In a message dated 12/21/2004 11:01:06 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, skozub@xxxxxxxxxxx writes: However, I do not belong to THIS list to hear a few listers tell me that I need to breed to a German import & how much it will increase the quality of our Am Bred shepherds. I don't think anybody on the list is doing that. When you get down to it, each time you plan a breeding aren't you really saying, in fact "my way is better" (or, I HOPE my way is better)? If not, wouldn't you just go buy whatever dog you thought was "better"? Breeding a litter is just too much work and sometimes heartache if you don't think you're 'gonna get the next super star IMO <G>. Dog shows, breed, performance, whatever, are about ego anyway...the "my dog is prettier, can jump higher, run faster....and my breeding/training ideas are better than yours and I can prove it" venues. Not that there's any problem with that, as Evan would say, and I enjoy winning and "proving it" as much as the next guy. If I didn't, my guys would spend even more time on the couches in front of the fire than they are currently doing <G>. I recognize that there are problems in the breed and when someone feels that they have an answer I'm happy to listen to their enthusiastic proposals (but I'm going to take a "wait and see" attitude). Time to go check the rascals lounging on the worlds' most expensive dog beds <G>:) Kathy visit _Pine Hill German Shepherd Dogs_ (http://www.geocities.com/pinehillgsds/) ============================================================================ POST is Copyrighted 2004. 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://www.showgsd.org ============================================================================