Replies

There are a LOT of search and rescue dogs which are handled by professional law enforcement, military, and emergency services personnel. Shortly after the WTC attack, the New York Times did a story on the search dogs working at the site, which were primarily professionally handled (perhaps exclusively, as real amateurs weren't being allowed access to the site). The article, which was getting its information from the professionals in question, explained why the American/AKC dogs were not used.

There's plenty of information on the Internet about the different German Shepherd breeds if you're interested. Professionals are NOT importing dogs due to "supply and demand". There is no sortage of Germna Shepherd puppies in the U.S. -- they're just the wrong kind. The German breed organizations recognize two separate lines of dogs -- show and working - and the show dogs are similar to the AKC dogs.

This page gives an extremely detailed description of the anatomical differences between the two general types of German Shepherds, and their effects (and my understanding is that the same issues surround the Belgian Malinois breed).
http://workingdogs.com/portal/html/article.php?sid=57

The New York Times is not a particularly good source of information on dogs (or anything really).

Here is a snippet from the "National Institute for Urban Search and Rescue" site section, "Who We Are"
"Success is people--dedicated, courageous, and intelligent, with passion! There is nothing like the joy and glory of hard work for a subject that is one's passion. This is the ethic of the NIUSR. It is also the basis for all volunteer efforts in the United States. Volunteerism is one of our treasured national ethics. Traditionally, whether it is the community symphony, the garden club, the Boy Scouts or the military reserve, we volunteer.

Our volunteers are what make our expectations come true. No funded "think tank" could afford the hourly billing of those who graciously dedicate their expertise, through the Institute, for the greater good of the people of our nation."
http://www.niusr.org/WhoAreWe.htm#Who

From the FEMA website
"Canine Search And Rescue Teams' Response To The 9/11 Attacks
Approximately 85 percent of FEMA US&R canine handlers are civilian volunteers. The remaining 15 percent are local fire or police department members. Nearly all canines are considered the handlers' "family dog." http://www.fema.gov/about/mediacanine.shtm

The fact that 15% are non-civilians doesn't mean that they're not volunteering their time.

The GSD critique was actually pretty interesting. Ill comment later when I have time.

"There's plenty of information on the Internet about the different German Shepherd breeds if you're interested. Professionals are NOT importing dogs due to "supply and demand". There is no sortage of Germna Shepherd puppies in the U.S. -- they're just the wrong kind."

I knew someone who did this kind of work. He needed a constant supply of young dogs that he polished into police dogs. He initially started with American dogs then switched to imported to get a consistant supply of dogs with hard temperment (American breeders tend to breed for pet temperments and in this sense some American dogs can be the "wrong kind").

A quick search of the internet will get you many hits of people who do this kind of work. It's not at all unusual for dogs to be AKC and do bomb detection, SAR, and police, etc.
For instance:
http://www.malinoishandler.com/background.htm
http://www.landheimk9.com/
http://www.k9trainers.com/south_carolina.htm

You link was interesting and I agree with her that dog C (note she also refers to "specialty shows") is not of working conformation but I would disagree with her that dog B is. The trouble with dog B is that although he may be trained for work (and therefore marketable) he will not hold up to hard work for long. Her composite show dog may actually be of two different types. Best In Show suggests that one's an all-breed show winner and Grand Victor is a specialty title. Usually in GSD's a competitor in one ring isn't competitive in the other.
None of this has anything to do with what organization the dog is registered with. Conformation shows are only one competition that the AKC runs. They do a lot of field trials, tracking trials, obedience, agility, herding etc. All dogs that compete in these other venues are also AKC registered. What characteristics breeders emphasize in their programs is not regulated by the AKC.