GSDCA Lawsuit - Letter of Clarification from the AKC - Page 10

Usually the idea is with correct education and exposure the resistance to an idea can be turned into acceptance. That would be the way to grow numbers. Closing the ranks to protect your interests, that would explain the flatness in attendance I saw at a world class event.

You wany ANY of these sports to flourish, grow in participants and attendance? Great, professionalize them, offer big cash incentives for those who compete in and win top events, make it worthwhile for people to want to get involved, this is the only chance any dogs sports have of continuing to stay alive. 

@Hired Dog, not to jump on your point, I agree, but Dock-Diving and Nosework seem to be doing just fine without cash incentives, both for trainers and event providers.  There is an overlooked hobby aspect to all of this, which can be just an lucrative to the trial provider, yet still attractive enough for individuals not making any money to participate.  As susie has said before, maybe thats the problem with USA based IPO/SchH clubs, they are trying to make a profit with little to no ability to grow thier customer/club member base.  Regardless, something is certainly out whack in the states.

Momo,

No one, meaning me, said that anyone is barred from holding FCI or VDH events. That is your spin on it.

I can hold a trial this weekend using the Czech/Slovak system of titling dogs. (The one similar to Sch/IPO). No one can stop me. That does not mean it is sanctioned by any organization. I can hold a GSD tiddly-winks competition any time I want. That does not mean it is sanctioned or official in any way.

What I did say is that the WUSV is not a member of the VDH and that the SV is. Just the same as the GSDCA is a member of the AKC.

Our GSD organizations here in the United States, UScA, WDA, and very recently the GSDCA have chosen to follow the German Shepherd Dog rules and regulations, set forth by the SV, through each club's affiliation with the WUSV. We are afforded the right to hold trials, conformation shows, breed surveys, etc that the SV does and use their judges, or train our own, through that affiliation with the WUSV. There is no affiliation with the VDH. It is the German version of the AKC and has no say in what we, as members of U.S. dog clubs, do, or do not do.

Momo,

Since you are so up to date on Dock-Diving and Nosework, how many official, sanctioned events are held each year in these disciplines, and, who are the national organizing bodies? I live in the Chicagoland area. This is a very large metropolitan area. The third largest in the U.S. Are their any official, sanctioned events that I can attend this weekend, or in the next weekend or two?

Hired Dog,

You have a very good point. There are problems with that, though.

Who is going to put up the huge sums of cash? 

The nature of the organizations will also have to change concerning bylaws and the organizations will lose non-profit status.

It will also become more difficult for smaller local clubs to survive, especially in more remote areas.

Momo, the sports you mentioned are new and still exciting, just like anything else is when it first starts. After a certain amount of years go by, the new smells and sights and sounds go away and you are left with work...doing it for the sake of doing it and this is where you lose most people.

Yes, there certianly is a HUGE difference between here and Europe as far as attitudes go when it comes to training dogs, but, that is changing too with the younger generation who is more interested in other things. Yes, some of the old timers still go to the club and train 4-5 times a week, but, its cultural, this is the way they were brought up, this is what they know. This will also never happen here, especially with the younger generation coming up. Eh, in my opinion and like I said before, in 20 years this will all be a moot point.

Steve, my friend...I have no idea how many members there are in the USA or World wide in IPO/Sch, however, if we just take a number, lets say...50K and each one puts $10 towards that idea, how much money is that? Better set ups for your trials, better helpers, better conditions for everyone and real money to attract attention and bring in people who may not be competing because there is no money in it, what do you think?

I cannot speak for the legal issues that may come up, but, I am sure that where there is a will, there is a way.

No one, meaning me, said that anyone is barred from holding FCI or VDH events. That is your spin on it.

@OGBS, so, then its possible to spin yourself?

This is the statement you posted earlier:

"Nowhere in the WUSV bylaws does it say that WUSV membership allows member clubs to offer VDH titles"

I live in the Chicagoland area. This is a very large metropolitan area. The third largest in the U.S. Are their any official, sanctioned events that I can attend this weekend, or in the next weekend or two?

The UKC has 9 dock diving scheduled this year between both Springfield, Illinois and Shelby Michigan. The NADD has one scheduled in Rock Falls IL this weekend. I also imagine weather plays a big role too.  On a side note, I doubt the Chicagoland area is ideal for bare backed watersports, like surfing, for both humans and animals.

No spin at all, Momo. The affiliation with the WUSV allows member clubs to offer SV titles, not VDH. If you want to argue that the SV titles offered are VDH titles go ahead, but, here is how I look at it. If the VDH did not exist the SV through the WUSV would still be offering those titles.

Why would the Chicagoland area not be good for watersports, dog or human?

You are starting to sound more and more like you have no idea what you are talking about.

We have a lot of water around here. Have you ever heard of Lake Michigan? Here is an example. I have been racing sailboats for twenty years. I regularly race about 60 times a year on Lake Michigan. The Chicago sailboat racing community is one of the largest in the United States. That is why it was chosen as one othe three finalists to host the next America's Cup. We have many, many other lakes. In the hundreds around here. Does this not qualify as being ideal for watersports?

I looked at Dock Dogs web site. There are a total of 31 dock diving clubs in the U.S. that are affiliates. (UScA has single regions with that many clubs) Dock diving is not exactly thriving as you say, and not a single club in the Chicagoland area affiliated with Dock Dogs.

The other aspect of this is, how hard is it to compete in dock-diving? You pretty much need a dog and ball or a tug and a couple of practice sessions. It takes quite a bit more time for a person to get ready for something as simple as a BH, let alone tracking and bitework.

(For the record, I have nothing against dock-diving. I think it is great.)