First we need too address that we started in performance and our dogs performed in all types of weather.Perhaps you didn't know this about us, but now you do. We might also add that we have bred two ATAA sires,SEl. GQ was ranked number 6 this year, number 8 last year) Bull was also ranked in the top 10( once in the top 5) three years in a row, so we are quite proud of our performance heritage and the working dogs our dogs have sired. We could have the National outside, I couldn't care less, nor could my dogs. It is the people that request" air conditioning" not the dogs. Keep in mind, that no one wanted to go back to Lexington after 96, because "it was too cold" Funny I never heard a dog complain, just the people. Actually the dogs don't care too much about anything..it is the people that always have their panties in a wad over something. Rest assured, if I asked my conformation dog to perform in a storm, in snow, in rain, or any extreme in weather, they would do so. As a matter of fact, taking away all the frills, may be just exactly what this breed needs to get endurance and stamina back into the conformation lines. The GSD was developed as a service dog, which I am sure you know. Service dogs are placed in dangerous situations, if we want to make " safty first" an issue, dogs should never be allowed to serve in the military, do police work, Schutzhund, search and rescue,herd, bomb detection, as all could have the potetnial for harm. The potential for injury to either the dog or the handler is part of the job. ----- Original Message ----- From: Ruth Scheubler <rightdogphoto@xxxxxxxxx> To: DaList <showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Thu, 19 Aug 2010 15:53:32 -0000 (UTC) Subject: [ SHOWGSD-L ] Re: Time is on our side I trust you were not serious. I do believe you can turn that around and ask the same of the breed dogs - are they unable to do simple gaiting without air conditioning? The breed dogs are supposed to be the ones who represent the "ideal" in structure, so should be able to handle anything the lesser quality performance dogs are forced to. We have plenty of agility trials in the rain out here and we also have moved many inside as it does prevent injury to both dog and handler. They do not trot in circles - they run, jump, turn,sprint, weave, climb - all of which requires safe footing. When the dog was blown off the agility equipment by strong winds at Ft Collins, she was seriously injured. Advanced obedience also requires jumping and that requires good footing. You can do without it, but you take a chance on injury. Would it have been OK with you to have your dog's show career ended in the futurity finals before he ever had the chance to go GV because of poor conditions? I think not. Be serious - the safety of the dog should always come first - they are not the ones who ask to go and feed our egos at the National. We take them. (and, oh yes, Police dogs can and do get injured when slipping while in hot pursuit ...and some careers do come to an end as a result) Ruth ________________________________ From: Hickoryhill <hickoryhillgsd1@xxxxxxxxxxxx> To: zrockenstein@xxxxxxxxx Cc: rightdogphoto@xxxxxxxxx; campaignersgsd@xxxxxxxxx; DaList <showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Thu, August 19, 2010 8:01:41 AM Subject: [ SHOWGSD-L ] Re: Time is on our side When Steve and I were at the MW futurity, there was an agility event going on outside, in the rain, and the dogs and handlers were knee deep in mud. No one seemed to be complaining as everyone was in the same boat.Not saying our performance events should be outside, but just wondering is this breed specific? ie other breeds can perform outside while GSD's must be inside? When a dog is in hot pursuit of a criminal, or searching for a lost victim, is it a prerequiste that the conditions be optimal for dog and handler in order for both to do their work? ======================================= ============================================================================ POST is Copyrighted 2010. 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. Each Author is responsible for the content of his/her post. This group and its administrators are not responsible for the comments or opinions expressed in any post. 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@xxxxxxxxxxx VISIT OUR WEBSITE - http://showgsd.org NATIONAL BLOG - http://gsdnational.blogspot.com/ ============================================================================ ============================================================================ POST is Copyrighted 2010. 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. Each Author is responsible for the content of his/her post. This group and its administrators are not responsible for the comments or opinions expressed in any post. 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@xxxxxxxxxxx VISIT OUR WEBSITE - http://showgsd.org NATIONAL BLOG - http://gsdnational.blogspot.com/ ============================================================================