I'd like to see some numbers on how many of the Vizlas, Wheatons, and PWDs are owner handled? All three of these breeds can easily be shown by owners, including those over 50 because the handler doesn't have to run at breakneck speed. A fast walk or a slow "trot" is all the handler needs to be able to do. Vizlas are pretty easy in terms of coat care. Wheatons and PWDs take a bit more grooming skill, but easily handled by an owner of almost any age with some training and practice. Look at how many Gs owners are getting second breeds which they can handle themselves not only to save handler fees and expenses, which is the bulk of the expense in showing dogs with handlers, but because it is fun to take your own dog in the ring. That's what most of us started out doing and for many, is where the fun is! This is not meant to be anti-handler. Was one about 100 years ago, have used handlers in the last few years and will in the future. It is just a fact that using a handler is expensive by the time you figure their handling fee on top of a share of their expenses. Yes, I know the argument that the overall cost to finish a dog can be cheaper with a handler than owner handled because they can possibly finish the dog in less shows. That is not the case in every breed. I have a friend who has bred and owner handled 95+ Kerry Blue Terriers and no, she isn't a "owner, breeder, handler" that really is a professional showing others as well as her own. She only shows her own dogs. I also had a friend who had similar numbers in Min Pins. Betty Johnson Tintagel blackhawkfarmsllc@xxxxxxxxxxx writes: Greg, I was just looking at the Soft Coated Wheaten entry for their national and we have more Wheatens (244 total entries) than Shepherds. Our nationals is always held at Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. (On the Hatboro, Devon, Morris and Essex weekend) This year, the Portuguese Water Dog National is in San Luis Obispo, CA on October 2-8, The total entry is 271 271 PORT WATERDOG 54-87- 41-30 40 FUTURITY 78 SWEEPSTAKES 37 VETERANS SWEEPSTAKES 14 VETERAN DOGS 29 VETERAN BITCHES 8 WORKING TITLED DOGS 8 WORKING TITLED BITCHES 14 STUD DOG 16 BROOD BITCH 5 BRACE You have said yourself the Vizsla National has more dogs there than we have shepherds. So the real question, why is a popular breed such as shepherds, being hammered in entries while the "not so popular breeds" like wheatens, waterdogs and vizlas numbers are strong for their nationals... and sadly, does anyone really care??? Mike Lynch BlackHawk Farms, LLC ============================================================================ POST is Copyrighted 2010. 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 NATIONAL BLOG - http://gsdnational.blogspot.com/ ============================================================================