I think I'm one of those people with my head in the sand. I attended a wonderful all breed show this past weekend with Majors on bitches. There were the handlers there, one who let my handler borrow a longer leash, but a few newby Owner/handlers with nice dogs that did a good job too. I didn't notice any dyed dogs; as I was too busy watching them move beautifully around the big green grassy outdoor ring, certainly no dead tails. Doubling (or cheating as the AKC rep might say) was kept to a miniumum as the dogs were full of P&V enjoying the beautiful autumn day. Sunday was particularly enjoyable as the dogs were allowed to get out and go...and then did. I can't honestly who won. I know Bo Vujovich's puppy dog went BOB on Saturday and a Samurai son on Sunday. I think Martha Simonets bitch took WB on Sunday. My bitch went Reserve to her. It was a nice weekend. Cindy julie harel <july9000@xxxxxxx> wrote: I think showing shepherd is a very expensive sport now. Someone said where is the fun?? I don't think you have any fun when you pay a handler 300$ to make you dog gait two times around the ring and then get dumped!! I think that's one of the reason handlers act that way (lot of pressure maybe from the owners). They just don't want to win...they have to!! In this time, making a championship without a handler is almost impossible in the US. No wonder there is fewer and fewer entries. Newbies with a regular budget just can't get in the game. It is sad cause if they want to handle their own dog they just won't win (almost all the time) and then someone tells them well if you give your do to this or that handlers it will work. So folks..I don't think this is a game anymore..it is a Business. No place for new people..and not really fun anymore.. As for dying and drugs...well it's all part of this busines thing...I think a lot of people just don't care about the health of this breed. All that is important is winning. Some people are in this for the wrong reasons..winning ribbons at all cost so that will boost their selfesteem!! Too bad so sad for this wonderful breed. I'm all for testing if it can be done. Health registry where we can see why those dogs passes away so young and see the ones that have good health and live 13th years. I think it's time we get our heads out of the sand and start acting on those issues. From hiding those things we are not helping this breed. IMHO Julie ============================================================================ POST is Copyrighted 2008. 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 - http://showgsd.org NATIONAL BLOG - http://gsdnational.blogspot.com/ ============================================================================ Cindy www.cinosamgsd.com ============================================================================ POST is Copyrighted 2008. 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 - http://showgsd.org NATIONAL BLOG - http://gsdnational.blogspot.com/ ============================================================================