The decline in show entries in the UK - Page 2

I think the decline in show entries is in line with the decline in interest generally with our breed, the general decline is a problem at club level, the general public have to rub shoulders with quality animals to appreciate good breeding. Quality clubs with sound advice, knowledgable breeders, creates a competitive atmosphere which naturally progresses to an interest in showing, how many breed clubs have finished or don't train anymore. A good breed club needs to service its members well, provide good facilities and most important provide sound advice and guidance to new owners, for experienced breeders a good club should provide an outlet for the quality puppies they produce either for showing or as quality companions. With regards shows themselves, I think the Kennel club has done the job here, twenty years ago our entries were going from strength to strength along with the breeds popularity, at this time the KC decided upon a policy of zero tolerance with regards to outside attraction, policing it to a point of making exhibitors life's a nightmare, to which they still persist todate. At this point I would like to express my opinion that any sensible dog with a correct character is not going to run around in circles unless it is called to some degree, a nervous dog will, as will hypoactive dogs. In my opinion our top people have for some time now ignored this issue, we need once and for all to agree or disagree on this point in order to clarify the situation and only then can we progress.

 

Dave Middleton

 Dave: You make a very valid and a very strong point. The Kennel Clubs attitude to our double handling has certainly seriously curtailed the enjoyment of showing our breed. When the enjoyment goes out of a hobby, that is clearly a time to stop.

It is nice to read Dave Middletons comments, and much validity is contained within his words, he is absolutely bang on with his comment re. the KC policing methods being a major factor in exhibitors defecting from the show scene,  ( they do wind  people up )  and whilst i agree that there should be some control  regarding double handling, it is an undeniabe fact that you need to encourage the dogs to get the best from them.  As most people know i have never been a breeder who wants 6 or 7 litters a year, i have never kept more than three bitches in over 25 years of breeding, prefering to breed once a year, or even every two years, that being said when i have been fortunate enough to breed one which i think is good enough to do me justice, i want that animal to be as fit, and as switched on to me, as  i can possibly get it, after all it's me that cleans the Shit every day, it's me who is out for upto four hours a day, biking, running,road working, and generally making sure that the animal has every chance to win, then i might pay £20 to enter the show, pay a further £50- £60 in petrol, and maybe £30 on food and drink, only to have somebody from another breed, who quite obviously has nothing better to do on that particular day, tell me that i cant do this, or i cant do that,  can you imagine a football club official telling the supporters that they cant cheer ? I agree with Dave,  this is what we should be addressing,  the fact that there is no longer any enjoyment at the shows.


  Regards Paul Rattigan.

 Is the GSD Breed Council "Fit for function"?

The honest answer to this question will hugely influence the future of our breed here in the UK.

I know this may wind some club up
And some club need winding up then maybe they will poll there fingers out and do something to improve entries like other club are doing.
So here goes.
There are some clubs we all know them, that are doing everything they can think of to improve entries to there shows
and then others that just go throught the process and expect good entries.
Perhaps we should enter shows that make the effort to improve entries and let nature take it's course on the other clubs.
Then the clubs that have the better entries would and should get the CC awards.