I know it is difficult to get started in this game. At least part of the
problem is not knowing how to do so. We were fortunate, maybe even luck, to
have come into contact with a crusty old lady who told us:
1. Do not go out a buy a dog and start showing.
2. Everyone has a show quality dog to sell, or so they say. ‘Look it has a
champion back there three generations back.’
3. Read the standard until you can practically recite it from memory.
4. Go to a ton of dog shows with the standard in your hand and watch what is
presented and what wins.
5. Find someone who is consistently winning and get acquainted.
6. Bug them until they will let you get a puppy from them.
7. Watch Cappy & Gloria’s video on selecting a puppy.
8. Do not select your own puppy first time. Let the winning breeder select
one for you.
9. Prepare to lose more than you win.
10. Stay with it and enjoy your dog.
11. Do not buy into the losers excuses. If you do, you will not
last.
Now I mean she was brutal and caustic and for the life of me, I thought she was
trying to talk us out of it. But, she was a winner so we listened. You know
what? She was right on!
Life is filled with barriers, problems and excuses. So are dog shows. He who
wins, leaps over barriers, moves through problems and refuses excuses. Now I
get to be the crusty old caustic guy.
If I were starting again, I would find some way to become friends with Carolyn
or Jane or another of the many who have proved their value to the breed. And I
would not buy a dog for a while, until they thought I was ready. Mentoring is
always best.
Hope this helps those getting started. Now, how to help those who have been
doing it forever? I have no clue! <grin>
Dave
From: showgsd-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:showgsd-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On
Behalf Of Jane E Kerner
Sent: Tuesday, May 5, 2015 6:46 AM
To: The List
Cc: Carolyn Martello
Subject: [ SHOWGSD-L ] Die Grossmutter....
... was scolding me. I had just returned from a German Shepherd Dog Specialty
show.
“Grossmutter...” I whined, years and years ago.
“Grossmustter, I am ruined !!
“My beloved hund Panzer was second in the Open Dog class....I think the judge
buried him...right now I think I believe that this sport of pure bred dogs is
all about knowing the judge and judge friends “putting up” other judge friends,
and.....”
Die Grossmutter shrieked at me.
“Himmel, Jane. See how French Fronted your beloved Panzer is !!!
“If that dog were furniture he would be “French Provincial” and he “crabs”
going away because his shoulder is straight. His shoulder blades go in a line
from the base of his ears to the ground. Und his croup is awful.”
“But Grossmutter,” I cried. “I spent lots of money and I love Panzer, and
mostly, I wanted to win at least a blue ribbon, and Panzer is a fabulous German
Shepherd Dog.”
“Fabulous ??!!”, she shouted. Then Die Grossmutter asked, “Where is the
word “fabulous” in the Standard ?”
“Well then, what shall I do, Grossmutter,” I asked ?
She said, “If you think judges are only awarding friends’ dogs, buy a bowling
ball and go to the bowling alley on Friday night after Fish Fry at the Lutheran
church with others who love Fish Fry and love to bowl instead of breeding and
exhibiting German Shepherd Dogs. It’s cheaper.....”
“Or, ” she said, frowning, “You could try reading the Standard and breed a
better German Shepherd hund than Panzer.”
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