I agree. Back in the 1970's, when the specialty entries were much larger, I had some success as an awkward young owner-handler competing against Jimmy Moses, Doug Crane, Lamar Kuhns, and Kim Knoblach in the Southeast. However, I had a drop dead gorgeous outstanding moving bitch that made up for my lack of handling expertise by the way she pulled me around the ring and showed herself to the judges. Today, I see some owner handlers who come to almost every show. They are very nice people who are good sports and believe in the dogs they are showing. Unfortunately, their dogs are not competitive. It isn't just about the handling skills if an owner-handler wants to win and finish champions. The dog has to be up to the competition. Too frequently, people don't want to hear that they need to get a better dog. They get angry and defensive when people are just trying to help them win. It has been painful for me to read all of this exchange with Sara. It is hard to need help, and it is hard to help. I have a woman coming over in an hour who is upset because no one she has contacted will agree to breed their dog to her bitch. I have a couple of bitch puppies here who I think would be nice potential foundation brood bitches. But, if I bring it up, she will probably just think I am trying to sell her a puppy rather than honestly trying to help her get started. She wants to hear that she can breed up from what she has and that I will breed one of my champions to her bitch. It really is hard to help people. And it is hard to be someone like Sara, who seems like a very nice person who wants to both do right by the breed and finish a dog herself. I wish I had the answers on either end! What would I say to her? I would say, "Get a better dog and hire a handler. If you want to win, then play to win." But, I'm sure that would come across as too harsh. Maybe UKC is the right place for her right now. Sara, if you are reading this, my heart goes out to you. I hope you will stay in the game. Although I know it is hard to swallow sometimes, you have been given some excellent advice by some of the top people in the breed. I have learned a lot from some of these same people, especially when they were telling me something I didn't want to hear! I know it is hard to feel grateful when your feelings are hurt. I have certainly had mine stomped flat a few times! You seem like a very bright young person. Step back, take a deep breath, and sort it all out. If you can, plan to attend the Judge's Seminar at the National this (or any) year. Anyone can attend. I go almost every year in order to assimilate a greater understanding of the Standard and how everything fits together. I wish you the best and hope to meet you down the road. Well, everyone, wish me luck with the woman who will be at my doorstep in a few minutes. I hope I can be gentle and tactful, and that she doesn't go away mad! I am willing to help her if she will let me! Zoa Dr. Zoa Rockenstein www.riverrockgermanshepherds.com Home of Multiple Group Winner GCH RiverRock's Hotel California (Callie) HSAs RN BN and her 13 beautiful puppies sired by Welove Du Chien's Captain America (Stevie) >________________________________ > From: dick jones <dick_jones@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> >To: "pbgs@xxxxxxxxxxxx" <pbgs@xxxxxxxxxxxx>; "InquestGSD@xxxxxxx" ><InquestGSD@xxxxxxx>; "ninemaplefarm@xxxxxx" <ninemaplefarm@xxxxxx> >Cc: "showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx" <showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> >Sent: Thursday, December 8, 2011 8:03 AM >Subject: [ SHOWGSD-L ] Re: to The List > >BINGO ! > > >________________________________ >From: Becky Little <pbgs@xxxxxxxxxxxx> >To: InquestGSD@xxxxxxx; ninemaplefarm@xxxxxx >Cc: showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx >Sent: Thursday, December 8, 2011 7:23 AM >Subject: [ SHOWGSD-L ] Re: to The List > >Ok here is how I see it on owner handling. YES you can owner handle and YES >you can win BUT you cannot expect to go out there and win if you show your >dog terrible. I have been at shows where owner handlers come out complaining >they have been beaten by handlers because of politics ect. Well from an >outsiders point of view...the owner showed their dog awefully! When the dog >is stacked ok looking kinda blah ears at half mast and heres the >biggie...you cant run fast enough to keep up with the dog to show how nicely >they move OR you dont know the speed you should be at to highlight movement >you cant expect to win when there is a handler out there doing all the right >things. Handlers are PROFESSIONALS and they work hard to put that extra >special touch on a dog. Its just like any other profession, they work hard >at it to be the best in their area. I have seen some seriously awesome owner >handlers and they are super tough to beat. They have studied hard, worked >hard, and can present a dog very professionally. Junior handlers are a prime >example. Man there are some absolutely talented kids out there. They work >hard, go to classes, practice all the time and YES win over the >professionals ALOT. BUT thats the key..you can't just go to a show and run >in a circle and expect to win. Let me also be clear before any out cry my >examples of poor handling were not about anyone in particular just examples >from over the years of observing. >Rebecca Little >Peakes Brook German Shepherds >www.peakesbrookshepherds.net >----- Original Message ----- >From: <InquestGSD@xxxxxxx> >To: <ninemaplefarm@xxxxxx> >Cc: <showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> >Sent: Wednesday, December 07, 2011 8:51 PM >Subject: [ SHOWGSD-L ] to The List > > >> 1- is not a fact, its an opinion >> 2- you can show your own dog, but professional handlers have been doing it >> a little longer and it takes time and practice to beat them. but you can >> do it. I can tell you of a bunch of owner handlers that win and win a >> lot. >> They also show a lot, and have learned the ins and outs. >> 3- I think temperament is better, but some dogs are not sound and its a >> shame that judges put them up, some win because they have lots of >> advertising >> behind them. I wonder if this is the same in all the breeds. >> >> * Ileana * >> Inquest GSD's, Home of : >> BISS 3x Sel EX AM CH & 2x Sel CAN CH Karizma's Cacique of Inquest TC, aka >> DEXTER >> Kaleef's Expensive Date (major pointed) aka JACKIE >> and the Poodle Patrol, Bunny, Huckleberry and Doc Holliday >> > > >===========================================================================POST > is Copyrighted 2011. 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. > >Each Author is responsible for the content of his/her post. This group and >its administrators are not responsible for the comments or opinions expressed >in any post. > >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@xxxxxxxxxxx > >VISIT OUR WEBSITE - http://showgsd.org ; >SUBSCRIPTION:http://showgsd.org/mail.html >NATIONAL BLOG - http://gsdnational.blogspot.com/ >============================================================================ÿÿ >===========================================================================>POST > is Copyrighted 2011. 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. > >Each Author is responsible for the content of his/her post. This group and >its administrators are not responsible for the comments or opinions expressed >in any post. > >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@xxxxxxxxxxx > >VISIT OUR WEBSITE - http://showgsd.org ; >SUBSCRIPTION:http://showgsd.org/mail.html >NATIONAL BLOG - http://gsdnational.blogspot.com/ >===========================================================================> > > ============================================================================ POST is Copyrighted 2011. 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. Each Author is responsible for the content of his/her post. This group and its administrators are not responsible for the comments or opinions expressed in any post. 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@xxxxxxxxxxx VISIT OUR WEBSITE - http://showgsd.org SUBSCRIPTION:http://showgsd.org/mail.html NATIONAL BLOG - http://gsdnational.blogspot.com/ ============================================================================