2011 FCI World Championship - Page 6

 The Mali has yet to become as popular as the GSD in everyday life for everyday people. As a Mali person I would find that comforting because as the populrity rises so does the individual wants and desires of the orginization overlooking it and the people breeding it.

 Not everyone wants a working dog so they breeed for the look but not the tempermant and this could easliy happen to the Mali,Dutchie, ect...

You can,t return the GSD to it,s roots quickly if it is ever possible all one can do is educate the general public and strive for the best they can.

Why do you think I start threads like this Bob?  Trying to educate people is not always easy, especially in the dog world.  Telling someone that their pride and joy may not be exactly what they think it is can be difficult as people have a tendency to get very defensive over their "children",,,,as you can see.  I understand that people like us that enjoy dogs for their working ability are somewhat rare and I personally don't want the Malinois to become popular for just that reason.  It's not a breed for everyone and I see evidence of that here every day.  I see back yard breedings of people who can't even spell the name correctly.  I see young dogs being sold for "reduced" rates by people who had no idea what they were getting into when they got a puppy.  I field phone calls from people who beg for a puppy and are absolutely certain that they have researched the breed and this is the dog for them.  People who swear that they have researched for 2 years and are now ready to add a dog to their "active" lifestyle only to call back the next day wanting to return said puppy because it barks too much.

Even the longest journey starts with one step.  Problem with that theory is,,,,,,,someone has to be willing to take that step.  So far, the only one I see willing to shoulder that responsibility (or some of it) is Dr. Helmut Raiser.

 I think Raiser has a lot of solutions to the problem. The answer isn,t rocket science but common sense.


 

See?  Now we're having a discussion.

 This in no way shape or form means I want to take long hot showers with you into the wee hours of the morning.

.....no hand holding,,,,,and I don't hug or play fantasy football,,

 And absolutely No putting from the rough!.

Ahh the morality police are watching,,,,,,,must be fantasy football players.

First let me say Yeah Sharon and Sam!!!!  You Rock!

Now, as to the question of show vs working in the current top levels of both in the GSD breed, there is a small but determined movement afoot to bring the breed to what it should be, one versatile working dog with the correct conformation to do the work and the temperament to "take it."  On the working side there are many examples of V rated in conformation and SG to V rated in trials and KKl1 dogs out there.  This is far from an accident.  I have one, hopefully will turn out to be a good brood bitch, already had 8 super pups in first litter.  She was bred to a WUSV KKl1 V rated male and that was no accident but a deliberate event.  Many other examples from top kennels like Mohnwiese, Schiffslache, Salztalblick, and others.  There are also many, but less it seems, examples of kennels and individuals trying to bring working temperament back to the show lines.  Notably (and always) Kirschental, Arlett, and others who escape my memory right now, but they exist.  I hope these developments prevail so we end up with a beautiful dog that can work and many examples out there doing it.
Just my favourite rant...
Connie Doan
BC Canada

I saw one of those puppies this weekend at a Ring trial. Yoshy (sire) has produced some very nice puppies. I have only seen puppies from 2 litters with two very different bitches, but the puppies consistently have good grips, loads of confidence (which may not be entirely genetic),good drives, etc.