I am never offended by an honest opinion. And, yes, I remember showing many of
my dogs in conformation, then going directly over to the obedience ring.
It isn't if they can do it or not, it is the choice we make as to where to
dedicate our energies. With the demands of the modern world, if you are not
retired or unemployed, there is not sufficient time to breed, train, and show
dogs. Then when you add in the costs, a decision has to be made.
I don't believe one is better than the other, but few of us can dedicate our
entire lives to working with dogs.
I know I can't, but then again, even if I could, I doubt that I would.
Evan
-----Original Message-----
From: gsdworkingline <gsdworkingline@xxxxxxxxx>
To: dmarc-noreply <dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Cc: showgsd-l <showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Sat, Aug 8, 2015 9:58 am
Subject: [ SHOWGSD-L ] Re: Question # 9
Evan, this is just my two cents....I respect your opinion!! Please, please do
not get offended....
But, I think it should never be about what "we" want to do. We have to remember
that we have a breed standard to uphold and the German shepherd is and has
always been a WORKING breed. Our breed standard is universally across the
world. There is no doubt in my mind that there are Conformation dogs that could
step into the Sieger shows and compete! For example, I think that dog Kobe
would do great!
The breed founder said:
"Take this trouble for me: Make sure my shepherd dog remains a working dog,
for I have struggled all my life long for that aim.” Captain Max von
Stephanitz, 1864-1936
"The breeding of Shepherd dogs must be the breeding of working dogs, this
must always be the aim or we shall cease to produce working dogs.” Max von
Stephanitz, who had always advocated utility over beauty, eventually resigned
from the club.
"Work is an indispensable necessity for the shepherd dog." Max von
Stephanitz
Thus, whether it is our "preferred area of fun" for our shepherds, I feel we
have an obligation to work out dogs to uphold breed type and standard. The
people who ask why conformation dogs need a performance award but not the other
way around.....probably performance people would answer because we are
upholding the original purpose of the breed! However, I agree with them 100%
that the working dog must also have type, beauty, and proper motion.
The ability to shine in the conformation ring and work is what makes a
shepherd a shepherd...the versatility! Some people can say I am going to only
breed silver and black shepherds or whatever. But, being a breeder, to me, is
not about breeding what we like. It is about upholding the standard. For me, I
consider "work" not just IPO like some breeders but herding, obedience,
advanced rally, agility, tracking, nosework, search and rescue, service dogs,
etc.
I know I have talked to older breeders Nd they said that back in the day
their dogs would go right from the conformation ring to the obedience ring! I
do not know at what point that changed but maybe someone can chime in.....
I feel it is only right that our top conformation dogs hold a performance
title. They are representing the best in our breed standard.
And....they are shepherds! Like you said, of course, they could easily do it
if their humans allowed it! Like I said...the enemy is us!!! The cool thing
about obedience, BH, and tracking training is it is free! ***smile***
I think that dog Champion dog Kobe has the CD and TC. I don't know what time
and effort it took his owner. It would be helpful if they shared that
information! :-)
Respectfully,
Sarah
Sent from my iPhone
On Aug 8, 2015, at 11:58 AM, Evan Ginsburg (Redacted sender " elg440@xxxxxxx"
for DMARC) < dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
I know it is not popular to say, but I am not a popular person anyway, but
why do we require an obedience degree for AOE? It tells us nothing about the
winner of the award.
-----Original Message-----
From: Carolyn Martello < marhaven@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: wynsum < wynsum@xxxxxxx>; showgsd-l < showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>;
gsdworkingline < gsdworkingline@xxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Fri, Aug 7, 2015 8:29 pm
Subject: [ SHOWGSD-L ] Re: GSDCA ELECTION QUES. - Question # 9
Isn't Rally Novice all done on leash ....with
lots of talking and praise and motioning
to actually still
'direct' the dog? I would think the dogs
are more left to making some of their own
decisions with
the barn hunt, duck diving....
