[ SHOWGSD-L ] Open Letter To Sara Minsk
- From: "Paula M. Cooke" <pcooke212@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Wed, 7 Dec 2011 20:46:07 GMT
Sara,
I don't speak for everyone, nobody has any right to do that. I just want to
remind you that there are often more reasons for why things appear as they do.
Speaking for myself, a non-breeder, dog-lover. My dog, Harley (please see my
signature line for his "credentials" as an American-lines show dog, winning in
the All-breed ring, the Specialty ring, and the IABCA ring), is totally
mentally and physically sound, intelligent, strongly-bonded with me, and very
responsive to me and my commands. He only wears a leash and collar because the
law requires it; he doesn't need to. He reads my body language and heeds my
words. He defends me ferociously when he deems it necessary; he has never been
wrong and I totally trust his behavior and reactions in any and all situations.
A Hemet PD K-9 cop said that he wishes he had Harley working with him instead
of the Malinois he was assigned! High praise, indeed, eh? What more does
anyone want in a GSD?
That being said, I don't go farther with herding with him because I hate dirty,
stinky sheep. I am claustrophobic and feel the same way with sheep clustered
around me as I do in a CAT machine - sheer panic (no pun intended). I did no
training for his CGC, nor for his TC, we just walked in the ring and did what
we were told to do. I don't have the personal discipline to routinely train
for Obedience, Rally, nor Agility, let alone Schutzhund work. I don't have the
patience to sit around waiting for my turn in the working rings. It just
doesn't matter to me that much. When I was younger I did obedience work and
earned titles regularly. It does just not interest ME anymore. That should
NEVER be any reflection on the breed, in general. Just because you don't see
the titles you admire on any specific dog, does not prove that there is
ANYTHING wrong with our dogs. Would I like an advanced working title on
Harley? I would trade his BISS for a Schutzhund title, but, I can't. We do
what interests us, what we can afford, what we are physically/mentally capable
of with our wonderful dogs. A dog's titles should be NO reflection on our
breed, in this Country. There is no requirement for a working title to attain
a conformation title under the AKC. Don't condemn our breed, condemn me if
you choose; I am VERY poorly bred, and, thankfully, sterile!
I do not deny that there are serious health and temperament concerns, but, as
someone else said, that is true in all breeds, in all countries. This is why
we have selective breeding - to improve the breed. It is an ongoing process.
As far as sloping toplines relating to hip dysplasia, I always remind people
that the breeds with the highest incidence of HD are St. Bernards and other
"square" dogs, right?
Please understand that this is just my opinion. Harley's credentials are his,
not mine; I have no credentials. I am just one very lucky person to have been
given an awesome American Showlines GSD, my house pet and companion!
I wish you much success and fun in your new-found hobby. The best advice I can
give you is to keep listening to Sheree Moses; she is one totally classy lady
who really KNOWS what she is doing and really loves all aspects of this breed
and is always available to those of us who may require her opinion or
assistance.
Paula, 307 days and counting
Home of BIS, BISS, Multi-Group Winning, AKC JAM/AOE, Intern'l & Am CH, Silver
Grand Champion Asgard Harley Davidson, HT, PT, CGC, TC, HIC, OFA CHIC #64047
(Hips, Elbows, Cardiac, & Thyroid),.1st male GSD Grand Champion. 2010 #1 GSD in
California, Lifetime #1 GSD in Michigan, 2010 #1 GSD male in USA (AKC GCH
Stats), 2011 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show Invitee. 2010-2011-Lifetime AKC
Eukanuba invitee.
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