[ SHOWGSD-L ] Re: Pretty vs Correct
- From: caggra@xxxxxxx
- To: blackhawkfarmsllc@xxxxxxxxxxx, showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Wed, 08 Oct 2008 12:17:56 -0400
Michael,
I applaud your courage to post your thoughts on this subject when many have
been very outspoken on the opposing side.?? I don't know many, if any, handlers
who have not shown a dyed dog or did it themself.?? I guess my viewpoint is
that 1) It started at the top and trickled down to the point where most
handlers had to "keep up with the Jones's"? and 2) It should either be allowed
or not allowed, so that everyone is on an equal playing field.? Right now, the
system says it's not allowed and it sounds like many exhibitors do not agree
with it and yet coloring products, sizzors and many other tools used in
altering dogs are sold at AKC shows, sometimes 10 feet away from the rings that
they are supposedly banned from.?? That is the issue I have with this
subject.??There is no consistency.?
My hunch is that nobody wants to say "yes dyeing and altering dogs is allowed",
but at the same time they don't want to take away from the beauty or "pretty"
of the sport.? I mean?how many?would want to watch Westminster and see an off
white Maltese? or Poodle?? Or a GSD that isn't a beautiful black & glowing
red???
So "their" only option is to say "No - dyeing and altering is not allowed"
officially, but turn their eye from it.?
So, I guess I agree with you Michael...At the end of the day, everyone may have
to just keep trying to keep up with the Jones's.
Jeff
-----Original Message-----
From: BlackHawk Farms LLC <blackhawkfarmsllc@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: Show GSD List <Showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wed, 8 Oct 2008 11:17 am
Subject: [ SHOWGSD-L ] Pretty vs Correct
Hi All,
Ok before I start this post, Im going to put in a preamble (1) Im speaking
as a handler where my job is present the dog in the most fashionable light.
(2) Although Shepherds are my "original breed" (and I love a dark dog, with
a dark face and bi colors) I do come from a terrier background in my
professional career as a handlers assistant for almost 17 years working with
handlers who have had #1 dogs in the terrier ring and the Non sporting
ring.. thats being said.. here goes.
Personally, I dont have a problem with a dog that has been enhanced. I just
assume all dogs are and move on with it. It wont stop either. Simply
because, what is correct, (such as a grizzled saddle, a proper black and
cream, or a correct black and silver) may not be exactly what is pretty. Its
not just only in shepherds, its in all the breeds. When most think poodles,
you think in terms of White, black, brown etc. When most think Norwiches or
norfolks most of us think in terms of a red or black and tan, and building
on that theory when most think German Shepherds, they think of the "classic"
black saddled with tan/gold/red markings. However, this is far from the
truth as it is, Poodles, for the most part are dyed to fit in with the
perceived images. Lets face it, one would have a hard time showing a true
Blue standard poodle and pointing to it over a typical black one. And what
about a creme (with the tan shading) versus one with the :ice white" hair.
Norwiches are no different. My clients have a beautiful male dog I would
love to specials, he's correct and he shows, but he is not a red, he is an
even colored wheaten colored (about the color of golden wheat). He has lost
pretty much every breed win now because I wont color him. Have any of you
seen a Lakeland terrier before the color goes on? Same deal. I even had a
judge ask me, "Did you run out of time with this norwich, you really should
put some color on him before you show him again, hes too nice to not have
any.. I just smiled and said, "he's a w
heaten, not a red.." The judge said,
yes, but he will go a lot further if he is red.
Now, why is this?
Its simple. In our heads, we have a perceived image of whats pretty. What is
correct sometimes doesnt follow the normal perceived paradigm and as with
any "theory" when you get too far away from the paradigm, one must rein it
back in with the normal perception.
Am I excusing it, absolutely not, but before naysayers proclaim the "evils
of enhancement", we shoudl really focus on the educating aspect rather than
"all colors are acceptable" and being done with the subject.
As far as testing goes, they tried that back in the 90's with the poodles.
Essentially, it didnt hold water. If a dog was reported of being dyed, they
would have to take hair samples. If anyone tried to take a sample of my dogs
hair without the express written consent of my owner, they would have a
lawsuit slapped on them so fast, their head would spin. My client (who is
also an attorney) also said that in taking those hairs, they could possibly
ruing a dogs show career since presentation is a large part of what we do as
handlers so thus, opening up a case of punitive damages. Many people say,
"the entry should say that if you enter this show you will have to give
samples..." Lets face it, do you think the AKC would honestly agree to
sanction a show with those type of stipulations? Absolutely not. They have
tried before and unfortuantely, it was considerd a lame duck.
So, maybe this really isnt about dying and enhancing as much as, educating
judges, public and changing a perceived notion of what is correct versus
what is pretty.
Michael Lynch
BlackHawk Farms, LLC
North Highlands, CA
============================================================================
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 R
ESERVED.
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/
============================================================================
============================================================================
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/
============================================================================
Other related posts:
