GSDCA Announcement - Page 2

Actuallly what I see as discouraging is people who come to watch training with there puppy they bought from Breeder X and are all Gung Ho to train there dog and after training find that 2500.00 puppy is scared of it,s own shadow and they get upset or buy from puppy from breeder Q and find the dog has so much drive that it won,t lay on the couch or at there feet in front of the fire place all the time. When what they should of bought is a lab or Golden. 

I'm sorry to hear you say that Bob. You have the experience that could help the GSDCA achieve success with the working dog committee. 

Bob,

Where the GSDCA once essentially subcontracted the working side of the breed to another organization, they now have to do both. They need to serve both sides. The foundation for this combination was laid a few years ago in the WDS program. This program duplicated schutzhund with a softer tone as IPO is the current softer tone throughout the rest of the world. The WDS program had some hurdles which were eventually overcome and the program was implemented for a short time. It's still there to fall back on.

What the GSDCA has now that was not apparent a few years ago is a group of GSDCA people supporting the German (FCI) standard, the FCI dog. They are on their FCI standard soapbox promoting the standard. Problem is; not many are aware it's going on. Fortunately these are influential people leading by example. Helen being one of them who's credentials were previously mentioned. There are others. You have Dr. Goldfarb on the board with an impressive resume, WUSV liason, SV Judge (real SV judge schooled in Germany), owner of the #2 German male in the world since he was a puppy. He has an eye for the dogs, the SV perspective, the experience, etc. Another AKC judge has made the transition to the German dogs. He bred one of his females to my male this week.

My point is; the FCI standard is embraced within the GSDCA. They have the foundation to promoted the working side in house as they have technically been doing through the WDA for years. They have a core group of talent to draw upon within the organization. All that's missing is the announcement about how you join or become a member of the new organization.

It's a transition period. Probably some rough spots. To pull it off effectively the GSDCA has some obstacles to overcome to be taken seriously. They appear to have the commitment from the recent steps they have taken. Let's see what they come up with before we criticize it too much.

I remember quite a few years ago the AKC talking about working dog titles and a working dog program.  I was sitting in a restaurant listening to a couple old men and a bunch of older ladies and one was very happy they were talking about accepting or developing a working dog program.  The others were just appalled and "frightened".  I wasn't a part of their group, but I was eavsdropping :)  because it interested me.  We had just moved to the area and i thought, "cool, dog people" .

Anyway, I ran into that woman in favor of a year or so later, she ended up being a vet I went to see when I was looking for a new one.  Not that this has much to do with anything, I just remember the attitudes of everyone at that table concerning working dogs that included biting, except for one lone woman.  She was a great vet too :)

I have a letter from the AKC stating there disdain and non acceptance of the Biting dog sports. Yes it is a older letter but I still believe it,s entrenched in there mantra. 

I,m not trying to be a ass, But the first thing is to define "Working"  I don,t believe that a orginization so tightly bound to the AKC will flurish a working dog program. 

Maybe you should give them a chance, Bob, and help by offering your take to Helen or Fasano or Goldfarb?  Their success could only benefit the breed in the long run.

Just a side note - I was surprised at how many GSDCA members attend the BSZS every year. Believe it or not, people, the times they are a changin'. Not quick enough for many of us.

I'm glad Randy mentioned Goldfarb too. The yellow flag is that more people need to get involved for any of this to go anywhere. Helen and Morton are not young kids anymore, new blood would be so valuable right now. United we stand, divided we fall.

I doubt some of their sincerity as well, but i'm all for anyone with any dog with the right temperament coming out to trial anywhere I am.  I will do a trial for anyone wanting to do one assuming I'm certified for them.  I will train with anyone wanting to train their dog for a purpose.  I don't care what org.  I do care that you care about your dog and aren't doing it to swing a psuedo dick.  I also care that you are honest about the dog you have, I hate selling fluff.  I don't care what people want to train, live with, love, hang out with, trial with, just be honest about what you have.  Other than that, anybody that wants to trial against the same standard I am?  Why do I care where they come from?  Let's have fun

Bob,

I think you have a valid point. There are some AKC opinions that are just not going away. Never will. For those there is a place for them in the GSDCA. They're not going away. Accept that. They have the magazine, the little chain collars and they wear a suit and tie to a dog show, go figure. Doesn't mean the same organization can't do something like the combined team qualifier, National IPO and FH championships, National Universal sieger,,,,,as they already have.

If we take the time to see what the SV has done with the dog, the German Shepherd is a dog for all people. You can find what you want somewhere within the breed. Why not have an organization that involves all aspects of the breed? I think it's possible. Let's see what they come up with.

Morton and Helen are two of the most devoted and respected people in the breed in this country today. I can knowledgeably say that Morton was one of the true pioneers advocating the World Standard in this country. He did so irrespective of his many opponents in the GSDCA and USchHCA at the time. Morton is a full SV Judge meaning that he can judge in any country in the world including Germany.  He has owned and shown many of the very finest dogs in the world including his most recent pride and joy, Nino vom Tronje (3 x VA).  He along with SV Judge Heinz Huehn judged the very first truly  "SV Sanctioned  Show"  in the United States and that was about 27 years ago. He along with SV Judges Gunter Bauer and  the then SV Vice President,  Rolf Fauser,  judged the first GSDCA-Sieger Show.  Before anyone challenges that he is a show dog person,  Morton's dogs have been SchH titled too.

Helen has been a stalwart supporter of the working and conformantion aspects of the breed for many years.  She doesn't only talk the talk, she walks the walk. She trains, titles, and shows dogs from her own breedings. She has been a AKC licensed judge for many years.  

By the way, if you want to one of the most remarkable dog our breed has ever produced, Nino v. Tronje will be shown at the USchHC Sieger Show in St. Louis, MO.., next weekend.