In a message dated 3/18/2006 9:39:25 AM Central Standard Time, edwinx@xxxxxxxxxxxxx writes: ....but if you truly want to see what different parts of the country are producing....that is not the system that we have in place today...would love to hear Dr. Langlitz views on this topic..lol...Ed -------------------------------------- I happen to like that people travel all over the country to show their dogs in the futurities. There are really only two times when we have the chance to see what is being produced in different parts of the country ... the national, and the futurities. Since the futurities are spread fairly evenly around the country, just about everyone can get to one without too much difficulty, if only to see what's out there. If I want to see what is being produced locally, I can simply go to local shows. Some folks have suggested that the futurities should be less important ... basically a puppy match. I like them being important because they draw from all over the country that way. If I want to go to a puppy match, I'll go to a puppy match. The problem with futurities is supposedly the cost to exhibit in them. Handling fees are the greatest expense. The cost of travel and lodging is not cheap. The flaw in that argument is that no one is forcing anyone to hire an expensive handler, and no one is forcing anyone to travel cross country to show their dog. Handling fees are expensive because people choose to pay them. They make that choice often out of fear that their dog cannot win without a top handler on it. That certainly isn't showing much faith in the dog, is it? If you have a good enough dog, all you need is someone who is able to show it. I'd bet there are several Juniors at every futurity who would be honored to be asked to show our best dogs. When Ashley Douglas was a Junior, she showed quite a few of our dogs. I can honestly say that I was never disappointed in the job she did. In fact, I was usually quite impressed. There is nothing wrong with the futurity system as it is. All of the problems were created by us, and the focus should be on fixing those things, not a perfectly healthy futurity system. I do believe the system could be enhanced by making second, third, and fourth placing more important. I once proposed a litter of the year competition that was based on dogs defeated by members of a litter, but it didn't get past the board. The point was to give people who knew they weren't going Best In or Best Opposite, a reason to show their dogs anyway. The goal was to increase entry. As I said, the system is fine. However, if someone has ideas to increase entry, every futurity would be just that much more interesting to attend. Tom Langlitz ============================================================================ POST is Copyrighted 2006. 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 - URL temporarily deleted due to AOL issues ============================================================================