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The German Shepherd Dog
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Here in the UK we are fully capable of developing a new system for our breed, which includes using the Kennel Club for all of our REGISTRATIONS, This is the core function of the Kennel Club, as they have stated, “the KC is the ‘Somerset House’ for pedigree dog registrations”. This will include all matters relating to our dogs registrations, including export pedigrees, transfers of ownership, registration of litters, etc. This also provides the opportunity for those who wish to participate in Kennel Club licensed shows and events, to do so. When it comes to the knowledge, expertise and dedication required to make the necessary progress with an individual breed, especially the GSD breed, the Kennel Club is very clearly more of a hindrance than a help.
The Kennel Club should now very seriously and urgently consider divesting much of its involvement in individual breed matters, directly to the individual National Breed Clubs. It is now very clear that the Kennel Clubs involvement in many matters outside of REGISTRATIONS within the Pedigree Dog world is well past its "sell by date". The time has come for substantial changes, and the GSD breed can take the lead with those changes. We can also show other breeds the way forward!
We would need a National organisation, for the organisational and administration purposes of our new system. I would suggest a new organisation “The British GSD Club” – this could be formed by the current two WUSV Clubs, BAGSD and the GSD League, amendment: OR EITHER ONE OF THESE TWO WUSV CLUBS, with representatives from other major breed clubs throughout the UK, possibly decided/elected by the GSD breed Council, from those GSD clubs who wish to be involved.
The main function of the British GSD Club would be to authorise Regional & Local GSD Events under SV/WUSV rules, to include classes similar to our British Sieger Event, with the current grading system. These GSD Events to be run by British GSD Club authorised GSD Clubs, with geographical and date considerations, as determined by the British GSD Club.
The British GSD Club would run the British Sieger Event directly. I make a particular proposal later in respect of the “adult classes” at our British Sieger Event”, I believe these two classes require particular attention to significantly improve the attractiveness of the classes, and to substantially improve the entries in these classes. The Working Classes have the illustrious title of VA. The Adult Classes at our British Sieger require something with equivalent status, more later.
REGIONAL BRANCHES It may be considered appropriate to establish GSD Clubs separate to the current Kennel Club Licensed GSD Clubs, to avoid conflict, and to ensure a clear identity for our new system. Obviously the new GSD Clubs could be mirror clubs of existing GSD clubs. A possible change to their name could be done by calling them a BRANCH. For example the “BC Birmingham Branch” BC being short for British Club or Breed Council, decided by discussion and developments. Others could become the “BC West Yorkshire Branch” and the “BC Essex Branch” to name a few examples.
ACCREDITED GSD SCHEME The British GSD Club would develop our GSD Breed Survey as a cornerstone of "accrediting our GSD for breeding" see “Accredited GSD Scheme” article - and ensure that minimum requirements are met for ALL health Screening Tests, and for entry into our BC Events, such as Micro-chipping and DNA Parentage Testing.
I feel sure that we can develop our "British Breed Survey" at a
reasonable and acceptable pace, with a very carefully considered content
commensurate with ensuring there is a strong desire for the majority of
GSD Owners and particularly GSD breeders to participate and achieve a
British Breed Survey pass grade. I would also strongly advise taking
great care and patience when considering the introduction of any changes
to the survey.
I do not advocate the German system for the UK; I do not consider the
Schutzhund Test, which includes a protection phase, will be universally
accepted here in the UK. For the same reason I do not want to see the
‘protection’ element included in our British Breed Survey.
This does not exclude anyone participating in Schutzhund as a sport, or
gaining schutzhund qualifications as part of the process of gaining SV
breeding certification. Indeed schutzhund qualification would be
required to qualify for entry into the Working Classes at all British
GSD Club Events. BRITISH CHAMPION It is my opinion that many exhibitors at the "British GSD Club" GSD Events, would wish to compete for the title of "British Champion", this being an altogether separate title to the Kennel Clubs title of Champion. A system can be readily devised to enable competitors at British GSD Club Events to gain the title of "British Champion". Perhaps based on wins in adult classes and working classes, maybe including a points system which can be accumulated and when they reach an agreed total, the title of British Champion is awarded.
I would suggest at Regional GSD Events, 10 points for a 1st place, 6 points for a 2nd place, 3 points for a 3rd place, and to gain the title of "British Champion" would require a total of 50 points.
Of course IF the Kennel Club award Challenge Certificates (CC’s) for our GSD breed at KC licensed shows, some of our members of the British GSD Club may wish to compete at the Kennel Club Championship Shows, which they would be able to do, and they would also be eligible to gain all of the Kennel Clubs awards, including the title of KC Champion.
I strongly advocate the continuing inclusion of the Adult Classes in our British Sieger and Regional Events; however I do think we should develop a unique and significant award for this class at our “Sieger Event”. Perhaps give the Judge the power to award the title of “British Champion” to those exhibits the Judge considers fully deserve the title, 'up to' the first FOUR places in the class. This would substantially increase entries, and would give a huge uplift to the status of the adult classes at our British Sieger Event, which is clearly necessary. This should be introduced in the British Sieger 2010.
I would also consider it very appropriate to award the title of "British Champion" to the GSD's that are awarded the grade of VA in the British Sieger Working Classes, and possibly 'up to' the first FOUR places in this class. This should also be introduced in the British Sieger 2010.
We should
not under estimate the interest and excitement that would be generated
by the opportunity of gaining the title of "British Champion" at our
"British Sieger Event", not only for British exhibitors, but also for
overseas exhibitors. Such an innovation for our Sieger Event would
substantially increase the entries year on year. Our GSD exhibitors want
and need opportunities to gain illustrious awards and recognition for
their outstanding dogs, such opportunities are at the very heart of
exhibiting, and we desperately need to put the "heart" back into our
sport. DYNAMIC AND PROGRESSIVE SYSTEM
I don’t pretend to have all the answers to all of our breeds’ problems
here within the UK. No one individual ever will, however our GSD breed
here within the UK urgently requires a huge injection of independence,
attractiveness, appeal, camaraderie, excitement, challenges, and
continuous meaningful and measureable progress. I am sure other important elements will be identified for inclusion in these proposals, because that is the nature of developing a new, dynamic and progressive system for our GSD breed.
Our breed, here within Great Britain, has been presented with a challenge by the Kennel Club. We should rise to that challenge, and recognise the serious restrictions the Kennel Club have placed on our breeds’ progress, by refusing to accept many requests and suggestions from our breed representatives over many years. Especially regarding compulsory health screening. We can now be free of these shackles, and actually make the progress that many of us have only dreamed of, a reality. We must not miss this genuine opportunity; it would be a tragedy for our wonderful breed.
I feel sure that we will be given all the help, advice and support we need, from the many talented and dedicated people we have within our breed, and from the SV/WUSV, and from many others.
CAN WE DO IT? - YES WE CAN!
The GSD Partnership should invite Peter Van Oirschot over from Holland to explain his countries system. Peter van Oirschot is an SV Judge and he also speaks excellent English. Read his excellent article - DETAILS BELOW Unfortunately Peter passed away on the 5th January 2010
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STRENGTHS & WEAKNESSES
LECTURE BY http://www.videxgsd.com/STRENGTHS_AND_WEAKNESSES.htm 4th November 2009 |