sieger show - Page 1

As the proud owner of a new GSD puppy, I attended the Sieger show to see what beautiful possibilities might lie in store for my new protégé. I met many wonderful people. I met individuals who had traveled long distances to enter one dog who they had put their heart and soul into for years, and I met breeders who have spent their lives trying to produce that one in a million animal who would shine on this day; some with nearly 20 dogs bearing their kennel name entered in the show. Although I could sympathize with the disappointment of some individuals, my heart went out to the breeders who must have watched with horror as the well-deserved honors bestowed on some of their dogs became less and less meaningful as dog after dog with much less character and ability received similar awards. No line is perfect. If it were, we wouldn’t need more than a couple of kennels to continue the breed. It is the hard work and dedication of these breeders who we have to thank for our wonderful companions. They spend their lives constantly trying to improve the GSD so they had the most to lose. They should be able to count on the judging in a show like the one in San Jose to help them and the rest of us make good decisions about the worthiness of our dogs. But they should also be able to experience the pride and satisfaction of a job well done, relish the prize and rejoice in their earned success. They were robbed of all those feelings. It is the outrage of these experienced and respected sportspeople that will be the most effective tool in trying to restore honesty and nobility to our sport. Hopefully, they will make their voices heard! We must look for the same courage and integrity in GSD breeders, owners and judges that we desire in our dogs.