Many years ago we had a really nice sable bitch that took five major
Reserves.... and 2 pts. She was a really
nice bitch and her reserves were 'hard fought'....but still just reserves at
the end of the day.
The end of the following year the bitch that beat her all those times became
the U.S. Grand Victrix....a beautiful
little bitch owned by Robin Leiter called 'Cross My Heart'. Pretty much
explains the reserves..... { :o)
That pretty much burned us out and cinched our philosophy ..... to show only
under really good judges and if the
dog doesn't win most of the time shown....go home and re-evaluate. <G>
We showed BOOKER in Canada 3 times. As a young dog he was W.D. at the
National....and finished in two other
shows with three 5 pt. majors. It CAN be easy with a good dog that shows
really well. But it takes those two
qualities for the dog....and then you have to add good judges IMO....and of
course a handler that shows the dog to
it's best advantage according to that dog.
Almost every dog we have shown since the sable ......has finished by 18 ~ 20
months in just a few Specialties.
Again.....you need a really GOOD dog that shows GOOD and GOOD judges. Any one
of those three missing,
it can take a while........and we don't have the time, the inclination or the
money to take a long time.
The only other thing I can think to add is that some people do a breeding that
they are really high on...because
they love their bitch and the sire is a top Select or some dog they greatly
admire.....and they "assume" the litter
will be great and tend to keep and show one or two puppies no matter what.
Wish it were that easy....a good
breeding on paper and you have winners. My best advice to anyone is to only
show something that is better than
almost every dog it competes against. There is ALWAYS something better.....so
you have to start with some of
your BEST.
Carolyn marhaven@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
www.marhaven.com
On Behalf Of David Fritsche Sent: Tuesday, December 20, 2016 9:15 AM To:
'showgsd'
Subject: [ SHOWGSD-L ] Canadian vs. American Championship and photos of puppy
movement
There are two different National approaches to championships, Canadian and
American.
There are also two different kinds of champions – Cheap Champions and Expensive
Champions.
I have had both. A cheap champion is like the one we had some time back – 3
shows, 3 - 5 point majors – done! Cheap!
I have also had expensive champions (in my earlier days of showing), campaign
the dog in every show available hoping for something to finally fall our way.
Finally, enough majors and 500 single point and a million dollars in handler
fees and travel expenses – and expensive champion.
I like cheap champions. Carolyn usually has cheap champions. I’m too old and
too poor for expensive champions.
Have to admit though, I sure had a lot of fun showing both kinds and wouldn’t
trade the experiences for anything.
Dave
weel, Sara, it is easy to finish a dog in the states IF you have the right
handler. I used to encourage people to show their good dogs in the all breed
ring but NO MORE. ! Entries are down so badly that clubs are forced to hire
judges who can do several groups and most of them no precious little about the
German shepherd. There are a few exception. Today shows are most often judged
by the ll breed magazines; so find a handler whose face appears frequently in
every issue of those magazines, hope that that handler will take shepherds, and
then hop that you can find majors.
Molly can tell you about Canadian championships..
GOOD LUCK,
Carolyn
