KENNEL CLUB SUSPEND ALLOCATION OF GSD CC's for 2012 - Page 10

I think even with photos of top German Dogs it would be impossible for anyone to understand and appreciate the enormity of the German Sieger Show or the amazing depth of qualtiy of the animals exhibited there. I therefore suggest that our Breed Council or The Partnership should invite two influential Kennel Club representatives to this years Sieger Show. All expenses paid and invite open dialoge and reports after the event. I feel sure that the Kennel Club Representatives will see what we are trying to achieve in this country and will hopefully then be able to act with first hand knowledge and perspective, unlike now where there is so much confusion and personal bias.

Helen Bibby
Silkenwood German Shepherds

The other advantage that I see is, if we found afterwards there was more meaningful dialogue with the Kennel Club then great, if not then we all know where we stand! There is no point in hitting our heads against a brick wall, if there is a way forward we are holding the olive branch, if there is no way forward with the KC we can make an educated decision within our Breed to go our own way. Personally I would see a split from the KC as a last resort, however we must not be afraid to persue what we believe in for the future of our Breed within the UK. If the Kennel Club think they can blackmail us by taking away our CC's, fine, but then why would we need them? We are at liberty to persue other avenues if forced.

Helen Bibby
Silkenwood German Shepherds

Jaymesie51.    I agree the K.C. should get their priority's right and make it mandatory now.

Qabru .       Brill idea !,  be interesting to see if the K.C. would go for it.

It is simply unacceptable for the Kennel Club to have made the decision to suspend CC's for GSD in 2012, without any prior discussion whatsoever with our GSD Kennel Club licensed organisations. It is unacceptable for the Kennel Club to have behaved in this manner. This is discriminatory against the GSD breed, and is an appalling way for the Kennel Club to treat its Breed Clubs and its Breed organisations, all of which have given many many years of dedicated unpaid voluntary work for the Kennel Clubs events.

It would not surprise me in the least if some GSD Breed Club committees decide this is the last straw and wind up their club, or like many have done in recent years simply write to the Kennel Club and inform them that they no longer want their CC's.

The ailing GSD Show scene has been dealt a grossly unfair kick in the teeth by this appalling decision of the Kennel Club, at what is undoubtedly the worst time they could have chosen. This on top of other significant shortcomings by the Kennel Club, especially their persistent refusal to make satisfactory health screening tests of litters parents the fundamental basis for all KC litter registrations.

Our GSD Breed need NO lessons on health matters concerning our breed, we have been, over many decades, at the forefront of the most important health screening tests. Our record on these health matters is second to none, including the Kennel Clubs record.

It has never been advisable to hold talks with any organisation whilst they hold a "gun to  your head". For this reason alone the GSD breeds representative bodies should refuse any dialogue with the Kennel Club until they withdraw their totally unnecessary and seriously offensive letter. Surely our breed representitives realise the importance of this position, if they are to have any kind of reasonable and meaningful relationship with the KC. This is 2009, NOT the Victorian age, perhaps Clarges Street need to be made to fully understand that. Our breed can work with the Kennel Club, is does not, it cannot and it must not, ever work FOR THEM.

The best outcome is for the Kennel Club to see sense (it's never too late) and withdraw their offensive letter. Then for our breed Representatives to hold regular meetings with them in order to identify all the concerns of both parties. These can then be prioritised and dealt with in a constructive manner and with mutual respect.

There is clearly a need for several major changes from both sides, and this can be positive for our breed. The most successful outcomes are the product of  compromise. There needs to be compromise on "double handling", especially at our GSD Breed Shows. There needs to be compromise on the requirement of health screening tests for the parents of registered litters, the two tier registration system is exactly that. A system originated from GSD enthusiasts on this very site.

There needs to be compromise on the allocation of CC's for our breed, between General Championship Shows and GSD Breed Shows. The entries for GSD breed Shows, particularly over the last 12 years clearly show that despite significantly lower GSD entries in General Championship Shows, they have FIVE sets of CC's more than the GSD Breed Clubs on an annual basis. 19 to 14, there is clear justification for this to be 14 for General CH. Shows, and 19 for GSD Breed Club Shows. Such unfair outcomes from the Kennel Club are bound to cause discontent and frustration amongst the GSD fraternity.

There are many other areas were the Kennel Club should listen to our Breed Representatives and recognise the genuine frustrations that exist and which can be resolved. There are issues that the Kennel Club should empower the Breeds to deal with, simply because that is where the knowledge and expertise is. Change is required, and those changes have to be brought about in a fair and reasonable manner. No one side is blessed with a monopoly on knowledge and experience or on visions for the future benefit of our breed. Our breed Representatives are prepared and ready to address all of these issues, are the Kennel Club?

Looks like too many compromises here !.
  The reduction of show entries ,  are you relating to exsisting exhibitors  ?.   What about the vast amount of newcomers that have come and gone just as quickly ?. is it because of accumulative things such as  show fees,   the treatment and attitude towards them from top kennels at shows,   the lack of training facililties,  pro handlers that are rude to them and/or let them down when booked to handle their dogs ?,   the same dogs winning over and over again sometimes for the wrong reasons ?.
There is more to the reduction of show entries than the kennel club obstacles that needs to be taken into consideration.

cal123.   I don't believe a split is the answer , again too many complications for that to happen, On looks alone both sides have gone beyond extremities so both need drawing back in to a more recognizable German Shepherd. . The K.C. have already started on the German side with their views on the hind soundness ( only due to the bad publicity ) so now the K.C. should be looking at the weak backed Alsatian types that could no more jump a 6ft scale than fly to the moon ! not without a good possibility of injury in the process !, so they can't be fit for purpose either can they ?.