German Shepherd dog

The petition

We, the undersigned members of the USA, having witnessed (either in person or by media) the Performance Test for the working class males at the 2008 Sieger show, wish to proclaim our utmost concern over the lack of enforcement of the Sieger Show Rules. It concerns us that the GSD breed will suffer due to rewarding such questionable temperament through judging that is not following the established rules.

We, the members of USA have a fundamental concern for the advancement of our sport and our breed, the German Shepherd Dog, do hereby sign this petition demanding that the Executive Board of Directors immediately and without delay, conform to the standard of correct judging of the Performance Test of the Sieger Show as stated in the Sieger Show Rules.
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/EnforcetheRules/ 

This is a chance for all to speak up.

I just watched the YouTube clips, it seems that most of these dogs are not even able to walk off leash.  Is this the main complaint, dogs not ready for the Sieger show?

I have had several discussions lately with people who have asked the same question. What rules were broken? There are rules for a sieger show, as part of the rules, it clearly states, how the performance test is to conducted, what criteria is needed to advance to the stand for exam, and then to go into the ring.  I submit the RULES, as they are currently written, as viewable on the USA website.  Now you can determine if the rules, as they are currently written are enforced.

III. PERFORMANCE AND EVALUATION TEST

All dogs of the Working Dog Classes must participate in the Sieger Show Performance Test. There will be two (2) helpers; one for the “attack on handler” and one for the "pursuit and courage test".

The dog has three (3) tries to perform the free heeling exercise to the attack on handler and must reach a predetermined distance from the blind (20 feet) to pass. The actual attack will commence when the dog is between 10 to 15 feet from the blind. The distance from the starting point of heeling to the blind will be 60 feet.

The judge will evaluate the gripwork as it is described in USA’s Schutzhund Rule Book, “The dog should counter the attack securely and energetically in stopping the attack by the helper.” A lack of self-confidence in the gripwork shall be evaluated as “sufficient” in courage.

The "out" should show the dog clearly off the sleeve and in the guarding phase. The only command permitted is one word for the out such as: out, aus, or any other single command of out. The commands of sit or down to affect the out are not permitted here. The dog, however, may sit, down or stand upon the out command, but may not bother the helper. The sit or down may be reinforced at a distance of 10 (ten) feet, if necessary as the handler approaches the dog.

The handler should, after the attack, leash their dog without physical restraint (such as, grabbing the dog to prevent re-grip). The dog may receive an extra command to out to put the leash on the dog with no penalty; however, the dog that must be physically restrained or taken off of the sleeve physically will be disqualified. Once the dog is secured on lead, this exercise is over.

On the pursuit or the long grip, the handler may encourage the dog while holding them by the collar at the basic position to initiate the release as the helper proceeds to the middle of the field to start the exercise. The handler will release the dog upon a signal from the judge. The gripwork and the out will be evaluated the same as in the attack on handler.

Evaluation of the Performance Test

1. Dogs that do not demonstrate a correct performance test cannot receive the rating of Excellent-Select (VA).
2. Dogs that continue to bump or re-grip after the "out" will be placed at the end of whatever conformation rating they would achieve.
3. Dogs that do not perform the free heeling exercise within three (3) attempts, or dogs that do not perform the "out" exercise, or dogs that receive the evaluation of “sufficient” or “insufficient” cannot continue in the competition of the show. No rating is given.



"The handler should, after the attack, leash their dog without physical restraint (such as, grabbing the dog to prevent re-grip). The dog may receive an extra command to out to put the leash on the dog with no penalty; however, the dog that must be physically restrained or taken off of the sleeve physically will be disqualified. Once the dog is secured on lead, this exercise is over."

Many dogs had problems with the out and did have to be physically restrained to get the leash on...according to the rules, they should have been DQ'ed.

Then look at all of these: 

The VA1 and VA8 dog came off the sleeve.  The VA3 dog was constantly dirty on the sleeve after the out.  The VA5 dog was very slow to out and re-bit.  The VA9 dog required 4 fuss commands to the attack out of blind and was dirty after the out.  The VA10 had slow outs.                                                                                                                                                                                

         "2.  Dogs that continue to bump or re-grip after the "out" will be placed at the end of whatever conformation rating they would achieve. "

According to this rule, the VA3, VA5 and VA9 dogs should have all been placed at the end of their respective ratings (VA8, 9, and 10).

If we are truly wanting what is best for the breed, then most of these dogs should have failed.  Am I jealous, NO.  I happen to like many of these dogs.  It's not about, liking or dis-liking the dog, owner, handler.  It's about the quality of work that these dogs are required to do in order to advance into the conformation ring for the final stand and selection.  That is why they have the working portion first.  Most of these dogs were titled to SchH3.  They should have all been able to perform the excercises correctly.  And yes, any dog can have a bad day, but most of them?  I do not think so.

The placements at a Sieger Show should mean that those dogs are the best of the best.  In this case, it was just a big joke.  Certainly not something that, as a member of the organization, I am proud of.  And frankly, even those that own these dogs who did such a poor job should also be disgusted.  First in that their dogs did so poorly in the work, and secondly, that the Judge was clearly not following the rules as they are written, and therefore, not looking out for the best interest of the GSD Breed. 

It's time to send a clear message to the Organization.... "We will not tolerate this any longer!!"

Marsha Seck

John, that is an EXCELLENT point.

