I was doing that all the time I was finishing CH Moxie, CDX (2 legs UD).
Running from one ring to another…I didn’t even change the collar, but did
change the lead. But I was naive (and stupid), showing her too young, out of
coat, during her gangly year, and didn’t bother checking which judge was good
for her. But Jim and I made some great friends, traveled a lot and found some
great restaurants. I don’t regret a moment of it.
Stormhy
On Jan 2, 2017, at 11:45 AM, Carolyn Martello <marhaven@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
We were at a HUGE show in Sacramento when the Winners bitch was also entered
in the Obedience ring. She
had to skip photos.....the owner ...changed the collar...changed the leash
and ran to the Obedience ring to complete
her C.D. YOU can do what YOU want! There does not have to be special
classes or changes to a system to make
us all abide by it. For those who want to and wish for it..JUST DO IT!
( In those days.... shows often required TWO conformation judges because the
entries were OVER AKC limits... )
Carolyn marhaven@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
www.marhaven.com
-----Original Message-----
On Behalf Of gsdworkingline@gmail.comSent: Monday, January 02, 2017 9:38 AM
To: Carolyn McKenna
Ok, I hate to leave when the conversation has begun!
Carolyn...That sounds AMAZING!! I would have LOVED that!! 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?
Also, if we did the evaluation route as a separate GSDCA thing (not AKC)
think how much money the Club could make! Not everyone wants to show the way
it is now with expensive handlers being the mainstay. But, they still want
evaluations and critiques on their dogs. It would help the breed and help the
Club...
Sarah
On Jan 2, 2017, at 12:28 PM, Carolyn McKenna <kennadale@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
Sarah, you just came on the ride too late. The times you are wishing for
actually abounded in the 50s, 60s, and 70s.
Everyone showed their own dogs, entries were huge (the first show I judged
in 1970 There were 53 in my open dog class), and thirst for knowledge was
high. Club meeting were mini seminars; going out to the sand dunes to
study footprints, having a blindfolded judge go over a dog and then
describe how that dog would move, slow motion movies of dogs moving, etc.
And fun !!! Oh, my we had pre show dinners, post show dinners, with
exhibitors and judges all
mingling, dancing, having a wonderful time. It seems that the handlers
were the only ones who went to bed at the
specialty shows; the rest of us sat up most of the night talking dogs..
No, we can never go back. But it is the same in other breeds. Most all
breed shows are judged by the magazines. We judges who judge a group or
more receive a stack of magazines each month, at least five huge ones that
are devoted to all breed shows and specifically to he
the handlers of those dogs seeking the ratings. There are very few all
breed handlers who will take German shepherds. Thank goodness I experienced
the glory days of the GSD.
Carolyn
On Jan 2, 2017, at 8:20 AM, Sarah Minsk-Eduardo <gsdworkingline@xxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
I am a newbie so please take my perspective for what its worth. How about
eliminating the free ticket to Nationals with the Futurity and just have
it be what it was originally attending for…to showcase bloodlines and
connect with GSD lovers. I would also like to see the Futurities all Owner
Handled. I think more people would participate in the GSD show world, in
general, if the whole professional handler thing was lessened. I can’t
think of one other breed that so depends exclusively on professional
handlers as does our breed. I would venture that our breed has the least
owner handled dogs of any breed out there. I know people want to poo-poo
this but it actually matters to a lot of people and effects their decision
to participate. I have brought it up before and the old guard says “if you
don’t like it than leave”. I just feel like the GSD show crowd should, at
least, TRY to make an effort to attract new people and that is not the way.
If the Futurities were all Owner Handled it would return to the idea of
breeders showcasing their own bloodlines. We could change the gait around
the ring rule to just a gait out and back and 1 time across so that most
people could do it. I think a correct moving GSD is easy to spot and they
don’t need to do laps to showcase their good movement. Plus, it would be
great to see the dogs with their owners, less stressed, and just having
fun. They don’t have to be on a long, tight leash to showcase correct
movement. Maybe offer a TC test at the same time so people could, at
least, get that out of the way.
I believe that "fun and comrade” do not seem to exist for most people in
this breed in terms of showing conformation. Maybe the Futurities could be
a start to bring back the fun in showing! I picture people bringing items
for a pot luck or cookout; sitting together eating and talking about dogs;
and laughing hysterically as they try to show their own dogs. But, at the
end of the day…people would feel good that they enjoyed their dogs; had
excellent company with new and old friends; and felt like they were part
of a greater community. I don’t know..just a thought.
Sarah
