Reflections on "Make up your own mind" - Page 1

in the April issue of the National Magazine page 113 there was a statement by Sharon Bowen the ring steward at the" GSD Dog Club of Wales" open show 29/3/09. The main text of the statement dealt with the fact that the judge during the open Females class asked  handlers if their charges held a Koerung . The Female heading the class was placed in second place due to the fact she hadnt aquired a Koerung the Female in second spot was promoted to 1st place as she holds a Koerung. I hear a lot of the exhibitors were not pleased with the judges procedure in this class . I was going to write to the magazine with a few thoughts on the matter but decided not to as in the past a lot of what ive written has been edited out. However after reading this months issue and noting the 2 replys by Georgie Sheffieldand Barbara Mackenzie i decided to put this on the message board .I echo all the questions posed by B.Mackenzie and i also wondered wht the Adult Males werent placed with a Koerung as criteria. Maybe theres something we dont know! The judge pointing out that in Europe he could confidently promote animals to High Honours because they held a Koerung which meant good hereditary health tests and qualifications begs the question if we used the same yard stick here what would happen to our top winning male "CH ICE" judge to handler "Koerung Qualification" handler to judge  "No Sir but he failed 2 one on size and one on courage "just a thought" Over the years i have had the privilege of filming most shows from inside the ring i know the article dealt with the question of judges asking handlers about their charges but believe me a lot of handlers offer information to the judges with out being asked. Foreinstance:This one won the Junior Class under the S.V guyor my Sieger offspring is in the next class as yet unbeaten. The owners of one exhibit came into the ring after the animal won its class and let it be known that said exhibit was on 2ccs the animal became a champion that day . At a club show a few years ago the judge asked the steward if the top winning junior was in the class at this point she had placed the class .The steward told the judge the male was in 6th place after some frantic juggling of postions the big winner hit the front and was also awarded best male.I even have the guy who preaches rules to everyone else asking the steward for the details of a certain number in the class at a club show he was judging .Not a hanging offence but still against the rules.I also hear some folk are leaving their best animals at home to give their friends a better chance of a big win in lesser company. All the prementioned antics aer part of the reason the show game is dying.So get rid of all the judges that couldnt la straight in bed and judges report any of these guys who try to pass details of their charges to you wile you are assesing their animal and get the offenders out of the ring ...........R.A.Sullivan

Surely the question should be.
The judge accepted the post  which is under KC rules.
He should thus judge  by them.
What would happen if the animal  had English Working Qualifications would it still have been down graded.?

Superdog, you are right!    Cheating and backscratching are amongst the BIG reasons our show scene is in the sorry state it is.  Are the culprits really Shepherd lovers?  They certainly do the breed no favours when they hand out honours to the "wrong" dogs!   Change will only come about if WE DO something.  Don't keep quiet... it's high time a few cages were rattled. 

 missbeeb: you wrote,
"Change will only come about if WE DO something. Don't keep quiet... it's high time a few cages were rattled"
I couldn't agree more, wouldn't it be refreshing if those who apparently lead our breed from their exalted elected positions, would come off the fence occasionally and contribute to the debates and the solutions. It appears they make strenuous efforts to place themselves apart from the serious issues affecting our breed here in the UK, in an apparent attempt to remain impartial and neutral and outside of the problems. They are leaders with NO substance, NO leadership, and certainly NO ideas. It is way beyond time for the majority within our breed to recognise that they actually contribute very little to our breeds future, in fact, by their inaction they contribute substantially to the apathy which is damaging any prospects of recovery for our breed. Pathetic leaders ensure apathy prevails.