AKC shows.......what happened? - Page 3

Rik, I am aware of this and I think most knowledgeable people understand what has happened besides the economy(cause when the economy was doing good people were still defecting from those high point numbers), but for the love of me I cannot understand the enablers who continue to support this venue. Most people have skipped out, the numbers are so small you can barely get a 3 pt major much less 5. And the dogs involved are so shunned that the first thing many newbies ask when seeking a GS is that they don't want the American type. When are the internal people that know better going to change things so that things thrive again. This accounts for much of the defensiveness that many of these people have....but they have resisted the urge to strengthen the breed image and perception by being congruent with what a GS should be and do. Getting mad at the outside world isn't the problem, the problem is in house and a few are resisting the call for change causing people like you and many, many other to exit this camp. I hope I live to see things change.

AKC entries are down in all breeds. More shows, less money to spend, lots of reasons. If people enjoy showing at AKC shows, why should that be a  problem for those who don't?

Gustav, WL people are every bit as "defensive" about their dogs as are the ALS people. We all think our dogs are the best, don't we?

Blitzen, it really doesn't bother me what people think about my dogs....and I'm being 100% honest. I personally really don't have a problem with what people like to do....but as a long time GS person, I do CARE about the breed. 

Blitzen, it really doesn't bother me what people think about my dogs....and I'm being 100% honest. I personally really don't have a problem with what people like to do....but as a long time GS person, I do CARE about the breed.  Also, my posts usually are not directed at owners og German Shepherds, certainly we all think favorably of our dogs....but many of my posts are geared towards breeders and stewards of the breed, I think they should be held to a higher standard not based on personal likes, but rather as vanguards that will protect the breed from losing its magnificent heritage. So I think we may be looking at things from different perspectives.....and that's okay.

The bottom line is people go where the money is and people run the organizations. Even at $7000 a dog, it does not seem very cost/time effective to breed, xray, and do the work necessary to get a dog to an an age/condition acceptable to LE, when a breeder can put them out the door at 8 weeks for $2-3K.

As distasteful as it may be to some, dogs are a business and a big business for those who are successful at marketing. For every person who is truly concerned with the breed, there are many times that concerned with what brings the money in. Right or wrong, the most successful rise to the top in the organizations. The breed clubs cater to the market, and the market for show, sport, pet is many times larger than the market for a true working/utility dog.

well, that's JMO,
Rik

If you  hadn't noticed,  some fo the bigger breeders of ASL dogs are incorporating german lines into thier breeding programs... There are some AKC judges who like the german type dogs and are putting them up in the ring.. The ASL bred dogs in general make great companions for many folks who don't want or don't need a dog with high energy and drives...No, fat overweight dogs aren't acceptable in any breed, esp GSDs, but if anyone is offended by the dogs you see at an AKC show then maybe you should just leave. As they say, if you don't like the TV show then change the channel!!  Competing and finishing an AKC champion isn't an easy task if you've not done it. I also think a number of people intially buy just any GSD and think they can take it in the AKC showring and win with it then get discouraged and give up... so the numbers stay down.    I personally love ALL german shepherd dogs and don't discriminate based on breeding lines or looks/temperment as long as the dog is healthy. ..wish more people were the same.

What Jetndre said....I agree 100% with the last sentence.

I personally love ALL german shepherd dogs and don't discriminate based on breeding lines or looks/temperment as long as the dog is healthy. ..wish more people were the same.

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