The Shepherds/Tervurens tend to be "one man dogs". For a new handler, he'd probably have to be retrained at considerable expense. At a minimum, he'd have to be familiarized with a new handler. The dogs also have a relatively short working life. Considering the potential investment in retraining (which may or may not "take") and his remaining working life, it may make more sense to train a new dog with the new handler rather than attempting to retrain an older dog with a shorter working life.
Also, if you don't become 'emotionally attached' to your dog, he won't work for you worth a darn. It's like having a good dancing partner - dog knows what you're thinking before you know it yourself, and vice versa. You get emotionally involved as part of the job.
I have a very generous and outgoing Lab who (unlike the schuetzen type dogs) will happily work for ANYbody, whether running agility courses or picking up ducks (especially if there's a treat in the guest of honor's pocket). But the difference between her working with somebody else and working for me is quite noticeable - we're a team.
This is much more true for a military working dog in a life or death situation.
There's also the question of support for the troops on the morale/emotional side . . . like a hot Thanksgiving dinner if at all possible . . . the folks on the sharp end are heartened by the idea that they will not be left behind and that every effort will be made to look after their welfare, especially if they get hurt.
Hair, you have more experience with the schuetzen dogs, could you weigh in?
Here's a website excerpt from the Military Working Dog school at Lackland AFB.
Most (not all) military working dogs serve long, useful careers. If they are no longer needed by one installation, they are now moved to another.
There is no limit to the number of times a MWD can change bases or handlers! In this way, most dogs can serve a long useful life!
There was a time, that once a dog was accepted for military duty and trained, it would not be returned to a civilian environment...but that changed on November 9, 2000, when President Clinton signed Congressional Bill HR-5314 into law.
Congressional Bill HR-5314 allows the option of retired military working dogs being adopted, by their former handlers, or any individual, who has comparable experience or by law enforce- ment agencies.
With the new law, the U.S. Department of Defense can change its policy forbidding the adoption of these dogs due to the possible danger they pose to the public. The law resolves this concern with its "Hold Harmless Agreement," which releases the United States from any liability for a retired military dog's actions once the dog is transferred to a new guardian.
To be eligible, the dog's current Base Commander and Vet would have to approve the dogs suitability for adoption.
Those dogs who are unable to perform active duty, and are not eligible for adoption, would still be sent back to the Lackland 341st Dog Training School, and use in the training of new dog handlers; or for MWD demonstrations.
While the law allows for the adoption of the dogs as an option, it is still not a requirement for the DOD. However, the DOD will be responsible for keeping an annual, detailed record of each dog that is adopted or euthanized, including case by case information about why a dog was either adopted or selected to be euthanized.
For what it's worth, regarding adult, titled Schutzhund dogs:
http://www.kraftwerkk9.com/dogs_available.php
There are 6 titled adult shepherds offered for sale on this website, with the quote, "Trained dogs have a significantly higher value than puppies. They are a wonderful asset to people who are not able to put in the time necessary to train a dog or raise a puppy. Hundreds of training hours are needed before a dog can pass the stringent requirements of a training degree. Prices for dogs offered on this page begin at $7000."
"There's also the question of support for the troops on the morale/emotional side . . . like a hot Thanksgiving dinner if at all possible . . . the folks on the sharp end are heartened by the idea that they will not be left behind and that every effort will be made to look after their welfare, especially if they get hurt."
And pulling an IED detecting dog from the combat zone accomplishes this how?
It's Schutzhund... ;~D
I was tryin' not to get into this one, I try to not fight ugly ideas until I've had more coffee :~D
The truth is, the dog could work for someone else... Those dogs are professionally trained and then handed off to handlers when they're ready. The dog would indeed adapt and bond, and continue to work with another handler, as would yours if she found her destiny suddenly at the hands of another. They bond strongly, it's true, but will bond again without reservation.
But I don't think that's the point. The point is the morale boost for this soldier. The point is that war is not, and has never been unemotional. It is emotion that brings us to tears at the sight of our fallen and injured. For those that sacrifice much, we have always fallen short in repaying. This time, repaying her, at least in part, for her sacrifice is easy. So we do it.