Ok, I hate to leave when the conversation has begun!
Carolyn...That sounds AMAZING!! I would have LOVED that!! Why can't we bring
those days back? What exactly caused the change? I also know in those days
people would go from the obedience ring to the conformation ring with the same
dog. Coincidence?
Anyone that showed in those times....please share what you think caused things
to change?
Also, if we did the evaluation route as a separate GSDCA thing (not AKC) think
how much money the Club could make! Not everyone wants to show the way it is
now with expensive handlers being the mainstay. But, they still want
evaluations and critiques on their dogs. It would help the breed and help the
Club...
Sarah
On Jan 2, 2017, at 12:28 PM, Carolyn McKenna <kennadale@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:===========================================================================POST
Sarah, you just came on the ride too late. The times you are wishing for
actually abounded in the 50s, 60s, and 70s.
Everyone showed their own dogs, entries were huge (the first show I judged in
1970 There were 53 in my open dog class), and thirst for knowledge was high.
Club meeting were mini seminars; going out to the sand dunes to study
footprints, having a blindfolded judge go over a dog and then describe how
that dog would move, slow motion movies of dogs moving, etc. And fun !!! Oh,
my we had pre show dinners, post show dinners, with exhibitors and judges all
mingling, dancing, having a wonderful time. It seems that the handlers were
the only ones who went to bed at the
specialty shows; the rest of us sat up most of the night talking dogs.. No,
we can never go back. But it is the same in other breeds. Most all breed
shows are judged by the magazines. We judges who judge a group or more
receive a stack of magazines each month, at least five huge ones that are
devoted to all breed shows and specifically to he
the handlers of those dogs seeking the ratings. There are very few all breed
handlers who will take German shepherds. Thank goodness I experienced the
glory days of the GSD.
Carolyn
On Jan 2, 2017, at 8:20 AM, Sarah Minsk-Eduardo <gsdworkingline@xxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
I am a newbie so please take my perspective for what its worth. How about
eliminating the free ticket to Nationals with the Futurity and just have it
be what it was originally attending for…to showcase bloodlines and connect
with GSD lovers. I would also like to see the Futurities all Owner Handled.
I think more people would participate in the GSD show world, in general, if
the whole professional handler thing was lessened. I can’t think of one
other breed that so depends exclusively on professional handlers as does our
breed. I would venture that our breed has the least owner handled dogs of
any breed out there. I know people want to poo-poo this but it actually
matters to a lot of people and effects their decision to participate. I have
brought it up before and the old guard says “if you don’t like it than
leave”. I just feel like the GSD show crowd should, at least, TRY to make an
effort to attract new people and that is not the way.
If the Futurities were all Owner Handled it would return to the idea of
breeders showcasing their own bloodlines. We could change the gait around
the ring rule to just a gait out and back and 1 time across so that most
people could do it. I think a correct moving GSD is easy to spot and they
don’t need to do laps to showcase their good movement. Plus, it would be
great to see the dogs with their owners, less stressed, and just having fun.
They don’t have to be on a long, tight leash to showcase correct movement.
Maybe offer a TC test at the same time so people could, at least, get that
out of the way.
I believe that "fun and comrade” do not seem to exist for most people in
this breed in terms of showing conformation. Maybe the Futurities could be a
start to bring back the fun in showing! I picture people bringing items for
a pot luck or cookout; sitting together eating and talking about dogs; and
laughing hysterically as they try to show their own dogs. But, at the end of
the day…people would feel good that they enjoyed their dogs; had excellent
company with new and old friends; and felt like they were part of a greater
community. I don’t know..just a thought.
Sarah
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