The breed progresses, an interesting article - Page 3

Hi, Randy,

We both know the "outstanding specimens" being lost to the breeding pool are indeed dogs of the committee's own breedings and are one dimensional; specifically, oversized, cool looking, to often IPO insufficient, athletically diminished, gaiting monsters bred for two reasons; show wins and puppy sales.

I begrudge nobody this endeavor; only their hypocrisy under the guise of progressing the SV breed standard which is quite specific and easily enforceable.  The fraud inherent in the breed survey system to which most non involved consumers or small players in the game rely is nauseating self serving only the perpetrators.

You know as well as me that over the past 20 years the SV periodically "cracks down" on size, the proverbial midnight trials, etc....  But, when the aforementioned breeders and their income stream or breeding program are adversely affected, they again back off, re-study the "issues," and formulate yet another plan pushed in to future years for eventual enforcement.

I advocate the SV system as it was meant to be; not it's current execution.

Is what it is...

Kevin

Well written Kevin.

[applauds Kevin's post]

Talking about "outstanding specimens" in our breed for me a way oversized / overangulated dog is not "outstanding"...

The people involved in this breed are simply tired of the (non existing) attempts to get the breed back into the standard. We are talking about the same problems for decades now - as a result we don´t believe in these statements any more...

The seize statistic is a good idea, but I´m not sure breeders will care about it - countries outside of Europe still want the "big sized" dogs, and the big breeders want to make money.

Measured correctly we would see different lines in front of the shows, no longer the "marketing dogs", a lot of "big players" would need to use different bitches out of totally different lines, no more linebreeding to the well known (VA)dogs...

The only advantage I´m able to see is, that now the judges may start to measure correctly, and people who aren´t able to see the dogs in question in real life are at least able to read their correct seize now. But WILL they start to measure correctly? Time will tell...

Susie,

Yep.....

I am in Cologne right now; love to meet you some time over coffee.

Best regards,

Kevin

I think the response from Kevin's post sums up the general opinion. Where do you go from here? Keep doing what doesn't work or try something new.

I think the problems identified with the current situation along with the identification of what needs to be fixed, more than just size, is better than perpetuating the current problems. Will the program be received as the SV acknowledges it may? Seen as an extension or way to perpetuate a problem. Will it be understood and become a tool? Is it another wolf cry?

The real answer will come as the system gets developed and put into use.

My bet, they are kicking the proverbial can down the road (again).

But, I would like to be proven wrong...

K

The problem is everyone is looking for the "fix" that will be the final answer.  There is never a final answer.

Its an ongoing journey not a destination.  You keep with the breed standard, you fight to maintain it, you do course corrections as neccessary, purge titles as necessary, and should include purge judges who don't follow the rules.

If a judge loses his ability to judge for say 6 months, much easier, faster fix for the same problem.  Won't fly I know but my point is that you don't throw the baby out with the bathwater.  This new "fix" isn't and won't be because the breeders will do what they do and find the loopholes to produce the "outstanding specimens" of Kevin's post.

Kevin.

Five years down the road to start with.

BZ, the judges being the SV leaders and being the big breeders is the main problem - they won´t purge themselves, and they are elected year after year, cause peoplee either don´t care or try to get a piece of the cake by themselves.

Our system is great, it´s always the people...