UK Show Scene - Is it time for change? - Page 5

There is definitely room for change within our showing system. There are some valid points noted above relating to the decline in our showing numbers and some simply cannot be changed, some exhibitors will always feel aggrieved and at anyone given time in the history of our breed there has always been a dominating dog and bitch, it’s for the competition to aim to beat that animal, not take it out of the equation. It’s too easy to blame top winners and judges rather than admitting that your own dog isn’t quite good enough

Cont.....

Perhaps two clubs could reduce their costs by sharing costs of venues and two ‘international’ judges, one doing one sex one day and swapping the day after. Years ago many British judges complained that there were too many ‘foreign judges’. As far as I can see, we’ve tried the Brits and our entries have gone into decline—lets be honest, the ‘foreign judges’ still bring in the largest entries.

List of Shows:

http://www.lararth.co.uk/show_dates.htm

Also on the same page is full list of KC Approved Champ show judges & SV Approved Judges

A thought on judges, we think its about time a huge shake up and removal of names is made to the Championship judges list , there are people on the list who are unable to judge because of their age, but may have another show in them aged 90 plus (exagerating), and some that have sadly passed away that are still on the list and they are left on, why? Not saying that the past judges havent been good, some excellent, just making the point that some now are too old or not physically fit to do the job, some can do the job and are very fit and totally able, therefore should be allowed, but they too should know the time to retire, as they did from work. 

Then there are the people who have not been in the breed for a number of years, why bloody committees ask these people I have no idea, they have no dogs, no interest, oh yeah but they will judge for us, and at breed clubs. Thanks for the priviledge. They also get asked and judge at the General Ch shows, and as you have guessed it, its because they are on the list! Never get our entries I can tell you. And for those leaving, or left the breed they also should contact the BC and ask for removal of their names, as they will be on the list for years, and again whats the point if they have no interest? We would also like to mention some incompetent all rounders and 'other side' judges and some Overseas Judges who wouldnt know a good shepherd if it bit them on the arse, get them off too.

We have people in the Breed that are very good judges, they dont seem to get the breaks, they are breeding excellent dogs, attend shows, pull good entries etc, etc, etc and dont get asked, is it because the face doesnt fit or is it because we are swamped by hundreds of above judges on the list, I seem to be frown more and more when the Ch Show dates and judges are passed round at the beginning of each new year, accompanied with some 'bloody hell', or  'oh shit ' language, and we are sure many exhibitors wear the same frown and have similar terminology as us. And as for the pulling names out of a hat scenario, would need a bloody big hat to fit the names in, and I can just see it now, a German judging the UK Alsatian Show and visa versa judging the 2 Day Show/British Sieger. Wow what a thought.

Spike

Its fine to suggest having 2 shows together, but not every one can hand over a whole weekend to a show - what happens to other animals at home and what about family - Having got children who have tons of home work most weekends it wouldnt be easy to deal with and to be honest usually a day is enough as although I have someone who will come and "sit" for the day and deal with the animals its not so easy for the weekend

HI Sharon, (Bess) If I remember correctly the BC minutes reflected fact that the KC were still working from an old list, even though it had been supplied with a new one. I believe this came to light as soon as the KC saw fit to raise what they thought was a problem with their list at which time it was immediately resolved.

To All, Talking of BC minutes I have sat and read all of your suggestions, some excellent, others interesting though doubtless unworkable. Thing is people, everyone of them has at one time or another being placed upon the BC Agenda and subsequently being outvoted, dismissed with discussion or even had a working party created to futher waste peoples time discussing it before it was still thrown out etc. One thing you have to realise is that if you come up with a good idea you bloody well better make sure the BC powers that be are on board with it or by hook or by crook it wont get a proper airing or stand a cat in h***'s chance of being passed.

Here's a great idea for a book, get someone to publish every BC Agenda , followed by the minutes since its conception. What a read that would be, it might help some of you in your dark rooms find the light switch and as AandA suggested, turn it on. What happened to the suggestion of Clubs keeping their own identity whilst banding togerher in Regional Area's for the betterment of putting on dual show weekends, all committee's of a region helping each other, holding seminars, collective training , perhaps even amalgamating spare club funds in the hope of purchasing some land where a club house could be erected (even if it was just a large removal shed). A non starter for the finances of an individual Club but not if a few came together as a Region. But, hey ho, too forward thinking, or perhaps the problem was that it was someone elses idea and not there's but whatever it was deferred to a Working Party just long enough to organise a counter attack and build up an opposition to it.

