I have an almost 9 year bitch with 36 titles to date. That includes three UDs, weight pull, draft dog, temperament certs, working therapy dog, herding titles, and others. She's the only dog I've ever had that timing, her willingness, and just the fun of it worked out so that she could get these. We're working on tracking and even water dog now. Although all of my dogs have had performance titles, when someone asks about Future and what she does..that's when it's worth all of the time, cost, fun, and occasional frustrations. That person or those people are amazed that not only can a dog do this, as most picture Labs or Goldens, but that it is a German Shepherd. My goal has always been to showcase the versatility of the breed. If the titles seem like an ego trip, then fine..if they seem pointless after a few.. then as long as that is getting across to the general public that this is a great breed and it has so much to offer, then I can live with that. Pam and the pack. UKC.,ACHX, UD, UWP, CH, PAM 'Future' UD,OA, NAJ, OAP, NJP, HT, PT, RE, CGC, TT, TDI, NAC, HCT, ASCA UD, TC, DD UKC CDX 'Forever' CDX, RE, NAP, ASCA CD, CGC, HIC,TC, TDI UKC CD AGII 'Terra' CD, HT, NA, NAJ, NJP, RE, HIC,ASCA CD, NAC Gone to the Rainbow Bridge. 'Far' CD In a message dated 7/16/2006 5:15:37 PM Mountain Standard Time, Stormy435@xxxxxxx writes: Actually, BRING ON the titles. The more out there that people can aim towards with their dogs, the better. We all know (I think) that a CGC doesn't compare to a CD, while both are great. AOA??? fine. I wish that it was there when I had CH Moxie, CDX, CGC, HIC. Actually, that what AKC did with OTCH (I think it is what? UDX6, VCD1 & 2, Rally?, isn't it? I don't think it cheapens any achievement that the dogs and the owner have attained at all. Just something more within the reach for which to aim. I think (My own opinion, please) that the reason more people don't aim for the 'health title" (cerf, thyroid, OFA, heart, etc.), is because it is transitory. It means what it means when the test is done, and those tests are expensive to not be there for the life of the dog. Stormy Stormy too hot to reach anyplace today. In a message dated 7/16/06 3:44:32 PM, TRAFALGARgsds@xxxxxxxxx writes: > Anyway, hope this address's any concerns re: contradictions...let's keep > an > open, positive mindset here and through constructive discussion, we might > actually I.D. the Problems, develop some Actions and end up with positive > Results. > > Mike ============================================================================ POST is Copyrighted 2006. 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 - URL temporarily deleted due to AOL issues ============================================================================