1- is not a fact, its an opinion 2- you can show your own dog, but professional handlers have been doing it a little longer and it takes time and practice to beat them. but you can do it. I can tell you of a bunch of owner handlers that win and win a lot. They also show a lot, and have learned the ins and outs. 3- I think temperament is better, but some dogs are not sound and its a shame that judges put them up, some win because they have lots of advertising behind them. I wonder if this is the same in all the breeds. * Ileana * Inquest GSD's, Home of : BISS 3x Sel EX AM CH & 2x Sel CAN CH Karizma's Cacique of Inquest TC, aka DEXTER Kaleef's Expensive Date (major pointed) aka JACKIE and the Poodle Patrol, Bunny, Huckleberry and Doc Holliday In a message dated 12/7/2011 7:44:57 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, ninemaplefarm@xxxxxx writes: I think people are leaving the breed because: 1) Everyone outside of the specialty dog breeder thinks the breed is now deformed and ruined. Fact. 2) A new person can't step in and show their own dog like in a lot of breeds as we require the dog to gait in front (instead of side); have this weird thing called double handling; and are 99.9% handler dominated. 3) There hasn't been enough emphasis on temperament and too many dogs are nervy I say all this as a new dog show exhibitor and a huge lover of the breed. I am developing tough skin and hope to stay in it for the long haul but there are problems here people. :-( Sara Minsk ============================================================================ POST is Copyrighted 2011. 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. Each Author is responsible for the content of his/her post. This group and its administrators are not responsible for the comments or opinions expressed in any post. 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@xxxxxxxxxxx VISIT OUR WEBSITE - http://showgsd.org SUBSCRIPTION:http://showgsd.org/mail.html NATIONAL BLOG - http://gsdnational.blogspot.com/ ============================================================================