Why are GSD shows dying on their feet? - Page 5

'Spot On' Joyce. Remember the saying "If a things worth doing its worth doing well!" , Once upon a time people took the time to do something well, took time to learn and do things right, they took pride in what they did, work or play. They respected the wisdom and knowledge of those with more years experience and were grateful when they had this know how passed onto them and in turn they earned their own respect by proving they had listened and learned. The proof of the pudding etc.

Now as you quite rightly stated, this is now a crazy world. Everything is wanted yesterday, so has to be ready the day before. Therefor no time for pride in ones work, indeed doubtless many today dont even understand the meaning of the word except in the context its the thing that supposedly comes before a fall.  

Instant computer access to everything via the net, holes in the wall giving instant access to cash, microwaved instant hot food, automatic washers, cookers, etc and yes in this 'Instant, Automatic' world everyone Automatically wants Instant success. What constantly amazes me however is that with everything happening at super fast speed by all these work saving devices, how come everybody always seems to have less time to spare now than they had 50yrs ago when most of these things were still being done manually? Suppose the only answer to that might be best explained by that other old saying, "If you need something doing ask a busy person".  LOL

Regards

Sue

IN OUR CASE IT IS ALL ABOUT COST THE ENTRY FEE, THE HANDLING FEE, AND TRAVELLING COSTS NOT TO MENTION THE MONEY SPENT AT SHOWS FOOD ETC. YOU NOW HAVE TO BE SURE THAT YOUR ANIMAL IS GOING TO BE PLACED TO MAKE IT WORTH WHILE . IN THE PAST WE WERE UP AND DOWN THE COUNTRY WITH DOGS REGARDLESS WHO THE JUDGE WAS. I MAY BE VERY WRONG IN THINKING IT BUT THINGS DID NOT SEEM SO EXSPENSIVE. WE HAVE A VERY NICE YOUNG DOG AT THE MOMENT AND WILL NOW HAVE TO PICK THE SHOWS WE CAN GO TO

smc, when I go with my friend who's showing (with success) her lovely bitch, we take flasks, sandwiches, biccys etc to try to keep the costs down.  Years ago we never really bothered, we bought food & drinks at the show.

You're also right about picking your shows... it's a must today!  Used to be you'd go anyway because you'd have a good time... placed or not.  Now, if there's no place, you're sorry because you've spent so much money.

Sometimes it's hard to think of it as a hobby!

snap Missbeeb.  We also go to the shows with an arrany of drinks and munchies.  If I had to buy drinks out I would never afford the diesel home!

As well as going on about breed council and clubs we need to get our good judges out there are the "little" shows, the all breed canine society shows etc., that way the newbie can have a easier introduction to the whole scheme.  We also need to support our good judges, even if its an entry to give support and not attend, although saying that I remember reading last year Jean Hiscox's review on a show she judged where she took more dogs for the ride in the van than were in all the classes combined!

I also find that when I'm out with my girl - not shows - someone always has a comment about her, be it the oldies who remember the dogs of the 70's the Alsationists or the German side of the fraternity, and at times those comments are uninvited and can be a bit off putting, and if I feel like that with a pretty thick skin what must it be like for a newbie?

Also newbie's need ringcraft.  I cannot afford the time or money to drive 1.5hrs each way for a class and I certainly dont have the funds to send my dogs away for training.  Also my dogs have a fab life with a huge garden to wander in and lots of free running over heathland, this I've been told is why my dogs will never be top winners in the ring - they are too well stimulated and the ring is a boring place for them and they will never be driven enough.  If thats the case who wants a show dog?

Beepy, you're right of course... dogs that are not kept in kennels are often less than thrilled with the idea of gaiting in circles for ages but I think much of it is down to training... and we don't have the facilities any more do we?  It's about making it fun!

Other "breeds" don't like "us"... with some justification... but in fairness, we don't bait with treats in the ring (which causes its' own nightmare if "yours" is the next breed in) or endlessly titivate (spell?) nor do we have our squeekies IN the ring!

Lord, it SHOULD be simple... it's a hobby!

I remember (1990's--early) an all black dog that was shown, often... he was not completely "correct" but he was clearly much loved and gave his very best at every outing... most of us "seen" this and admired him regardless (it was clearly the type of home everyone would like their puppies to go to) but some slated the dog and his owner... how endearing!  We all think ours are the best, we learn that this is probably not so (to others!) but to have someone slate your dog is no different to someone slating your children, it's unreasonable, and seriously hurtful.

