Did any Working Line dogs compete? - Page 5

Susie, you are talking about US GSD breeders most of whom have no clue how or any desire whatsoever to support one another in any endeavor 

I´m still not willing to believe that this is true ( fighting for years now... ).
You can´t blame Germany/Europe as a whole in case you are not willing to put the same effort in your dogs as the Europeans do.
When I used to handle dogs I often registered the dissatisfaction of the American dog owners about their show rating, but they were not willing to train their dogs accordingly  It´s easier to blame the judge ( " He knows the handler " - "The dog in front is a German import ") than to train the own dog.

At the head of a class there are most often several dogs deserving to win. Who will be the winner?
Most often the best trained/most experienced dog / the best dog/handler team.

But that´s no problem, as long as the Americans are willing to pay, the Germans are willing to play...

 as long as the Americans are willing to pay, the Germans are willing to play

Susie,  I can only tell you what I know, saw, and experienced. Almost all the competing kennels used german handlers that they sent over. I sat with them during the dinner. They were young German "kids". I met JH's girl....

I saw a lot of German imports....far more than American bred dogs. I can't believe I forgot all of this!!

Blitzen is right as well.......it is unfortunate that most AKC dogs are not shown by their owner. It is a powerful campaign to get top handlers, pay top advertising, etc. I want to say that judging is such that the best dog will win but I think that's bullshit. I have competed in other areas (horses) and just like gsd's politics is politics. You know it and I know it. I have never seen an owner show their own dog at a specialty show unless they were former judges themselves.

Likewise, I talked to lots of owners at the Sieger show and not one showed their own dog. Do you think it is really a conditioning/training question or a politics question? Are you telling me that if I put in the time to arrive with a fit, well trained dog who is quality I will have an absolute fair chance to take top honors without a premier kennel name, top handler, or previous showing in Germany? Im just curious!!!! If that's the case than more people should show at Sieger show...myself included!!!

Is there an Amateur Owner class at the Sieger show?

Are the Universal Sierger competitions popular? Are the dogs seen as inferior? is their top competition for this award? and..female equivelent?

These "young German kids" do train dogs every week, most of them twice or three times the week. They start handling dogs as teenagers, they already do have "the flow", and they are fast...

Honestly, politics are involved ( it´s about a lot of money in the TOP ), but it´s not about politics only, it´s about quality, engagement, training, too.
I am realist, I don´t think that a "nobody" has the chance to be the owner of the next VA1 dog, but the owner of a good dog, trained and shown well, always has the possibility to be in the 1st third of the class, no matter what.

And, please don´t forget, all the "famous" exhibitors started as newcomers, they made their way, why shouldn´t you?
It´s no easy way to go, takes a lot of time and work, but all the guys who are at the top right now, started at one point in their life with one dog.

The Americans tend to say: They walked the walk...

Forgot about the "Universal Sieger" ( males AND females ) - this competition is far away from being popular, but it´s getting better - even we have to learn and rethink...

Susie, thank you very much. I greatly appreciate your perspective!!

Can breeders on the forum now please share if they show themselves or hire and why?

Please tell me more about the Universal Sieger program. What do Germans think? That inferior dogs are winning.....I honestly want to know. Is there a credibility issue?

Does anyone know if the USCA has a program to support American breeders to encourage American breeding versus imp[orting dogs?

Thank you all for your time...particularly Susie! :-)

Sarah

http://www.schaeferhund.ch/allgemein/uploaddateien/ranglisten/Universalsieger_2014.pdf

I hope you are able to open this file, these are the results of this years WUSV Universal Sieger Competition.
I take my hat off to them...

"credability" -
traditional showline breeders are interested in show results only
traditional workingline breeders are interested in trial results only

It´s not easy.

Thank you!!! If, say, the top 10 dogs were to compete in a straight Sieger conformation show and compete in a separate straight IPO championship would they still be among top dogs at both separate venues? I'm just wondering....

Is the Universal Sieger conformation part separate or are they competing in the regular conformation show?