Can the UK Breed Clubs do more for the benefit of the Breed and it's Members - Page 1

In another thread regarding the decline in UK show entries it appears quite clear from the contributors that Clubs need to do more and address the matter of moving forward for the benefit of the breed and it’s members.

Will any of the existing Breed clubs be prepared to move forward by introducing a new constitution whereby the Club will incorporate all of the activities needed for the betterment of the breed rather than just the show fraternity. By this I mean is any club prepared to set out in it’s constitution it’s aims and ambitions, activities and strict rules that members will have to abide by. Who will have the courage to introduce mandatory evidence from members of hip and elbow scores, DNA testing, Tattooing and micro-chipping and any other future evidence deemed necessary for the betterment, welfare and, advancement of the breed? Who will have the courage to introduce and enforce fixed penalties on miscreant members who breach the rules to the point of, where necessary, removing the membership of those found guilty. Who will introduce a rule to make expulsion from the club for being disrespectful and vitriolic towards other members and any thing else that will bring the breed and the club into disrepute? How many committee’s will require signature from committee members to say whether a judge is acceptable, or, unacceptable for their next show?

It is surprising how much better members feel when they are all on the same song sheet knowing and practising exactly what is expected of them.

I have seen a new initiative by Sue Belfield on the welfare issue which I think is a move forward in the right direction but it will need to be mandatory within the clubs.

One last thing let us start by contributors to this theme being respectful to each other in their responses.

Now that I have lit the fuse I will be away for a week but I look forward to catching up when I return

Mackenzie

This is where this country differs from the rest because you do not have to be a member of any club to show or work your dogs so how could you enforce mandatory health checks you cant  this has to be done by the KC or the BC with the accredited scheme all that would happen is clubs would lose what members they have
jim h

I do not think that the KC and the BC will make any changes. It is up to Clubs to force the issue and demonstrate that they want to enhance their own reputation while protecting the future of the breed. It may be in the beginning that some Clubs will lose some members but it may be the sort of people that they do not want as members.

The Clubs could restrict their shows to members of Breed Clubs who are affiliated to the BC and I would think that many of the exhibitors fall into that category anyway. The main problem that exists is, and has always been so, that change has to start somewhere and someone has to have the courage to lead the way. For years the way has been led by the League and now the BC who mostly have been ineffective how ever well meaning they have been.

Over a period of time the Clubs that make changes will be the most successful and people will want to join them. The Clubs will be for the interests of every member signed up to a proper constitution. The Clubs operating for the benefit of self interest among it’s ranks will fade.

At the moment the KC, the BC and many breed clubs are content with the apathy that exists. We should not be looking for ways to leave things as they are. Look to the future and make changes for the way that things should be. A clean, responsible system built to take the breed forward for everything that it is worth. Collectively, the Clubs are the leaders. I would urge every Club member to go forward and demonstrate to the KC (by voting within their Clubs) that whatever they want to operate our Club system is better. It would be better because we would have in place systems which protect, not only our Clubs but the KC, especially in the area of welfare. The KC would still get it’s pound of flesh regarding revenue.

Please do not make change for change sake, make it for a full and meaningful future for the German Shepherd and everyone that partakes in it’s full range of activities.

Mackenzie

I have written on another thread about trying to bring the fun and sport back into the show end of our dog sport.  To do this yes you need a good committee who are prepared to work and stick their necks out by trying new ventures.  Classes for long, coats, dogs that participate in the working side, dogs that are just pets so forth and so on just for GSDs of course.  These are really good fun and even if the club running the event only gets one interested member it has been worthwhile and maybe also the show enthusiasts can learn a thing or two along the way!  If you have a good auctioneer this is another event instead of a ballot that can turn out to be very funny but the auctioneer has to have the 'gift'.  Spot prizes for exhibitors is another thing our club has tried, for instance someone at the show with a dog called  """""".    Exhiit No +++++, many other ways can be found if the people are willing.  Some may sound stupid but you can always say you tried.  Not only childrens classes but a special ring for them with bouncy castles etc., in other words make it a day out for the family.  Insurance may be a problem but with resolve it can be overcome.

Well, it would seem that everyone is happy with the way the system is and do not want a change of any sort despite the moans and groans that come forth.  If that is not the case then APATHY rules and so we can probably expect a further decline in entries and our breed as a whole. 

It would be interesting to see an up to date list of memberships listes in Club order to establish exactly how many members a club has.  This may identify just how many clubs are solely for the benefit of committee members and give an idea of activities undertaken for the benefit of the breed as a whole.

Mackenzie

Mackenzie.

   Sad as it is you are right,  APATHY is rife, i think that  the Breed Clubs need  to be totally transparent . When so many aspersions are being cast on their committee's abilitiy to remain impartial when " choosing " their Judges,  we need to take that task away from them, and let a governing body  pick them, maybe by a lottery style method, ie.  All the breed clubs go into a box, all the Judges in another, as one breed club comes out, then two names can be taken from the other, i know this sounds simplistic, but before any body gets on their high horse, it will stop the TIT for TAT method of selecting judges, and who knows, we might get rid of some of the really bad judges ( and we all know who they are )  who lack any integrity, and who by their actions alone, are slowly killing our hobby.

  The breed council already have a list of approved Judges, that can be updated, maybe add another ten or fifteen slips  titled "Foreign Judge ", if drawn out, the club nominated could ballot at their AGM to try and get a Foreign Judge that they all agree on. This little ramble is off the top of my head , but it's food for thought, surely!!!!!

  Regards Paul Rattigan.
  
 

 We will exhibit a little longer, and not expect any changes. We will simply enjoy a day out with some of our wonderful dogs. I suppose we are grateful the volunteers on committees organise the shows, and we expect no more, then disappointment doesn't occur. Our GSD breed shows are in their final death throes, we will enjoy them while we can. We are both in our sixties, struggle to train our wonderful dogs, with little or no help, unlike in Germany for similar situations, no problem, we accept our situation and our limitations. Over 30+ years we have learnt quite a lot, and retained most of it. 

It is nice to read David Payne's post and note that the breed has given him such great pleasure for many years.  I know that he is passionate and cares about the breed and, therefore, it would have been nice if he had mentioned something about giving something back to the breed that has given so much pleasure to many of us.  The German Shepherd is a working breed that can be shown and, it deserves more than it is getting at the moment regarding it's future and the purpose that it is meant for which is to be again a true working dog.   We should all give the breed back it's identity and ability to work rather than turn it into a poodle.

Mackenzie

Hi All,At the weekend i was speaking to a old friend,he told me he has been showing for a few years,but not anymore,they say they would help new comers (no) fair judging (no )there is no where to train you dog and no handlers.you go to shows ,people turn there back on you,It's not a fair game,
          Rob..