Yes, it really does wonders for a dog's self-respect when it can do what it was bred to do.

There is a breeder of border terriers with that philosophy, in Canada. One of her stud dogs never did well in the show ring during those pup years -- the show circuit makes a big deal of young dogs -- but excelled at "earthdog" events and rallies and the active stuff. Time went on, and the breeder entered this dog at a show in the Veterans class, since his age had advanced. He beat out all the other veterans, not by being a compliant show dog, but because he had a healthy self-regard from years of happy hunting, and because he had been well-bred and kept in top shape.