For starters and to ease in.....I would like to see the GSDCA Review more
comprehensive. I LOVE looking at the show ads and reading the articles. I also
LOVE including the SV/IPO dogs. And, I am also a performance competitor.
I want our Review to represent EVERY segment of our breed EVERY month!!!! Not
just an article here or there.
I would like to see some new sections included in the Review:
Section 1) Newbie
In this section, we pretend that a new potential GSD owner has picked up our
magazine for the first time. We would cover different topics every month. Maybe
one month it is....How to groom your German shepherd? Another...breaking down
the show classes...what is a specialty vs all-breed show...what is a futurity
and why is it important? Another....reviewing different flea and tick options.
Section 2) Breed history/Standard
In this section, we can talk about the history of the breed and break down the
standard. One month, the beginning of the breed and talk about Max Von
Stephanitz. Next time, analyzing proper forearm/shoulder structure.
Section 3) Working/performance
In this section, we reach out to our German shepherd lovers who compete in
performance. We have an article on...so you want to get started in herding? Or,
unlocking the mystery of IPO (Schutzhund). Another month....how to start
tracking and what titles are available? What is nosework?
Section 4) Training
Here, we talk about a new training goal every month. Maybe How to teach the
retrieve. How to use positive reinforcement training methods? What to do when
your dog leaves a track?
Section 4) Fun German shepherd stuff
Here, we reach out to our fellow German shepherd lovers who don't show in AKC
events. Maybe talk about Hiking with your dog; doing therapy work; camping with
your dog; your shepherd as a running partner
Section 5) Health
Talk about problems our breed faces and signs. GI issues, seizures, bloat, etc
It would also be cool to every month to have a section where people could
submit candid pictures of their dogs. I know I love seeing German shepherds
doing all kinds of things!
Anyway, just some thoughts.....
I am a GSDCA member and I just want us to all support each other in whatever we
do with our beloved German shepherds. I feel like there is a whole segment of
breed lovers who might not always feel included. Our goal should be to support
the TOTAL German shepherd. A divided house cannot stand!
I love watching a top conformation dog and I'll say it....you're damn right
Dallas was one of my favorites and I make no apologies for that. I miss the
balanced, moderate dog our breed standard calls for. I love watching IPO dogs
work. I think every shepherd should demonstrate that nerve, balanced
temperament, and courage. I incredibly enjoy watching our breed work and
participate in performance classes. Those herding dogs can have me in tears
watching them do what they were originally bred to do. Furthermore, my first
shepherd was a white that cropped up in a 6 generation pedigree of colored dogs
(much to the horror of his breeder). That dog started my love of the German
shepherd and I have no problem embracing whites.
It is time we break down walls and unite together. Our breed is the best dog on
the planet and if we gave them a chance....they would amaze us with their
versatility! But, WE are our own worse enemy by putting limitations on what
they can or cannot do. We are our own worse enemy by putting up walls and not
embracing each other. There is an enemy and it is us.
The day a Select Champion holds his IPO (I'll even take BH and would scream
with joy to the high heavens) and an IPO 1 dog is a Select dog is not too far
in our future (will scream equally as loud)!! We just got to believe! There are
already breeders crossing between conformation and AKC performance and IPO and
AKC performance. It is time we support each other. Our dogs can do it! We just
need to break away from our comfort zones.
We also need to embrace our shepherds who do not show but are no less important.
**We are on the horizon of a new time in our breed. This transition will define
us for years to come.**
We all love our breed. I know all of us can appreciate a great German shepherd
regardless of what world she is in.....
We have the chance to seize this opportunity and define who we are as a group
and what we stand for. I pray we stand for the beauty, type, working ability,
courage, and versatility our breed embodies! We must be inclusive to ALL German
shepherd lovers.
"Never doubt that a group of passionate, thoughtful citizens can change the
world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."- Margaret Mead
Thank you,
Sarah Minsk-Eduardo
Sent from my
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