Chinese Dogs in German Sieger Show - Page 6

I am a little distressed by some of the comments posted here. I do not condone or wish to see dogs or any other animal simply bludgeoned to death. I have posted several thorough articles on the rabies problem in China on this board. How many of you read it? The recent two incidents where dogs were slaughtered that I know of were driven by ignorance and fear and a very severe problem of dogs in China biting thousands of people and causing several hundred human rabies cases just in the last several months. Most of these dogs were probably strays. I do not condone it one bit, but I think people are mixing up issues here. What everyone must realize is that China is an emerging nation. There are many places in this huge country where people are still living as if they were in an earlier century. There are other other places where society has been dragged into our 21st century. No one who would ONLY visit certain sites, for example, where the next Olympics will be held in Beijing would ever think China an emerging nation. The next Olympics will be a spectacle to behold and will bring to light just how fast China is emerging.Take a look at their incredible technological feat and go see the worlds' largest dam. But such a huge nation with 6 billion people will have many, many problems becoming a modern nation. Creating and applying regulations to protect animals is a long way off, but it will come. However, their view will likely always remain different than those of us who live in western culture. All this being said, let me say that I have talked to two very fine SV judges in the last two years, both of whom have been to China to judge and/or train. Both told me of the enormous progress Chinese private citizens had made in raising the quality of dogs at the Chinese Sieger Show and how, in just a few years, it has grown in numbers and quality of dogs. Both also told me how the Chinese military is doing all they can to import good dogs for use in the military and how they are bringing every expert dog trainer in possible to assist. Clearly, those people in China who have the education, jobs, money and desire to buy GSDs, or other breeds for that matter, will continue to do so. And you can be certain that most of them are caring for their dogs just as we care for ours. Western breeders for whom GSDs are mostly about money, will continue to sell to people in China and that is not my business. Others, some who have written here, will not sell a dog to someone unknown or to an emerging country. That is personal choice. But it is going to continue and all who worry that most of these dogs become fodder for slaughter or the fur trade or meals are grossly mistaken. Though we do not mass slaughter dogs in the U. S., nor consider dog meat food (at least not normally), I certainly think we can and should mind our own business and consider how many dogs are euthanized each year because no one wants them. Look at the breeders you know in this country and see how many litters they produce of GSDs each year and then think about how few of the pups really go to appropriate homes! We are not without fault. Whether we like it or not, more of us better learn the Chinese language because China will figure heavily in our lives for the coming century, in ways probably unimaginable to us now. And by the way, I saw no one commenting on why there were not more Canadian dogs, or South American dogs presented at the BSZS. So what?How few Americans did it? I would love to, but I could not afford it. And so what if Chinese citizens did not take dogs to the BSZS? Why should they when they can bring the best SV judges to their own national show which has grown to be quite large. Just some thoughts which I hope will be read and carefully considered. Some of us are far too ethnocentric in our view of the world.

Hodie, I wasn't in the least oblivious to the topics you introduced on the subject of rabies in China. I got your message---mandatory vaccinations could have prevented the mass slaughter. But, I chose to see more. As to China entering the Sieger Show---Their business, their choice. I'm reasonably intelligent, very educated, and very liberal---I don't need a lecture on China's emergence as a modern nation embracing the 21st century. More power to them. As to your comment "mind your own business". There's no such thing as minding your own business. People make judgments every day on everything. Your posting topics on China's rabies problem to educate others is proof of that, and your implications that some people are "far too ethnocentric" is nothing more than pure condemnation of the people who expressed fear for the GSD in China. That's judging, and not minding your own business. Yes, you diplomatically said "Some of us are far too ethnocentric in our view of the world", but your whole post implied you weren't part of the "some". I don't enjoy being put in the role of a bigot---nothing could be further from the truth. If I misread or shall I say misinterpreted your words, forgive me. To quote your first line "I am a little distressed by some of the comments posted here."

LMH, I do think you misunderstood my message and I find it interesting that you have done so. But I am not interested in trying to make you understand what I wrote. Clearly you misunderstood even the post on the rabies information that I posted, only as real information, not sensationalized or biased. As for my being ethnocentric I work hard to see the world differently than perhaps many. But I did not suggest in my post that anyone was a "bigot". And yes, my main point was exactly as you wrote "As to China entering the Sieger Show---Their business, their choice." The rest was my experience and my information gleaned from qualified Europeans who deal with the Chinese GSD world. If you do not value what I tried to share, so be it. Don't read it.

