoudl give someone a bit of a clue about what they like doing best.

There are "atypical" individuals in ALL breeds but for those which are bred to fulfil a specific WORK purpose, they are either culled (foxhounds) or split (like GSD, Labs, Spaniels etc) into show v work lines.

In the old days if a dog did not fulfil its function it was removed from the gene pool, one way or another.

Nowadays where other qualities are deemed more important (by some) this is not necessarily so and of course many people do not want nor could cope with a work bred specimen of their breed of choice (assuming it had a work related purpose of course).