I think one of the major reasons to own an AKC registered purebred dog is so that you CAN participate in the AKC events!! That's why I got my first AKC German Shepherd, so I could compete. Then I found out his quality wasn't good enough for conformation, but we competed in obedience. My 3rd dog WAS good enough, and through her only litter, by Hollamor's Judd, she left a legacy in the breed. I did the survey and indicated strongly my feelings that being able to participate is a major incentive for acquiring a purebred dog! -- Linda Kofstad "We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses." ============================================================================ POST is Copyrighted 2007. 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 - www.showgsd.org ============================================================================