In a message dated 1/2/2017 9:38:11 A.M. Pacific Standard Time,
gsdworkingline@xxxxxxxxx writes:
Why can't we bring those days back? What exactly caused the change? I also
know in those days people would go from the obedience ring to the
conformation ring with the same dog. Coincidence?
Anyone that showed in those times....please share what you think caused
things to change?
The past is prologue.
I remember a show where I showed one of our bitches in the conformation
ring, winning the class. Tedi was in obedience with another of our bitches,
and we came out of the rings at the same time. The bitches hated each
other, and it was an exciting event with both Tedi and I getting bloodied.
But, that aside, the difference is the age, abilities and cost of the
sport. German shepherds was a sport for the royalty at one point. It was the
Dodges or the Firestones who had the best dogs, and spent the money to show
them.
Then the sport grew to the little people and everyone could afford to
show. The whole family would come out, and in a class, there would be 40 or
more entries. More than half were not show quality, but it was fun to come
out, you could show in a weekend for $50.00 and go to the after show dinner and
laugh and have a great weekend without taking a mortgage on your home.
Then incomes went down, unemployment went up, dog show costs increased,
even handlers had to keep up with the costs of living, so they increased
their fees. Families had to decide where to put their expenses. Kids found
new
pastimes, and German shepherds returned to duties such as protection,
pets, companions and events where people could spend a weekend with family and
friends and not at dog shows.
We, (you, not me), may see a return to the "old days" but probably not.
The days that were are gone, and the future will be different. Is that
better? Who knows.
Today's events are unlike the past, and the past is not necessarily
better. But nostalgia always seems to have an allure, but the youth of today
probably do not agree that things should be more like it was when their
parents were young.
"Why can't they be like we were, perfect in every way? What's the matter
with kids today?" By By Birdie
Evan
