Gee, even when I know what the facts are, I get confused when I read the posts to the list...now I understand how it is that people think they're being sued, why some people thought Evan was at fault for the law suit and the charges that were filed...it's the inability of some list members to understand what is written... and then, when those people respond, everybody responds to and comments on the incorrect statements. So...let's go back. The AKC will vote in December on whether to eliminate the Novice class. The plan is to replace the Novice class with an Amateur-Owner -Handler class. The wording at the moment reads: : The Amateur-Owner-Handler class shall be for dogs that are at least six months of age that are not champions. Dogs must be handled in the class by the registered owner of the dog. This class is restricted to exhibitors who have not, at any point in time, been a professional dog handler, AKC approved conformation judge, or employed as an assistant to a professional handler. Additionally, members of the immediate family or household of a current professional handler are ineligible for this class (as defined in Chapter 11, Section 13). Professional handlers are defined as any person who belongs or has belonged to a professional handlers' organization, distributed rate cards, or otherwise advertised or represented themselves as handling dogs for pay. Whew! That means that Joan, myself, Donna or Olivia, Greg or Linda, Ed Barritt, Dave Rinke, Lynette Boyles, and the like, are ineligible to compete in this class. You will note there is no mention of being the breeder............. and this maybe where the confusion lies. The Bred-By class, according to this, will remain as it is...but professionals and their partners or live-at home children, judges, or anyone who ever WAS a handler or a judge, or anyone who ever assisted a professional handler, can NOT show dogs in the new class. If I added to anyone's confusion, I'm sorry. Peggy ============================================================================ 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 ============================================================================