In a message dated 4/6/2010 6:01:11 P.M. Central Daylight Time, firethorntemplete@xxxxxxxxx writes: A few observations: 1. Entering GSDs at all-breeds is like Forest's box of chocolates. You never know what you're going to get because MOST (notice I didn't say all) AB judges are clueless when it comes to judging GSDs, and the rings more often than not are not suitable for judging GSDs anyways. 2. There is a breeder that I know who has bred thousands of GSDs and finished hundreds. Not one of them is correct. They're very hairy, straight in the front and rear, can't move out of their own way, and all look essentially like Lassie. All-breed judges love them and finish boodles of them because they think they're correct. Needless to say they can't win at Specialties under judges who know the breed and know motion. 3. I challenge the all-breed show defenders to get one good one and take it from start to finish at Specialties, and then come back and tell me that winning in both venues is equally challenging and equally rewarding. 4.I recently saw a hot special win BOB at a show. She's a trimmed coat, and that is obvious to anyone who knows the breed. Problem is the judges don't know the breed, so they put her up. And please don't tell me long coat is no big deal. Trimming them for the ring is against the rules, so if someone wants to show one, show it as it is. 5. "A good dog can win in both rings" sounds great, but the good ones will often NOT win in the AB ring when they obviously should. Why would anyone want to take a really good one under AB judges that don't know the breed? 6. Make me a list of influential breeders that show almost exclusively at all-breeds and made their reputation there. Now make me a list of influential breeders that show almost exclusively at Specialties and made their reputation there. Which list is longer? 7. The majority of people who show exclusively at all-breeds don't know what a good one is which is why they're willing to accept the opinion of AB judges who don't know what a good one is. 8.If you have to show a dog 200 times at AB shows to finish it, it's not a good one. You can finish a three-legged goat if you have enough money and diligence. 9. I wish there were more good AB judges because there are so many close AB shows, but if wishes were horses beggars would ride. 10.The business about Specialy dogs "just racing around the ring" is essentially baloney continually spouted by people who just don't know. 11. This whole AB vs. Specialty argument has been going on for a very long time. It's fun and tiresome at the same time. 12. Things have changed because life is change. For example, look in the mirror. Smile. Breathe. The Futurities are smaller. They're going to stay smaller no matter what we do, so let's figure out how to adjust and make the best of what is. 13.These are my honest opinions and in no way meant to offend anyone. We all get to show wherever we want to show and believe what we want to believe. Life is good. tom elkins _www.firethorntemple.com_ (http://www.firethorntemple.com) Finally someone who really gets IT!!! Way to go Tom for telling it like it is. Randy C. ============================================================================ POST is Copyrighted 2009. 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/ ============================================================================