( not sure about lure coursing
and what it entails t hough
) than with
Rally Novice?
Carolyn marhaven@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
www.marhaven.com
-----Original Message-----
On Behalf Of Doc Zoe Sent: Friday, August 07, 2015 7:41 PM
Subject: Re: GSDCA ELECTION QUES. - Question # 9
Our AOE dogs are 5-6 when they they start to do performance
Rally is not that easy for a dog that has not been patterned young.
I voted against barn hunt, duck diving and lure coursing as an
inclusion for work
On 7 Aug 2015, at 21:52, gsdworkingline@xxxxxxxxx wrote:
Well, Rally Novice is SUPER EASY! My GSD earned it as a puppy at 9
months, I believe! I know she was definitely under a year old! It's all on
leash and no precision is required. You are allowed multiple commands and
constant praise and encouragement
(like clapping your hands and patting your leg) during the
exercises (unlike obedience). I am shocked they said it required a considerable
amount of work for a passing score! It's so easy that any dog with minimal
training will pass with a qualifying score!
lose link on test:
http://www.vonlotta.com/bhrules.html
I was just questioning whether the requirements for AOE were
sufficient. Mostly, I was curious what future board members would feel
regarding the issue! Of course, we want our best dogs to share such a
prestigious title....
Thank you for your time!
Warm Regards,
Sarah
> On Aug 7, 2015, at 9:32 PM, Helen Franklin
<helenfranklin520@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
> Thank you Sarah for your interest in AOE. I have been privileged to
speak with many of our AOE recipients and discussed at length> their experience
earning the Rally Novice Title. According to our members, as related to me,
this title is one of a considerable amount> of work between the dog and the
trainer, displaying many of the breed instincts attributed to the German
Shepherd Dog. The Herding> Title and Tracking Title, or Schutzhund Title do
not require "other dogs" as you mentioned. We
the Chair's of AOE, believe that the> qualifications for AOE are both
responsible and what the GSDCA should require of our best German Shepherds.
>
> May I inquire Sarah, If you have ever earned an AOE? Are you
questioning our requirements for any purpose?
> Do know that I am always here to answer any questions you may have.
> Helen Franklin
> AOE Co- Chair
>
>> On Fri, Aug 7, 2015 at 5:34 PM, <gsdworkingline@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>>
>> Mrs. Franklin,
>>
>> Thank you for your reply. I know a lot of us who have put RNs on our
shepherds realize it is a VERY easy performance title to earn. I do not mean
that disrespectfully. I was just curious if the future Board would prefer a tad
higher degree of training for our top Select German shepherds......That's all.
>>
>> Personally, I and many others I have spoken with would like to see a
CD requirement as part of the AOE. As someone who has also put that title on my
shepherd, I know the degree of difficulty that title entails. One of the
discussions that took place was that a RN was an easy title could be attained
and a title that does not require the dog to be in the same ring as other dogs.
I know that sounds crazy but people who show in performance understand a lot
of dogs with shaky temperaments (or dog aggression) avoid the obedience ring
simply because they cannot be around other dogs off leash.
>>
>> Our thought was that the AOE should be maybe a bit more difficult
to attain so only spectacular animals would qualify. After all, they should be
our "best". Sometimes, if a title like AOE is easy to attain , it loses it's
value. I was just curious what the future board might believe on this topic.
>>
>> However, thank you for sharing your thoughts on this matter! I am
very happy that any performance title is required along with temperament test
and hip/elbow clearances. I am proud of our AOE dogs! I'm not trying to
criticize just offer a suggestion that might improve our breed moving forward.
...
>>
>> Kind Regards,>> Sarah
>> Sent from my iPhone
>>
>>> On Aug 7, 2015, at 5:34 PM, Helen Franklin
<helenfranklin520@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:>>>
>>> 9) Do you think the AOE should require a performance title that
involves the dog to compete in a performance class other than rally novice?
>>>
>
Dr Zoe Backman
http://wynsumgsd.com
