WUSV/GSDL BRITISH REGIONAL CHAMPION - Page 8

Personally I can't say I'm bothered one way or the other what people want to call it if they want to award recognition to dogs that have consistently done well over more than one show. It is something that deserves recognition, after all, and if it motivates people then so much the better. My only problem is in the proposed title of 'British Champion' which implies that it is a title gained at a national show.

'Champion on it's own does not make a distinction between KC Champion and the GSDL/WUSV Champion.'

That's true I suppose but it can't be beyond the wit of man to come up with a title which does not imply something that it is not. If, say, a dog is V 9 at the Bundessieger and VA 2 at the American Sieger Show it would be quite normal to write VA 2 (US) so as to avoid the possibility of misleading. Similarly there is no reason why people cannot write Ch (KC) or Ch (GSDL) if the distinction is important to them. 'Champion' implies that a dog has done well. There is no real reason why the KC and GSDL/WUSV cannot use the same word to recognise this if they want and for those to whom the distinction matters to add the letters (KC) or (GSDL) if they wish.

As I said, it doesn't matter to me one way or the other. It is for others to decide what they want. I am simply pointing out the the proposed title of 'British Champion' is misleading. I would guess that the very last thing that the people at the forefront of the new show scene want to do is to mislead. That is what they are trying to get away from.

morning all.David ,IMHO the title should read as per the title of this thread as i can see Joe Public associating British Champion with the UK Kennel Club.May i ask a question...Why are u assuming that the top winning animals which have won the title of champions/are winning well at KC shows ARE NOT HEALTH TESTED WHEN THE MAJORITY ARE.Most of the alsatian breeders are health testing too,its only a small minority that DONT.You are undermining these breeders.You keep on about CHOICE.Well it is THEIR CHOICE to attend KC shows in preference to the regional ones.Most do not like the double handling n the handling system shown on the more german side of the fence.I myself WILL DO BOTH TYPES OF SHOWS,with my new pup when i get it,THAT WILL BE MY CHOICE.Carole Spelman,Rheinmeister gsds.

The KC shows and Accredited Breeders Scheme purposefully give the impression that they are completely credible simply because they are Kennel Club systems. The truth is significantly different. I am obliged to point the differences out at every opportunity. It may be true that many in our breed health test, however you can be certain that is "no thanks" to the Kennel Club. The Kennel Club "should" upgrade their conditions for KC show entries, and their (unhealthy) Accredited Breeders Scheme(ABS) - but they don't. Therefore one must continuously ask 'why not?' and continuously point the facts out. I am absolutely certain that the "ABS " should carry a health warning, simply on the basis that what is implied is untrue. Whenever I point out the true facts about the health conditions underpinning the ABS people are genuinely shocked. I am ensuring that these facts are brought to the forefront of public knowledge. Those who are members of the ABS know why they became members, predominantly for increased puppy sales opportunities, in the knowledge that the British public is being hoodwinked about the true facts regarding health screening requirements and what are OPTIONAL.

Videx, LOL Of course I should know that you would have already sent in your views, I must be having a 'naive' week. Makes a change from my usual cynicism tho.

Peterlee raises a very valid point.

I can see your average joe bloggs being more than confused, all they want at the end of the day is a tempermentally sound, healthy, happy, well adjusted pup.  Titles this, titles that.... the majority of people that want a pet aren't interested in titles.

I think the emphasis on health tests is more important than any title.

Titles. It is Titles that exhibitors travel hundreds of miles to try and gain, from England to Northern Ireland, to Wales and to Scotland and backwards. Also many travel to Ireland. How many will travel the same distances for Open Shows?

Then the question should be applied to Regional Events?

Reality is exactly that, REALITY. It should never be ignored or bypassed.

It may be that some never travel any distances, so be it. However never forget ouras is a National and International Show scene.

In our GSDL/WUSV BRG we can have Health Tests and Titles - we can have both. we also have many other requirements such as Identification in Tattoo and Micro-chipping.

Videx you are preaching to the converted by keep putting your views on health testing on this forum.  As for your comment "WHEN the title "Champion" is introduced into the GSDL/WUSV System, the public will VERY QUICKLY identify the difference it has with the KC Champion - MEANINGFUL HEALTH MEASUREMENTS. This will make a HUGE difference to the British public" - come on get real, the British public think a dog is a Champion if its been to Crufts.  They will have no idea of what the different titles mean.  One thing I do think though is that by using the title of this thread, it will make it seem as though the dog is only a Champion in a certain 'Region' rather than nationally. 

Most of the British Public have been very well educated over the years into understanding the value of Hip Scoring when they buy a Puppy. Never forget that Hip Scoring was introduced by our GSD breed.

I fully agree with your point regarding the title including "Regional" - the public and many GSD owners will most likely ask "in what Region did your dog become a Champion?

"Titles. It is Titles that exhibitors travel hundreds of miles to try and gain, from England to Northern Ireland, to Wales and to Scotland and backwards. Also many travel to Ireland. How many will travel the same distances for Open Shows?"


And herein lies the crux.  Your viewpoint is different than the majority of people out there looking to buy a puppy.  Unless you sell every single pup that you produce to other exhibitors (that know what the heck all the titles mean and the difference between the KC and the WUSV) then, there would be no issue.  The problem lies in that; the majority of people that buy a pup aren't exhibitors, they don't show.  Yes, admittidly there are people that become interested and may well go on to learn more about the breed.  Even venturing into the show ring, some even get bitten by the bug.  That's the exception to the rule, that's not the 'norm'.

At the end of the day what are you trying to achieve? is it for the exhibitors benefit or is it for the betterment of the breed?  If it is for the betterment of the breed in general, you have one hell of an uphill struggle just to educate the public, and two systems of show titles is just going to confuse them.

I really don't think it matters whether or not the Gen Public get confused about the titles, after all how many understand JW, stud book number etc or what is required to become a KC Champion? 

It is important that the public know that what is shown / bred by us has met the necessary health criteria, whereas, KC shows require no such guarantees.