I like American show bloodlines. Crosses anyone? - Page 10

Sounds like the seminar was interesting.  If I had known I would have stayed around for it.  I would have enjoyed hearing the different perspectives and view points. 

Jim

I hope that Waiko's owner is encouraged to show him more and to finish his AKC championship. I understand that he's a very nice dog. More AKC GSD people need to see good German dogs in their ring. Sables are not discriminated against in AKC shows.

Jim, you mentioned the entry being less than you expected at the specialty shows. I think there were almost twice as many entered there this year than last. Entries are down in all AKC shows. AKC has approved too many shows, almost 3 times as many as when I started to show in the 70's, and the economy is not helping either. The number of dogs needed for a major has dropped dramatically in all breeds.

I suppose I am used to SV style shows where the entries are usually higher.  You may be correct that the volume of shows has diluted them.  I am always skeptical when American SL folks switch to German dogs.  I remember a long time American SL breeder dumping his kennel name, getting into German dogs and getting a new kennel name.  He became an AKC judge and started showing and selling German SL dogs and puppies.  I guess becoming a judge makes all of those dysplastic AM SL dogs ok. 

I think I know who you're you're talking about.









 

You probably do, the guy is either famous or infamous depending whom you talk to. 

And if you talk to him he's a legend? Same guy? East coast?

The seminar started out with some comments about the standard. First let's put things in perspective a little. We all know there are at least three types of German Shepherds. We all know Max invented the breed as a working dog. We all know the SV is in charge of the breed. I asked a German Judge last year about the different types of German Shepherds and he had some comments about each. His closing comment was; "...The German Shepherd Dog is a dog for all peoples." The working lines are for the working people, the show dogs are for the show people, the agility dog is for the agility people, the sheep dog is for the hearding people." This is where the breed is today. It's part of what makes the German Shepherd dog so unique.

At a time where the breed as a group is facing serious problems across the board, membership in the National Organizations is down, participation is down, etc. Maybe it's time to pull together as a group to support the breed. That's somewhat of the atmosphere I sensed at this show.

Back to the seminar, Here's my interpretation of some of the points brought out in the seminar. I'm not a reporter and I wasn't taking notes. I'll go with my best recollection if that's OK.

The breed standard is basically the same between the FCI and the AKC. Many have spent hours debating the minute differences in the written difference, there's really no difference. No need to waste any more brain cells on the argument. There's really no difference in the written standard. The difference is in the interpretation. The AKC has no across the board interpretation. Each judge is given the latitude of interpretation. In the SV the interpretation is dictated. Each year there is a meeting in December to discuss the current shortcomings of the breed. The areas are identified and the judges go forward as a group to implement the direction. I found this to be quite interesting and think there could be a whole separate discussion about both concepts.

The anatomy of the dog was discussed next. There were visual aids to help illustrate the areas of anatomy. The proportions of the dogs were discussed in detail. The ratios of height to length, width to length, length of the different components of the top line, length of the neck and shoulder to the rest of the body were discussed. The physical features, how they blended together to form the dog was also discussed. The way these were assembled to critique and assess the dog was discussed. At the end of this discussion we all had a good understanding of how a dog was judged and how this judge judged a dog overall. What they looked at, how they looked at it and what they were looking for.

The seminar continued with some examples of what the the anatomy should be. Some of the physical traits the breed possessed and some areas of improvement. There were multiple AKC judges in attendance and quite a few professional handlers. The floor was opened up for both judges and handlers to comment on what they saw in the breed and where some improvements could be made. No lines are perfect. There are goals to improve each. Some of the shortcomings were discussed by both judges and handlers alike.

The political aspect of showing was touched upon. The roles of the handler, dependence upon handlers, preference for judges. This discussion was a little over my head so I really can't comment other than it was discussed openly at the seminar.

Participation and future growth was a topic. There were no youngsters at the show. There are events in Germany that bring children and youngsters into the sport. Events are created for them and there's an place where the young can compete and work their way up. There doesn't appear to be quite the same opportunity in the AKC.

Since the show we have talked about the possibility to finish our male in the AKC. We feel like the door was opened and we were given an excellent start and an opportunity to continue with him. He received a major and 4 points. It would be a waste of opportunity if we did not continue. We're making plans to continue campagining him.

Here are a couple pictures of the type of male that won.

 

Here's what the GSD people need to do to get the kids involved:

http://www.shilohshepherdsinfo.com/macEventTheKids.htm

http://www.shilohshepherdsinfo.com/2009Homecoming/2009HCtheKids.htm 

http://www.shilohshepherdsinfo.com/2008Homecoming/2008hcKids.htm 

(And yes, that IS Fred Lanting judging in the third set of photos!)
 

It's such a blast to see the wee ones handling these HUGE dogs!

Of course, the Shiloh generally has a milder temperament than the GSD, but I'm sure there are lots of GSDs out there that could be handled by kids.

I think decreasing the dependence on pro handlers would help a lot, too. Having to hire a pro puts showing out of the reach of a lot of people.

BTw, the reason Fred is cracking up in the one photo is when he asked the boy to show him the dog's teeth, the boy bared his own teeth in a toothy grin (just as he's doing in the photo where he's holding his tropy!)

I'm very happy that there will be an effort to attain Waiko's AKC championship.

AKC does have a program for junior handlers. I think the upper age limit is 18, but I'm not positive. The classes are divided by age and are open to all breeds at all breed shows, limited at specialty shows. The dog must be owned or co-owned by the parent or guardian. Many of today's AKC handlers got their start as a Junior Handler.  I think Moses was one of them.  At Westminster, the competition is by invitation only to the top juniors in the country. I believe their expenses to this show are paid for by AKC.  

Its' not unusual to see GSD's being handled by juniors. My current dog, an AKC CH, was handled to many of her points by a young female junior handler who was quite a bit smaller than my dog.