GSDCA-WDA BYLAW Change Proposal - Page 6

Wow....that is so sad about the 22 dogs. :-( And, Yes....it is so confusing!! I understand that USA working people don't like the GSDCA but I don't understand why they don't like the WDA. I mean they seem like they have the exact same goals and everything. I am new to everything so I'll just roll with it even though I don't understand. Sara

Get a score book and trial....USCA has the most trials and that's one of the reasons I stay with them. I believe thier organization puts on a better trial. Look at the entries for the WDA championships and look at USCA or AWDF. No comparison. Why is that?

Basically they don't want the competition. In 2003 the WDA was beginning to grow and a threat. USA drew a line in the sand and tried to force people to choose between USA and WDA as most GSD enthusiasts were members of both. USA basically said they would not recognize anything from the WDA. This was perceived by many as bullying and the WDA became more popular as a result. The WDA siezed the opportunity and expanded their services to include the SV services, 'a' stamp program, etc. offered by USA but at that time not offered by the WDA. The WDA took a very different position as they do now. They welcomed anyone that wanted to do anything with their dog.

The WDA did ask the SV what they thought of USA not recognizing the results from their SV judges. The SV wrote USA a letter and basically told them if they didn't recognize results from SV judges they would be sanctioned and the SV would no longer send SV judges to USA events. USA tucked their tail and begrudgingly retreated but retained animosity and kept whatever they could legally to keep the wedge driven between the two such as the scorebook issue.

A few years ago the SV set an example by excluding RSV2000 members from becoming or retaining their SV membership. This gave justification and birth to the exclusionary amendment this country is now stuck with. It basically backfired in both countries. Substantial membership was lost and both had to look elsewhere to increase membership. Hence the SV inclusion of the coated dogs as damage control. USA followed suit.

This country is now faced with a set of rules that are so complex, no one, not even, yes remarkably not even those in charge are able to understand. I asked one sieger show question to the USA office, Sieger Show secretary, and National Breed Warden and got three different answers. They were able to conference and clear up the discrepancy immediately but it just demonstrated to me how complex and misunderstood the rules are.

Your confusion as you have posted is felt throughout the GSD community. You are not alone. The misinformation is spread throughout the GSD community as you have seen from the responses to this post.

Dog1, thank you for sharing the history behind the feud. What a bummer......maybe things will change for the better!

I figure, it's better to try to get involved and make a change than to retreat.  

I don't understand the whole "scorebook" thing either so I guess I have to figure that one out soon.

I don't know if I need a scorebook for the WDA conformation show in June or for when I try for a BH.  I don't know what scorebook to get after reading Judron's response. Nor, do I understand if everyone, at least, accepts everybody elses scorebooks and, if so, under what conditions. Argh!!!!  

Whenever I think about this whole SV/ ScH thing and how I might participate my head just starts to hurt. So, I am not going to think about it anymore today!! 

 Sara

I'm not having a problem competing or training....choose an organization and support it....I've been a member of both....I chose USCA when all the backbiting began...the SV is about cash as is the AKC.

you need a scorebook from USCA..AWDF scorebook and you can compete anywhere...I believe...

  I don't swallow the concept where one must give up their rights and choose one orginazation over the other. The tide of popularity swings back and forth between these orginazations as we have seen over the years. Interestingly enough the popularity of each orginazation has been based not on their accomplishments but on the mistakes of the other orginazation. Look at the history time line.

Around 2003, USA was by far the largest and targeted the WDA in an effort to basically put it out of business. The plan did not go over and as a result the WDA grew out of USA's mistake.

A few years later the WDA President has the WDA on the verge of collapse. Lots of excuses about why things were not done, sieger show may be caceled. USA is looking good again as the WDA bickering and finger pointing drag on. The tide swings to USA through the mistakes of the WDA. 

A few years later the exclusionary amendment comes along and USA looses popularity.

I'm for the success of the German German shepherd and support both organizations to the degree they allow and encourage others to do the same. Both orginazations represent and stand for the exact same thing, and need as much support as possible.

what rights did you give up...come on....maybe if people weren't always trying to do what's popular...in the mean time I'll train and title my dogs and enjoy myself:-)

With the new changes to the USA membership form you gave up two rights. One is the right to belong to another club. The other is the right to recover costs in excess of membership fees and other monies paid.

 Exactly what monies would I want to recover? I could never figure that out. No matter how you cut it USA offers many more availabilities to trial then WDA. No matter what the politcal climate is more trials are always available in USA.  Both orginizations need to put the betterment of the membership ahead of the agenda.