Sch U S A Not getting the job Done - Page 2

Historically it has taken forever to process the litter registrations. The office staff is small - I had not heard Geli had left. the office helps at major events, and also does the entries - we had the NAs and Sieger shows recently, and the HOTs are coming up fast. USA has 200+/- clubs to WDAs 48...take a look at the events calendars and results. Memberships may be higher in proportion as so many people are dual members - as are clubs. Yes, AKC is the only "recognized" FCI registry in the US. What do you get for your 15 bucks? 1/3 of a sheet of paper with similar info as your vehicle registration. The $25 pedigree - not much on there either. So the USA/SV supplemental - $35 - at least has a nice pedigree with a ton of info including littermate names. Ironically, WDA is now copying all the programs that USA has had forever, like the SV supplemental registry, sports medals, sch3 clubs! And when AKC has their whole 5!!!! allowed working trials a year - where is WDA and where will YOU go to trial your dogs?????

Well, you might get a nice pedigree printed out, but it's useless, the "cheap" AKC one is at least recognized as a true certified document. If I want a pretty pedigree with all the working titles on it, I'll contact Yvonne Hecht and have her do one for me.

I agree with MikeRussell on this USA registry. It is an example of a duplication of service that is unnecessary and, is, in fact, one reason why money is not being spent on things which really are important to the organization as a whole. For example, there are NOT enough new members joining and there are few new helpers coming along. The organization and region takes large dues from members and clubs and does nothing for the little club or the individual. If people want "pretty" and complete paperwork, Yvonne Hecht does make nice stuff. The better thing to do is to simply know your stuff when it comes to your own dogs. AKC registration means only that. We all agree on how worthless an organization it is for the GSD in particular, but it is the registry and is the only registry recognized. Geli Clark was excellent. Some of the other staff are very nice and very helpful indeed, but there are not enough of them and they are underpaid and then we continue to pile more and more responsibilities on them. All the while, we doddle while we hope that someone has enough sense to figure out how to pay for the WUSV event. I think we have too many cooks and in the end, we might all be asked to pay much more than a small donation to fund the huge deficit that is sure to arise. The staff has been instructed and requested only to answer phone calls during certain hours so they can get their other work done. Sad state of affairs when one must begin to limit access just to get the work done. This does suggest again that things really are not going so well and that more staff is needed. But the money is not there. Make no mistake, this is not about the office staff. Kelly and others do a fine job as best they can, but it IS about leadership of the organization as a whole. And that, in my opinion, leaves a lot fo be desired.

My own experience with the USA “office” was very positive. However, I question the purpose of the USA breed registry program. Make no mistake, I'm not a fan of the AKC, but they are the current national breed registry. The AKC is not an FCI member, just recognized by the FCI. The USA should devote its resources to the things the members could actually benefit from.

I agree with everyone who says good things about Geli Clark - she was a HUGE help to me in getting things taken care of with the SV when I had paperwork issues. It is true that she left - I didn't know where to, but the last time I called and asked for her I was told that she was no longer with the organization. Re. the USCA - I feel a little robbed of my cash. I don’t even get why it exists. I've just recently learned that the USGSDCA is the "official" breed club of the AKC, with the AKC being the only registry recognized for the USA. So what good does it do to register dogs, litters, papers with the USCA - outside their requirement so as to be able to participate in their events? Things sure are a mess here in the US. We've got a National organization with no real registration requirements at all (AKC), asingle, recognized breed organization that promotes a dog that isn't even a "German" shepherd (in the eyes of the Europeans) and even has a contrary breed standard, and then we've got little orgs like the USCA and DVG that require you to "register" dogs just to compete in real working trials. What did I miss? -Calvin

Calvin, Sad to say you did not miss anything. You are exactly correct about the entire mess in the U.S.

Yep, things in the USA are a mess of different clubs trying to fight for power, and all of them having none. USCA & GSDCA-WDA really have no power (no matter what they claim), the GSDCA is the only recognized Parent Breed Club and AKC is the only one that can issue papers that are worth anything. However, DVG doesn't require any special registration. They are not a breed club, nor have they ever been. They are a sport organization and all you need to do is be a member and get a score book with them.

What is the difference between the GSDCA and the GSDCA-WDA? Thanks, -Calvin

WDA is the "Schutzhund" arm of the GSDCA. GSDCA treats them kind of like the proverbial "red headed step child." They acknowledge them when it's good for the GSDCA, ignore them the rest of the time. GSDCA is comprised mostly of show fanciers (both of the AKC and SV varieties). WDA is similar to USCA, in that they do SV style shows, SchH trials, Körungs, participate in the 'a' stamp program, etc.

For those of you not knowing where Geli Clark went, check out this months issue of the GSDCA-WDA News Letter