[ SHOWGSD-L ] Re: Labs and GSDs
- From: Bill Basu <billgsd@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: "shereemosesgsd@xxxxxxxxxxx" <shereemosesgsd@xxxxxxxxxxx>, "Showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx" <showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 31 Mar 2014 09:04:54 -0700 (PDT)
As noted below in Sheree's post that our breed popularity has gone up however
our conformation entries are going down is a fact we must face and try to
understand and presents itself an opportunity that we should see how we can
exploit for the good. I'm sure to explain this there are a number of facets,
however i do agree that one facet that is important is if the procedure used by
most judges in our speciality ring was an emphasis on Type, Tempermant and VERY
IMPORTANTLY movement on a slow to moderate speed it would be more conducive to
owner handling(i mean good owner handling) than what we have been used to for
many many years of our dogs pulling out at the end of the lead. Now ofcourse
what comes with that are shows that are perhaps less "exciting" in the short
run as we adjust, but i think over time we will actually find dogs that are
exciting at slow speed where both the front and rear open completely and the
back is firm and handling dogs at
a slow speed who still "perform" will be art into itself. Because at the end
the German Shepherd was intended to do it's work at a "trot" and it is the
efficiency and effectiveness of the "trot" we are supposed to be evaluating in
it's "gait".
As a side benefit, It will also keep "old handlers" like me employed for
longer<G>.
Bill
________________________________
From: Sheree Moses <shereemosesgsd@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: "Showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx" <showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Sunday, March 30, 2014 8:49 PM
Subject: [ SHOWGSD-L ] Labs and GSDs
I started showing some Labs a few years ago for my veterinarian, who is a very
well known field/performance Labrador person, and a hunt test judge. She and
her partner have had many famous field dogs over the last few decades and also
show in conformation. Next thing I knew I owned several, and had bred a few;
in fact, I was probably going to more shows for the Labs than for the
shepherds.A young bitch we bought ended up (during her second year of showing,
not one ad and I only went to about 40% of the available shows....she won at
both specialty and all breeds) #1 female and #4 all breeds. I was an unknown
in the Labrador world, but she was a very nice bitch, somewhat more moderate, a
good mover and able to show in both arenas. A few of the Labrador people were
very nice, told me I was doing a good job, and I should keep showing dogs:) In
general I have found the Labrador community to be very supportive and
inclusive; absolutely ready to help a
newcomer. There is a def
inite difference between some of the dogs shown at specialties and some of the
dogs shown at all breeds, just as in our breed, but many of them are moderate,
and are capable of winning in both venues (I have this silly idea that our
shepherds should, too). I did find that it was a little more difficult to win
at specialties than at all breeds, but certainly not impossible. I think a lot
of the reason that there are so many more successful owner handlers in
Labradors is that the speed is more moderate and much less emphasis is placed
on "performance" and more on the hallmarks of the breed, "head, coat, tail,"
and on balanced motion. Perhaps an owner-handled exhibit won't win quite as
often as the professional handlers' dogs, but it is definitely possible, and
keeps the owners coming back. Frequently the bred-by exhibitor class is the
most competitive.Also, while it would be very difficult to be competitive at a
conformation show with a true
"field" Labrador, most of th
e dogs I have shown have gone on to achieve hunt titles, and two of the dogs I
finished have gotten their Master Hunter titles. I believe there have been
fewer than 60 conformation champions who have achieved this, but it is
possible, and they are very "livable" dogs who function well in a family
environment.Labrador entries have fallen a little, just as entries have dropped
overall, but nothing like what has happened in our breed. Fifteen years ago,
our point schedules were similar; now ours is less than half what it takes in
Labs. Our individual breed popularity has gone up, but apparently no one wants
to show conformation dogs. I am sure there are many reasons for this, I happen
to think a lot has to do with the way we evaluate our dogs in the ring. I
think if we concentrate more on sound temperament and structure, less on
performance, and start judging at a reasonable speed we will find more owners
and novices back in the ring.Just a few
thoughts, I'm sure there are
a lot of other reasons, but that's how it seems to me. Sheree
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POST is Copyrighted 2014. 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.
Each Author is responsible for the content of his/her post. This group and its
administrators are not responsible for the comments or opinions expressed in
any post.
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@xxxxxxxxxxx
VISIT OUR WEBSITE - http://showgsd.org SUBSCRIPTION:
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NATIONAL BLOG - http://gsdnational.blogspot.com/
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