Sorry to disagree with John a bit here....anyone in animal rights will object to Schutzhund period, regardless of the dog appearing weak or strong. However, when a dog is weak, I will agree that it does feed the fire as the animal rights activist, and indeed the member of the general public who does not understand Schutzhund, will assume the dogs are being abused.

The point is, nothing will change until ALL members have an equal vote in the organization. And even then it is unlikely because like most Americans, we are apathetic about not only trivial things, but important things too, in all endeavors of life.

It is impossible for many clubs to send representatives to national meetings in bum f--- egypt. As you have seen from the lack of response to this most important issue, even the show line people who talk big do not have enough guts to stand up and admit that there is an issue. Why? Because so many of them would have to speak up and realize their own dogs work is faulty.But they will BS here and some tell us how good their dogs are etc. etc. etc. and sell litter after litter.  Secondly, you also do not see many of the working line fanatics signing that petition either.  I suppose that is good because otherwise the discussion degenerates into working lines vs show lines which it is indeed not about at all. But for years I have had to listen to them bad mouth showlines and here they have an opportunity started by people with no agenda as to show vs work, and they do not have the time apparently to sign. Those who do sign, are badgered or punished if at all possible.

Finally, what you see here is apathy in the general organization as a whole. No one gives and damn and the few that do pay for it by getting knocked off in the end by the few who this organization is really for and about. And I will give you a clue, it is NOT about the small clubs, or the individual member struggling to participate. It is about a few people. And they could care less what the rest of us think, except they will talk big so we pay our dues.

Face it folks, the sport is dying. A case could be made that this organization is dying. But rather than have an honest discussion about the problems and try to find meaningful ways to address those issues, nothing is done. And it will ever be the same....

 Your intentions Dee are honorable and a bit naive in my opinion. Try all you want. But, this is not something new. The bite work at the SS has been terrible for years. People have gotten all riled up and demanded change or enforce the rules. Has that happened? No. And further, the organization seems only to follow "rules" when it benefits them to do so. 

The fact is, no one enforces it because most people WILL NOT speak out about any important issue. We could discuss a myriad of reasons for this, but the bottom line is that even IF 10% signed this petition, what do you think will come of it? Do you really think it will be different? I personally doubt it, but if it comes to pass that something good comes of it, I will be clapping as well. No rules will be changed to fit the SS as it is. And the rules will not be enforced. 

Just because change is needed, and I agree with that on a variety of fronts with this organization and the sport as a whole, does not mean that putting ones' name to a petition will bring about that change. And with a bunch of people who don't even have the guts to sign their own name, what does that tell you?

Rules are rules, but too many people were raised to believe that if you don't like them, break them and we, as a society show time and again that there are no consequences for this.

 Stonehaus,

Did it ever occur to you that by others giving their considerable experience and opinions might, in fact, finally spur someone into action? Further, don't you be naive as well. If you think you guys are the only ones who have ever brought this subject, or others of great import up, you are kidding yourselves. I will be delighted if you can effect change. I just don't want you to walk away disappointed when you cannot get more than about 10% of the membership. 10% is nothing. IF people cared, this would be a much, much larger percentage who were interested in standing up. They won't, for a variety of reasons.

People who are not going to sign are not going to do so because of something any of us said. Hopefully, they will sign and sign because they believe it is a problem. Frankly, most people do not even know what a correct protection routine is, let alone how to train for it. So when they see the video, that is why so many have written here or there to ask what is wrong? Others just don't care. And plenty of others, and we know who they are, have an ulterior motive for not speaking up. It would diminish the work that their dogs do....

 There should be no doubt as to the answer to the question would Stephanitz have signed something like this. But he would not have needed to do so. During his lifetime and after, if someone with his vision about the working ability of the dog being sacred was always guiding the breed and not just any person was allowed to do so without meeting certain HIGH standards, there would be no problem to begin with. But money corrupts and we all know that. So the interest for the breed diverged and now we are in a sorry state with all too many specimens of the breed.

 Stonehaus, what is that old saying "hope springs eternal". I hope for all our sakes you are right and I am wrong. I have just seen so much crap in the breed that nothing surprises me anymore, but yes, it does distress me. The ball has been going downhill for a long time, and for a lot of reasons. Just try doing GSD rescue for a year or so and see what that brings......

The dog showed well in various club shows and went SG3 at a UScA Siegershow.  I drove him to and fro for shows too.  I took him to Germany.  Did an A-Stamp, exhibited, trained him, started him off  in bitework.  Yes, I sure had a good one.  He does his HGH in New Jersey under an SV judge, then goes to Germany is shown and trained to SchH3, exhibited in the HGH class where he becomes Vice Sieger.  Multiple of bright lights and happiness.

I get very sick but throughout this time, I took my dog out to training every week weather and health permitting.  With great pride, my American born dog went V8 last year at NASS with one of the best protection routines at the show. 

I ask myself, where is the pride in all of this?  The best part for us to view is the protection.  This is where you get to see the true expression and beauty of the animal.  This is where the breeders should be making their decisions.

My dog is my pet, and if I can figure this out in 5 years, I don’t see why those that have so much more experience than I, had so many more dogs and progeny than I cannot

I am sorry but the paragraph got cut off:

My dog is my pet, and if I can figure this out in 5 years, I don’t see why those that have so much more experience than I, have so many more dogs and progeny than I, cannot figure out that this counts.  This is where you can really see the dog.  The way a dog bites tells you so much about the character of the dog.  This is also where you can take pride in what you take out on the field or the ring and know in your heart this is what a GSD is all about. 

Thank you Galaxy for letting me know the difference. 

Maren Friedhoff