Greatest American Dog

Who constructed the puppy maze test? IMO, it was very discriminating toward only one breed; border collies.1. Only the border collies had a clue (they are natural herders and working dogs) and thus were the only ones to bring home the puppies. Which they did with joy and pride.2. The cute “little” puppies were larger than the small breeds; scary for the little contenders to have clumsy giants around them. No wonder they wanted to flee or snap at them.3. The other breeds are basically disinterested in puppies. Play with them maybe, but to look after them is not in their nature, especially the boxer.I own a border collie. She will herd ants, given a chance. Or elephants… I’m also owner of a small mix-breed pom/fox terrier who happily plays puppies of all breeds very well, but will snap at them (no harm done) to teach them manners. It’s in their respective DNA.That’s why I think the maze test was slanted unfairly. This was not about the bond between owner and dog.Never had a reason to chime in until now. Sammy

It wasn't just slanted unfairly, it was tipped all the way over on the side. Neither Andrew or Bella had a chance against those puppies.

I agree completely!!!!!!!

Oh, this had nothing to do with herding, and it wasn't the breed of the dog that mattered, it was the size and the speed (or lack thereof) that the dog worked at. Basically Leroy had a slow recall and that allowed the puppies to keep up. Seriously, you don't herd something by running in front of it, we didn't see any of the dogs do herding. It was just a totally ridiculous challenge, to think that the dogs could "lead" the puppies out. When I heard that I was thinking, what do they think, these dogs can be like "Babe" and ask the puppies to follow them out? So totally absurd. 5 minutes to acclimate a dog to puppies they have never been around?? Who the heck is the idiot coming up with these???

[b]My husband and I gree with the maze race not being fair. We raised border collies and also have small dogs, there is no way the small dog would put up with puppies bigger than them. it was unfair. I can't help but to wonder who thinks up these challanges. I am thinking someone that has run out of ideas. Shame on them. Those judge if they were the dog people they claim to be would not have allowed this. It also puts a bad light on small dogs for those who don't know them. They were wrong to put Star and his person on the mat too. They ask them to get their dogs to preform and that is what he was doing, and doing with some class. He should have been put in that spot. I hope they read these forms and take a hint that the American people will not set back and allow those in TV to do our pets wrong.

samjenssen wrote: Who constructed the puppy maze test? IMO, it was very discriminating toward only one breed; border collies.1. Only the border collies had a clue (they are natural herders and working dogs) and thus were the only ones to bring home the puppies. Which they did with joy and pride.2. The cute “little” puppies were larger than the small breeds; scary for the little contenders to have clumsy giants around them. No wonder they wanted to flee or snap at them.3. The other breeds are basically disinterested in puppies. Play with them maybe, but to look after them is not in their nature, especially the boxer.I own a border collie. She will herd ants, given a chance. Or elephants… I’m also owner of a small mix-breed pom/fox terrier who happily plays puppies of all breeds very well, but will snap at them (no harm done) to teach them manners. It’s in their respective DNA.That’s why I think the maze test was slanted unfairly. This was not about the bond between owner and dog.Never had a reason to chime in until now. Sammy

Agile...you missed the last clip with the boarder collie...she/he definatley stopped and rounded those pups up...

Dispite everything the little white dog did fine.

I totally agree; excellent try. But still failed to bring home ALL the pups. Sammy

Do you actually think that was what the judges were looking for, bringing home all the pups?

Looking at my recorded tape; the challenge was clear - bring home the puppies. You win!

MissyMic wrote: Agile...you missed the last clip with the boarder collie...she/he definatley stopped and rounded those pups up...

I will have to agree with agile, didn't see much herding there.! I really don't think the judges were just looking for "how many pups were brought home" I'll bet you its deeper than "THE MAZE EVENT" itself. They may have possibly been looking for how the task was carried out by each team.

I think a lot of the challanges they have are harder for the smaller dogs. The puppies were so much bigger than poor little Andrew how could he "lead" them if they were just toppeling all over him, what other choice did he have but to nip them into place. And I know my older dog would not tolerate 3 little puppies in his face either so I felt bad for Star. I don't think Bill did anything wrong but I know she was annoyed by the little ones.

I have 2 mini-aussies and they herd everything that's breathing. For them it's a natural instinct. I adore Leroy. He's my second fave after Star but I do agree that Leroy was not really herding them even though it should have been a natural thing for him to do. Herding is done from the rear and side. The puppies simply followed him. BUT...if you play it back you will hear someone saying these were "fresh puppies". so these puppies might have followed ANY of the dogs where the first 3 were just not "followers". That's ok...I'm just glad to be rid of that horrible what'shername. I was scared spitless for Bill and Star!If we went back through all of the various challenges I bet we'd discover that each one favored a particular dog. Over the long run it gives each of them a chance to make up for challenges that were not likely to be successful for them.

I agree. There was NO herding by any breed. And am I the only one who disagrees that Galaxy is a BC? She looks like a Pointer mix to me. I don't see BC in her at all. Big retriever ears and a square muzzle. Sorry not going for her being a BC at all!And for anyone who knows what "true" herding is the dog goes *behind* the animal being herded and around the sides to herd them to the desired place. There was NO herding going on. The dogs were clearly just looking for the owner and a way out of that maze. Puppies just followed because they saw a dog running and chased!This challenge was beyond stupid and unfair. Puppies are obnoxious and not tolerated by many adult dogs, especially 3 of them at one time!