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by Blitzen on 11 July 2012 - 15:07
Put it all together - increased number of shows, the ecomony, disgust with politics, the realization that they need to do something more with their dogs other than just conformation - and I think we get a more complete picture of why AKC GSD entries are down. It's not only because ASL people are seeing the light and going to German dogs. Some I know have got out of the breed and gone with entirely different AKC breeds.
by Hundmutter on 11 July 2012 - 15:07
by Rik on 11 July 2012 - 17:07
Most of those I associated with (who no longer show) stopped for a variety of reasons, both personal and economic. It has been a few years since I showed seriously, but even then, the cost of 3/4 day AKC event could easily approach $700/$1000 with handler fees and travel expenses.
by dAWgESOME on 11 July 2012 - 17:07
but I have seen waaaaaaaaaaay worse (I think we all have) - It is what it is....
More importantly I'd also like to add that ANY dog photographed from those same angles will look poor. I take a ton of photos of dogs all the time and you would be amazed at how a very nice looking dog shot from the wrong angle can look terrible. Don't get me wrong it goes the other way too, poor quality dogs can be posed to look better then they really are too.
I just don't think it entirely fair to rip this dog apart based on two bad photos
by Gustav on 11 July 2012 - 17:07
by Blitzen on 11 July 2012 - 18:07
Why isn't it relevant to this breed that entries in every AKC show in every breed are down in about the same proportion? I show another breed - in 1980 in my area we needed 12, 13 for a 3 pt major, now we need 4 and 5. GSD's needed 23, 24 if I remember right, now they need 12 and 12 or less in some areas. The number defeated for a major is computed on the number of dogs exhibited the previous quarter. When that number falls every quarter for almost every breed, it's a good indication that the entries are down for almost every breed.
Maybe some ASL people have switched to German dogs, so it's a factor, but not the only factor for declining entries. We agree that some have gone to performance events instead of or after they finish their dogs and some are just fed up with the politics. It's multifactored and is a concern for AKC for all breeds. That's why they are always conjuring up all sort of new gimmics to attract entries - Grand Champion, amateur handler classes, classes for All American Dogs, all about increasing entries in all breeds. Specialty entries are down too, but not as much as GSD entries at all breed shows and yes, there are more independent GSD specialties today than in the past. Sometime there are 2 specialties the same day.
I don't think it's correct to blame the decline in GSD entries soley on the increasing popularity of dog sports, they are generally not the same people. Most ASL breeders don't like the German dogs anymore than the German owners like the ASL dogs, so if most want to train in performance venue, they will stick with AKC and their ASL dogs.
I show in both SV and AKC venues, I go to shows and trials often and I'm not biased. I see what I see. Dramatically reduced entries in all AKC breeds. Shows that used to have entries of 1,500 or more dogs are down to less than half of their entries 5, 6 years ago. 150 miles down the road there is another show with another 500 entries. If AKC had left well enough alone and not approved that 2nd show, maybe the first show would have a larger entry? Not 1500, but maybe 1000.
by Blitzen on 11 July 2012 - 19:07
by Gustav on 11 July 2012 - 19:07
by FerrumGSDs on 11 July 2012 - 19:07
The fertility issue was a nice spin off.
Cost is another as well.
Blitzen, did they hold those shows the same weekend?
by Blitzen on 11 July 2012 - 20:07
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