Be glad you don't have the funds to send your dogs away for training Beepy... I'd never send one of mine (it's not applicable anyway at the mo') no matter what!  Where's the fun in that?  My dogs would hate it... that's what counts... the Shepherd is a loyal soul, we compromise that by "sending them off" to unknowns!

I remember seeing the all black in about 1995 at Bristol.  He did get a very mixed welcome.  As for sending my dogs away - no way.  They've been into kennels if there is a reason, but no way for training.  They are happiest with me and mine, my kids would probably lynch me anyway!

Currently there is one sprawled out by the sofa and other hoarding the fire!  the others are all settled and comfy too!

However people who want the breed to do well have to embrace the newbie and the pet owner who wants a bit of fun and that wont happen all the time they get the kind of welcome I've had.  Even if I had 20 dogs, whilst I recognise the need for some kennelling they would not be only allowed out for part of the day, there would be some system for getting them out as I cant imagine having GSDs and not walking the heathland and taking them swimming in the canal.  Yes sometimes I cheat and load the car up and drive so that they get the entire time free running, but hey we are not all perfect and if I know they are going to get really muddy I like a bit of distance between us!

LOL, I took Josh to the beach last weekend (he's a crap swimmer) because he loves it... can't get him out of the water... does he smell on the way home!!!

Beepy, we may never be "KNOWN" but they all want "us" to have their puppies... that tells its' own story!

I have been following this thread with interest and wish I had the answer to why GSD shows are dying on their feet. I think it is a combination of many things Costs, time or lack of it, not enough training clubs, dishonest judges, they way in which we show our dogs making it almost impossible for people to handle their own animals successfully. I enjoy handling my  own dogs in the ring but being over forty, Not tall enough for my weight and unfit it is impossible for me to handle my own dogs in today's climate, Not so long ago when a dog from your area or training club was in the ring you gave it and its owner support and encouragement now a days you are more likely to get stabbed in the back and criticize. There is a distinct lack of respect for our elders people like Percy Elliott, Betty Young,Tina Jermay , Terry Hannan these people all have a wealth of knowledge and experience and if more people took the time to talk to them they could learn something as they have most likely forgotten more than a lot of today's exhibitors will ever know. There is just so much apathy in the show world today we know what the problems are but none of us do anything about it myself included.

Beepy

Our dogs (12 GSDs, 2 Swedish Vallhunds, 2 Longhaired Mini dachshunds and a Lurcher) also have a fab life.they are let out all together every morning and allowed the freedom of our back garden which is paved for easy cleaning.  They are taken into the farm fields every day to run together chasing rabbits birds and each other. 9 GSDs go into the kennel block at night to sleep the others sleep in the house. I would say my dogs are well stimulated and their lifestyle has never prevented them from doing well in the ring.

Linda B

Very well put Linda, i agree with every point you make, and having followed this thread like you,  it seems to me that most of the people would love to show, providing we were all singing of the same hymn sheet, that we all had an enjoyable experience, and more importantly, that the craque ( see the Irish coming out ) among exhibitors reappears, that we can wish each other good luck, and mean it, support each others dogs, as we used to.

                        Perhaps we should have an Exhibitors Conference.      ( it's only a thought, but it's a start, surely.)                        

 Regards Paul.

The following is an extract from an article on VIDEX GSD website.

“The current rotation system of GSD Breed Clubs has served a very limited purpose, mainly that of preventing some GSD breed clubs losing their CC status because of poor entries. What it therefore encourages is APATHY, because when you remove the risk of losing CC status, you remove any worry about low entries, because the rotation system protects a club from any negative consequences of their low entries. If and when the Kennel Club reduce the number of CC’s for our breed, the rotation system is simply stretched over even FEWER CC’s, thus making the periods between holding Championship Shows for each club even greater. It also means that the most successful Club Shows in terms of entries are NOT receiving their HIGH entries EVERY year, in order to allow a LOW ENTRY Club to enjoy having a LOW ENTRY Show.”

This is fundamentally true, yet our Breed Clubs, through the GSD Breed Council have completely “side-stepped” this crucial challenge, which is crucial for re-vitalising our GSD Show scene. Especially if we are going to rebuild our Show scene around a popular Breed Club Championship Show "each and every month of the year" - another fundamental requirement towards a brighter future for our GSD Show scene. We are failing to tackle "the fundamental challenges". The consequences of this apathy is all too obvious in our current show scene.

To read, download, and print the FULL article visit: http://www.videxgsd.com/allocation_of_CC.htm