Hard not to read it Hodie. I thought I made it clear that I did understand the unbiased and purely factual articles were not meant to cause a sensation. That, certainly, wasn't your intention. I would guess, education was--probably concerning vaccinations. As previously said, I got it. And, it's only too clear that you don't consider yourself ethnocentric--but, apparently, there are some others who need to be educated. As for "information gleaned from qualified Europeans who deal with the Chinese GSD world", somehow..I would probably be more interested if the word "qualified" had been omitted. That one word has a slightly patronizing connotation. And, actually, I do value what you have to say, Hodie. Your GSD knowledge is insurmountable, rivaled by few. And as to your kindness with rescues---I can't imagine what you go through. So, I will continue to read what you have to say, no matter what.

LMH, I am not sure where you are coming from. Suffice it to say that no, I do not consider myself particularly ethnocentric. There are many cultures in the world and to try to at least understand them is one of my goals. At the moment I have enrolled in another course to help myself learn to do just that. Of course, I do not agree with many ways other cultures deal with issues. In fact, I am often known for my strong opinions here in my own country and I am sometimes called to task when others do not like my opinion. That is fine. It is only my opinion. For myself, I would not sell a dog to an emerging or third world country. Then again, I will rarely sell a dog to anyone, and that person will go through a rigorous screening before I do sell, or adopt to. Though I have placed about 400 GSDs over 10 years, I have only sold three GSD pups. The word "qualified" as I used in the post above was meant simply to imply that the two German judges that I have discussed China with are men who have many years of experience in the breed. They also have been to China on offical business and see what really is happening there with the breed. Others I know less well tell me similar things as they have, about the quality of the dogs in China, the growing Sieger Show entry, the interest of the military in good working dogs etc., the love of some of the Chinese people who are in a place to have dogs as pets for breeds like GSDs, etc. I distinguish these people with whom I have been fortunate enough to learn from as distinct from people like those who simply comment based on emotion, and that includes many who wrote here. I know a lot about China, but I do not have first hand experience with the GSD world there. As far as the issue of the posts on the rabies problem, it was, yes to highlight that rabies is still a serious problem in many countries. And yes, it was to also let people see that simple vaccination protocols could and would have saved a lot of heartbreak and that includes the Chinese who have been affected in one way or another and those of us who care about dogs not being slaughtered. Other than that, I am not sure what your beef is or is not. The bottom line is that ethnocentrism is not at all the same as bigotry and people who are ethnocentric are not necessarily bigots. In any case, as I pointed out before, I never used, nor did I intend to suggest that anyone commenting here was a bigot. You used that term and perhaps someone else wrote that in a post above mine. But some people do let emotions rule when reason would go farther in the quest to right a wrong. As far as my knowledge of the breed, I still have much to learn. But I have been fortunate to actually handle and deal with on a personal level far more GSDs than many. As far as my GSD rescue, it is a sad and often daily reminder of how little our own American society values animals. It is almost always irresponsible breeders and owners who cause dogs to need to go into some rescue program. Unfortunately, I have to be able to maintain my limitations and know what I can and can not do. At this time in my life, my ability to help is very limited as I have to take care of myself first. It is very frustrating when so many good dogs (pets) go to waste simply because our society fails animals. But then again, we fail our children and the elderly too and on and on and on. But I will leave that topic lest I be called on the carpet for something someone does not agree with. As far as education, I hope that when I stop educating myself on a broad variety of topics that that will be the day that I die.

Truce! I'm not going to fight with someone I basically like, just to prove I can. I applaud your efforts and do recognize where you're coming from. It's 6pm here and hungry faces are starring at me. Keep up the good work, L.

LMH, Since I do not know who you are, I am surprised that you "basically like" me. There are many who would question your sanity for that! LOL. But again, my intent was not to argue with you or anyone else either, even in that first post. I write as I write and I meant no slam to anyone, even those who respond from an emotional point of view. I simply meant to express a little different viewpoint and perhaps provide some information. No caring individual who loves dogs, let alone GSDs as you do and I do, or those who have written here *(and Blitzen is my friend) wants to see dogs or any other creature slaughtered, regardless of the reasons. So that is exactly why reason should prevail. In that vein organizations and people who have the ability to help have approached the Chinese government with offers of help to stem the tide being caused by stray and rabid dogs and have had a positive effect I think. So have a nice meal and we will both work to understand where the other is coming from. What's for dinner? Cheers, Sharyn

Chinese Take-out. I kid you not. Fed the dogs, and since it was too late to start cooking, walked into town and brought home wonton soup, chicken chow mein, egg rolls, and salt&pepper prawns. Have a nice evening, Sharyn. Glad we cleared things up.

Ha, Ha! Good meal. But where do you live that you can walk into town to get such a meal. I have to drive. I am envious......I ate crackers because I am too tired to cook anything! Sharyn

I'm in "suburbia", NY, Sharyn---20 minutes from Manhattan, if I floor it. The best of both worlds, I guess. Would love the rolling hills where you are.