I went to my first Nationals in 2005, in North Carolina. Didn't show that time, but watched and learned. Went with Mo Murkland, Grace Eaton and met up with Lee Ealy. I learned alot from that trio, plus the many people I cornered for hours. Watched alot of dogs! Went home, finished my Spunky! Then decided I'd like to breed him and that I had enjoyed showing so much, that wanted a second showdog, and a foundation bitch. Looked all over the country and found some very special bitches! Mo Murkland had her vet check out all the bitches preliminary hip and elbow xrays. That was first check point. Then compared pedigrees, to try to do the best job of assisting Mother Nature in making sure pups would be the best they can be. Finally, thanks to Cyndi and Bart Bartley, purchased Chablis Stylistic High Heels, aka Prada. She is now 21 months old. Spunky went to the Colorado and became the #12 Select. WOW! So, this year will show Spunky (aka Sel. Ex. Ch. Konigin's Phantom of the Opera, OFA, OVC, BISS, TT,TD,HIT), and Prada in Novice class. When Prada is two, will be OFA'd and then pups! So, slow process, but it needs to be done right! As a side note, had I been as careful breeding my own children, not sure I'd have had any! Pat Evans ________________________________ From: Mary-Anne <mary-anne.boulet@xxxxxxxxxxxx> To: showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Sent: Monday, November 3, 2008 11:14:32 PM Subject: [ SHOWGSD-L ] Re: first nationals? Micael wrote: When I came on the scene as a wild-eyed kid, you were showing a dog called Ch. Asgard's Paper Chase (?) or maybe it was Paper Trail . and you always wore pretty spiffy shoes too I have a question? Many of you have been in GSD's for years. How long after your first national did you start breeding or did you start breeding and then go to your first national? If you started breeding and then went to the national, did going to the national change your breeding strategy? My first National was in 2004 (Canadian) and it totally changed my view of GSD's. I think up until that point, I didn't realize what was truly involved in becoming a breeder. It really opened my eyes. Mary-Anne ===========================================================================POST is Copyrighted 2008. 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 - http://showgsd.org NATIONAL BLOG - http://gsdnational.blogspot.com/ =========================================================================== ============================================================================ POST is Copyrighted 2008. 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 - http://showgsd.org NATIONAL BLOG - http://gsdnational.blogspot.com/ ============================================================================