[ SHOWGSD-L ] Re: The Way We Were
- From: Bill Basu <billgsd@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: jim@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Wed, 19 Dec 2007 11:10:12 -0800 (PST)
Jim,
Thank you for the articulate and thoughtful question that you have posed.
In my opinion, there are no absolutes with regard to an answers. Are dogs out
being exhibited today that do exhibit the correct structure and gait as per the
standard and are winning consistently, absolutely.Are there dogs out their that
are "foolers" that do not have the correct structure and gait as per the
standard and are winning consistently, absolutely.
I think the biggest deteminant to finding those dogs that are correct from a
gaiting standpoint vs those that are "foolers" is the way these dogs are gaited
around the show ring.
Give me a judge who truly puts a priority on "loose" lead gaiting as an
integral part of their procedure in evaluating a dog and has the fortitude to
demand it, no matter what we handlers do, and that judge will enable the
ringside to see the difference between a dog that is structure properly and is
gaiting properly vs one that is a "fooler". Now with that being said, this
assumes that the judge is knowledeable and has high integrity.
If you can imagine a critical mass of judges that put this priority on "loose"
lead gaiting then you have a created a movement that will by the very virtue of
adherence to this procedure lead to correct dogs also be dogs that are winning.
It has a "rolling stone that will gather moss" effect. Winning dogs lead to
dogs that are bred to and so on and so on.
Without this critical mass of knowledgeable and high integrity judges who put
a priority on "loose" lead gaiting, you now are subject to "handler skill",
"Self promotion" and "bandwagon of winners" as Lamar foresaw and now the dog
that meets the standard is no longer the priority.
I was lucky that when i came up i was under the wing of "old timers" that made
this a priority in the way they evaluated the dogs and as such i had the
benefit of their teaching and experience. I am afraid that a lot of people in
the last 15 yrs that have been introduced to the breed did not have this same
advantage.
Bill
----- Original Message ----
From: James Barnhart <jim@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Wednesday, December 19, 2007 8:59:20 AM
Subject: [ SHOWGSD-L ] The Way We Were
I wish I were more articulate and less inclined to hyperbole in my
original post that started this thread (probably shouldn't have had
that second eggnog). Yes, long striding GSDs still exist. I own
one. I got my first GSD in 1962 and finished my first GSD in 1965. I
have been to a lot a dog shows including many nationals. Maybe you
have seen me with a video camera taping animals as they move. I don't
claim to be an expert on gait but I have always been interested in the
dynamics of movement. Ever since I attended an day seminar with LaMar
Kuhns in 1982 I have tried to understand the complex nature of human
behavior involved in the sport of dog showing that he called the
"Bandwagon of Winners". I remember being shocked when he said, "the
Standard is kaput!" I thought he was being cynical when he said, "The
future of the Breed is in the hands of self-promoters." He could be
wrong because after the last National I read post after post about our
Breed being in good hands and how deep the quality is now. Going
back to gait, I again refer to Mr. Kuhns who described a GSD who
looked like it could "gait on eggs without breaking one and yet move
with strength and power." Here's my humble take: I see GSDs with
good structure; I see long striding GSDs who even have a period of
suspension. I see GSDs that have smooth transmission. I see GSDs
that can move at all speeds. Something has changed in terms of the
engine that drives our dogs. I believe there is a complex series of
events that goes on at a cellular level in the bones, muscles and
ligaments and tendons of a dog when it is gaiting. Check out the
video: (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIFpKL0qRQ0) that created
quite a discussion a while back on the List. To me that rear
literally snaps with power. I just don't see it in our contemporary
dogs. Maybe it's not necessary, maybe that trait was just a fad. I
think its for the most part lost. I would like to be convinced that I
am wrong. Jim Barnhart
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============================================================================
POST is Copyrighted 2007. All material remains the property of the original
author and of GSD Communication, Inc. NO REPRODUCTIONS or FORWARDS of any kind
are permitted without prior permission of the original author AND of the
Showgsd-l Management. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
ALL PERSONS ARE ON NOTICE THAT THE FORWARDING, REPRODUCTION OR USE IN ANY
MANNER OF ANY MATERIAL WHICH APPEARS ON SHOWGSD-L WITHOUT THE EXPRESS
PERMISSION OF ALL PARTIES TO THE POST AND THE LIST MANAGEMENT IS EXPRESSLY
FORBIDDEN, AND IS A VIOLATION OF LAW. VIOLATORS OF THIS PROHIBITION WILL BE
PROSECUTED.
For assistance, please contact the List Management at admin@xxxxxxxxxxxx
VISIT OUR WEBSITE - www.showgsd.org
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