Then we have Spike's idea on the judging list. I agree with his/her sentiments entirely. Been there , tried that too I'm afraid and got another burnt teashirt.. Even though much thought was put into the proposal, with suggestion of an Honours List  for those well known, well respected judges who over the years had done much for our breed but were now too old or infirm to judge, but once again the leave it as it is brigade won the day.

Bill's (Patrick) idea re pulling judges names out of the hat, even if you all thought this was a great idea, one problem, Bess wouldnt be able to have one of her choice of judges because Foriegn judges are not on the BC list. This is because the list is done as an annual requirement for the KC, that all Breed Clubs must submit their Clubs preferred Championship Show Judges list as a requisite of their Clubs KC Annual Returns of which only judges UK residents and approved judges to be included. So Bill's hat would be Foreigner Free.

So I have sat here reading all your rsuggestions with a smile on my face and an ever increasing De Ja Vu feeling and dreamt of what might have been if all these forward thinking idea's had been passed and acted upon BEFORE it became so desperate obvious the show scene is in need of a change, and wonder if any of you will manage to make these idea's a reality, or if they are just seeds once again destined for stoney ground. In fact I would be totally amazed if there is ONE PERSON OUT THERE with any of the necessary attributes to even take them as far as we did in the past.

I will watch on and continue to read BC minutes with interest to see how all of you with your idea's get on, but forgive me if I dont hold my breath.

Regards

Sue B

 The GSD League is the foremost National GSD Club for our Show scene; The BAGSD is the foremost National GSD Club for local obedience branches and working trials. Both Clubs have Working Dogs Branches for Schutzhund and VPG (VPG is another name for Schutzhund)

I am not sure how you came to the above conclusions.  BAGSD does not have any local training branches for Working Trials and if you look at the Working Trials Committee, only one actualy owns a GSD, the others have labradors, BC and or Rotts.

There are 10 branches of BAGSD which deal with Schutzhund training in the UK; there are 17 branches of GSDL. 

The only two SV approved judged qualified to give internationally recognised qualifications in the UK are both GSDL members, Gavin Smith and Jim Jackson.

Thank you Langhaar; interesting facts.

Perhaps the time is right for our breed to embrace the GSD League and move forward with care, consideration and with our breeds present and future being a genuine priority.

Langhaar

You quote "The only two SV approved judged qualified to give internationally recognised qualifications in the UK are both GSDL members, Gavin Smith and Jim Jackson".

Can you please give evidence of their qualification as being recognised as an approved SV Judge, their are no records on the WUSV site of their names as being qualified or even recognised by the SV ?

Can you please also name the 17 branches that are registered with the Kennel Club as GSDL branches?

Their is a subtle difference between the BAGSD and GSDL, one being a founder member the other introduced by the founder member, it was the founder member that instigated the first branches of the schutzund sport. Which organisation then has the foresight to go foreward. 

Mr Payne, you were a council member for the GSDL at one time, so why are you not the person to drive this breed forward ? You contiually express your views, did you not do this at GSDL meetings. If so why are we still in this dilmea, just maybe "Perhaps the time is right for our breed to embrace the GSD League and move forward with care, consideration and with our breeds present and future being a genuine priority" is out of the hands of any organisation registered under the Kennel Club Rules and Regulations.

Question to all: are you prepared to set up a German Shepherd Dog Club who will only be under the guidance of the SV in the UK. If so do you honestly believe the WUSV will endorse such a Club. If we believe what we are looking at on these forums, then I would suggest we should prepare a document of our concerns with details of the way forward to The Kennel Club.

Matz: It is no secret that I have very little regard for the BC. I consider the BC has for many years been a negative influence on our breed which has been growing worse in recent years. It is time to start a new chapter for our breed here in the UK
Newcomers to our breed are the life blood of its future and we certainly need them to help us understand how we can attract more people, especially younger people into our breed and how we may retain them and their interest. We also desperately need more new and younger handlers. Merging of GSD Clubs would help our breed in so many ways, from the National clubs like The GSD League and BAGSD to the Regional Clubs, this is a very important area for debate and action if our breed is going to emerge stronger from this long period in the doldrums and in decline.
I see allocation of CC status to Cambridge as very much secondary to the obtaining of annual CC's for our most popular GSD breed Club shows, these breed Clubs hold the KEY to reversing the decline in our Show scene and in developing Regional WUSV events, as well as establishing much needed training and education opportunities. They also hold the KEY to spreading out our most popular Championship Shows so that we can enjoy at least one each months of the year.
I know our breed can make the changes and adjustments to improve our current Show Scene, and also introduce additions like Regional WUSV events, more training opportunities, and more seminars etc. We simply need be determined to pursue our goals, our breeds future here in the UK depends on it.