Since I've gotten many private e-mails on this subject....and saw this one
from Ann and the additional
one from Celeste I think I will attempt to clarify MY comments.
Please........NO ONE needs to DEFEND nor explain long coats to me! <G>
I see really good ones and we even owned one for a while. I am not calling for
the elimination of them
in the breed!!! <G> Although that would be fine with me too, along with
every other fault we all deal
with. <G> I do not see them as competitive in the show ring according to
the purposes of our Breed
Standard. The level of quality is still high enough IMO....ESPECIALLY in
bitches and I cannot see any
necessity to put up an obvious fault like a coat.
The one we kept taught us a lot about why we do not want to live with a coated
GSD. They are not
utilitarian for ANY purpose that I know of. I do consider the German Shepherd
Dog a very utilitarian
Breed. I do believe that is what Mr. Max had in mind when he developed this
Breed. A GSD dog is
meant to be an easy keeper for herding, working and Police or Military service
and family companion
dogs. Showing is a sport that should be based on that very premise.
NO one loves great movement and front extension one iota more than I do...but
the Breed is SO MUCH
MORE. Using a long coat German Shepherd Dog as a Search and Rescue dog,
avalanche dog, tracking
dog, Guide dog, herding dog is adding a burden to the trainer/ owner for
upkeep. Most will refuse to use
one.
( I've never known anyone looking for a good dog for Search & Rescue, Guide Dog
or any type of real working
dog to pick to out a long coat for any working purpose because it had more
front reach than a correct coat! )
A GSD Show dog should receive NO LESS consideration! .
Yes, there are many less than desirable characteristics or faults that can be
corrected in breeding.....BUT..
those dogs can also still be utilized as amazing working dogs in the
field....with no LEFTOVER LABOR for
their owners at the end of the day. That is not the case with a long coat.
BUT....If you've ever taken your 'coat' to the snow, through rain or mud, in a
field herding with brush and rugged
terrain and dealt with ice balls, mud balls, and stickers in bad places, and
all the grooming involved and you
actually care about the utilitarian uses for this Breed you will not promote a
coat. We personally place them
at half price while they are young and cute and fuzzy and place them in homes
with lawns and cement patios.<G>
We keep ONE bitch for breeding.....occasionally two. Same with males. We
can't bother with a coated GSD
simply because we do not have the luxury of many bitches to choose to breed.
We just do not have the inclination for the time needed for the constant
maintenance of a coated GSD.
Same with showing them. I prefer they go to great pet homes. I see so many
awesome bitches INCLUDING
having great correct coats that I do not see any purpose in keeping a coat to
show or breed. Our choice.
We simply sell the coats and move on. Seems simple to me.
Carolyn marhaven@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
www.marhaven.com
On Behalf Of edangsd@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [ SHOWGSD-L ] Coats
Faults of structure and movement are a much more serious fault than a coat.
They can be fixed by breeding to a dog without the coat factor. I can't say
that about the other faults. AOE Am Can GV GCC I'm All That Matters of Edan,
RN, BN, CD, TC, CGC, TDI, CHIC, ROM's dam and dam of too many other champions
to count. She could have finished easily today.
Ann
www.edangsd.com
Home of AOE Am Can Ch GV KOBE RN,BN,CD,TC,CGC,TDI,CHIC,ROM, AOE Sel Ex Ch
Gilley RN, TC, ROM , AOE Sel Ex Ch Maxwell RN, TC, and Sel Ch MmmMmm Good, #1
dam Muggles, Breeder-owner 0f 104 champions and 26 ROMs.
Proud receipient of Lloyd Brackett Award
