What do you think of this dog? - Page 11

Total the number of dogs shown in any AKC area and I think you will find that the GSD entry has not dropped proportionately any more than any other breed. All individual breed entries are down partially due to the increase number of shows. That's not the only reason, but it's a big part of it.  A few years ago a friend sat down and did a rough total of the number of shows in the mid east in 1980 and compared it to the number of shows in 2010. There were almost 3 times as many shows in 2010. Shows that attracted 1200 total, now only attract 300 or 400 because there are 1 or 2 other all breed shows within easy driving distance. The GSD breed entries may also be down because more ASL people are showing in AKC performance/OB events. Every month the number of GSD's qualifying for OB titles seem to be on the increase and some of those dogs are also AKC champions.

Put it all together - increased number of shows, the ecomony, disgust with politics, the realization that they need to do something more with their dogs other than just conformation - and I think we get a more complete picture of why AKC GSD entries are down. It's not only because ASL people are seeing the light and going to German dogs. Some I know have got out of the breed and gone with entirely different AKC breeds.

Thank you Rik, that makes perfect sense to me.

I really do not know a lot of AKC/GSDCA people who "saw the light" and switched to German dogs.

Most of those I associated with (who no longer show) stopped for a variety of reasons, both personal and economic. It has been a few years since I showed seriously, but even then, the cost of 3/4 day AKC event could easily approach $700/$1000 with handler fees and travel expenses.

The dog is not perfect (none are & if you think yours is you are only fooling yourself) 
but I have seen waaaaaaaaaaay worse (I think we all have) - It is what it is....
  More importantly I'd also like to add that ANY dog photographed from those same angles will look poor.  I take a ton of photos of dogs all the time and you would be amazed at how a very nice looking dog shot from the wrong angle can look terrible.  Don't get me wrong it goes the other way too, poor quality dogs can be posed to look better then they really are too. 
I just don't think it entirely fair to rip this dog apart based on two bad photos

Thx Rik, the issue isn't about a comparison to all other breeds, the issue is within the breed. As I said dog sports are increasing( that doesn't just include biting sports, but all dog sports as I initially said), and numbers of German Shepherds in American breed ring is way down. I stand by what I wrote and (as some like to say), the unbiased can see it. The reasons for this occurrence is opinion....the numbers IN THE BREED is facts. I much rather deal with facts than opinions or emotions. I just say what is and some can't handle it regardless of lines, that's why I also point out the increasing trends in WL will also lead to some bottleneck issues. It is what it is.

Why isn't it relevant to this breed that entries in every AKC show in every breed are down in about the same proportion? I show another breed - in 1980 in my area we needed 12, 13 for a 3 pt major, now we need 4 and 5. GSD's needed 23, 24 if I remember right, now they need 12 and 12 or less in some areas.  The number defeated for a major is computed on the number of dogs exhibited the previous quarter. When that number falls every quarter for almost every breed, it's a good indication that the entries are down for almost every breed.

Maybe some ASL people have switched to German dogs, so it's a factor, but not the only factor for declining entries.  We agree that some have gone to performance events instead of or after they finish their dogs and some are just fed up with the politics. It's multifactored and is a concern for AKC for all breeds. That's why they are always conjuring up all sort of new gimmics to attract entries  - Grand Champion, amateur handler classes, classes for All American Dogs, all about increasing entries in all breeds.  Specialty entries are down too, but not as much as GSD entries at all breed shows and yes, there are more independent GSD specialties today than in the past. Sometime there are 2 specialties the same day.

I don't think it's correct to blame the decline in GSD entries soley on the increasing popularity of dog sports, they are generally not the same people.  Most ASL breeders don't like the German dogs anymore than the German owners like the ASL dogs, so if most want to train in performance venue, they will stick with AKC and their ASL dogs. 

I show in both SV and AKC venues, I go to shows and trials often and I'm not biased. I see what I see. Dramatically reduced entries in all AKC breeds. Shows that used to have entries of 1,500 or more dogs are down to less than half of their entries 5, 6 years ago. 150 miles down the road there is another show with another 500 entries. If AKC had left well enough alone and not approved that 2nd show, maybe the first show would have a larger entry? Not 1500, but maybe 1000.

 

The cost of showing and finishing a GSD is astronomical. I don't know how it compares to showing SV style, but I'm guessing it's not cheap to do that either. Dog showing is quickly becoming the sport of kings in both venues.

@ Blitzen, the popularity of the breed has remained the same or maybe increased. Nobody says that anything is the only reason, but when the popularity of the breed is constant, AS dogs are down, imports are dramatically up, dog sports are up, WGSL dog is up, in this country, there are some obvious conclusions that can be drawn. People that import or participate in dog sport, or Seiger type shows have economic constraints also....yet these areas remain strong. Maybe it doesn't add up, but if not a primary cause then the trend would be across the board.....who knows what makes sense.

liked your post dawgawwsome. I like your comments rik and blitz too. The thread has gone off topic though... 6 pages.
The fertility issue was a nice spin off.
Cost is another as well.

Blitzen, did they hold those shows the same weekend?

Yes, both shows the same day, the same weekend. One in the AM, one in the PM.