The decline in show entries in the UK - Page 8

Well said Nikki the league have been at the forefront of most big changes within the gsd world in the UK i remember when i first used the hip scoring it was the GSDL/BVA scheme and you got a full cert or a breeders letter for your scores so yes they have achieved a lot for this breed over the years (just a pity they dont answer emails sent to them)
jim h

Firstly, let me apologise for raising everyone’s blood pressure regarding the British Sieger Show. In my haste to catch a flight I misunderstood what I was reading. A common mistake for anyone to make.

In my earlier post I asked the question, in relation to the League, “what has it really achieved?”. I did not say that it had achieved absolutely nothing!! Nikki Farley lists in her post achievements by the League, all very commendable ideas, however, it must be remembered that the League has been around for, I am not sure exactly, 60/70 years. If that is all the League has achieved over such a long history then my comment “It’s achievements are few”, seems appropriate. Over what period of time did Nikki’s list evolve? Although Rome was not built in a day I think that the League could have and should have done better. It is only by incorporating the old British Schutzhund Branches in recent times that it has begun to address the working aspect of our breed. Also, what has it done to address the biggest market of all, the pet people who just want to train a sociable animal and, perhaps take their dog to a show, without the biting exercise incorporated in Schutzhund? Historically, not much. In 1971, when I was still a novice, I entered the League show with my first dog and we finished third. After the class the judge, a League committee member, came to me and said “I liked your dog best, but you have to do your apprenticeship first”. I cannot say how the readers would feel about this but it did me a favour. I learnt very quickly from that experience that the League was really a club for the boys. That situation has been prevalent on and off over the years. The self betterment for the few rather than the benefit for the breed as a whole. This in turn has led to disarray and bitterness within the League. Hardly anyone who reads the posts on this database cannot admit they have never seen the public rows and scathing comments about the League. The same is coming to the fore now with the Breed Council and the magazine. The League advertises for new members but can anyone tell me where it sets out it’s aims and ambitions, it’s constitution (when I was a member I never saw any such info) and even JimH makes the point it does not respond to e-mails.

I do not expect everyone to agree with me and, also, I do not expect everyone to disagree with me. I hope it brings out healthy debate within these posts. I am sure that nobody thinks the League is perfect but please do not shut your eyes to it’s imperfections because they need to be dealt with in a rational and sensible manner for the breed as a whole to benefit.

Mackenzie

Mackenzie,

I think considering the league committees past and present have made their contributions free of charge and in their own time, whatever they have achieved is commendable. In addition to the achievements listed by Nicky Farley, they have also organised very good quality shows each year. I think these comments by Mackenzie and others highlights what is wrong in dog showing today, we just can't help critisizing others contributions, instead of encouraging and being gratefull for people giving their time. For sure Mackenzie if you have all the answers and available time, why don't you stand for election i'm sure you will be welcomed with opened arms.

Dave Middleton

In reply to Dave Middleton’s response to my post I agree with him in that what has been achieved is commendable. However, over such a long period of time, is it enough? Also, I acknowledge the fact that the League has put on some very good shows.

All of my posts have been presented in a fair and reasonable way and the observations that I have made are there for all who to see. For all who have been around for a long time, including Dave, will agree that what I have said has just brought into the open what many people know. I have not singled out any particular period of time, or, any particular committee member. What I have done is open the door for a healthy debate. That is not destructive criticism.

It is also right in that the criticism levelled in some instances is, at times, unreasonably and unnecessarily vitriolic, spiteful and serves no purpose in any debate. We have only to read some of the posts on this database to confirm that point. It is that sort of criticism that is destroying the progress of the breed. All that has led to is that many reasonable people will not contribute to any debate because of this personalised behaviour which has unfortunately reared its ugly head in some Committee’s. The divisions in the breed have been created by these sort of contributors with this destructive form of criticism.

Dave is also right when he says we should be encouraging and be grateful for people giving up their time. In my post 17th June (last paragraph) I am already singing the same song as Dave.

I have bred dogs, trained them, worked them and shown them. I am not more in favour of one aspect over another. What I am strongly in favour of is, what is written in the SV annuls, we have a working breed that can be shown. Unfortunately, the tunnel vision of mainly the show side, not just in the UK but around the world, has pushed that ideology to one side.

Mackenzie

Hello Myfanwy

Thanks for your post.

Apart from what I have done with my dogs as set out in the last paragraph of my last post I have sat on committee in the past and I have judged the breed on a few occasions.  At this moment in time I am not sitting on any committee.

I have in no way made light of other peoples efforts in any of my posts.  If you read any of my other posts you will see that I have given credit where justified.  There is nothing wrong in highlighting something that could or should be better, or, put right if it is grossly wrong.   Indeed, some of your earlier contributions on this thread are in a similar vein as mine which is the Clubs need to do more.

Mackenzie