GSDCA-WDA BYLAW Change Proposal - Page 7

People can't even identify the so called agenda. The GSDCA/WDA is putting on the World Show...hopefully with the help of USCA....but:-)

I was a member of UScA for many years....never trained or trialed at a WDA club myself while a member of UScA.   When the JA went into effect, I went to WDA and DVG.  It was a matter of principle for me- not necessarily what would be easy (ie, who has more trials, more clubs etc) for me.  If you don't stand for something....you'll fall for everything.  I refuse to PAY (membership dues to UScA) and sign away my rights to trial at any trial I want to or can - especially with another organization in the United States that is also promoting the working dog given there are so few "working dog" people/organizations as compared to other sports/dog events.  This is not Germany - this is the USA....it's ashame in the dog world we still seek approval from Germany, but that's another matter.  Sadly there is an agenda between the two organizations - but at least one of the organizations will recognize anyone that wants to train and title their dog.   Anymore, it's like chosing between the worst of two evils - in regards to the politics of both organizations that offer IPO.

Back on topic......I voted....mailed my ballot in last week.  

my principles stayed with USCA....I agree with you about the whole looking to Germany for approval nonsense....just because someone didn't stand up for what you believed doesn't mean they didn't stand:-) 

 I Agree with Judron.

I finally found a local WDA club that is accepting members but it will be a 2 1/2 hour drive each way. That stinks. We are talking 5 hours of travel time for a hour training session (she's only 10months so I have been told not to do too much).  I just can't do it.  It's not that I am not committed.  It's that that I can't block off that much time in my schedule.

But, I did find a USA guy that might be willing to give me weekly lessons and he is only 1 hour away.  So, I hope to fit it in while my son is in preschool on his "long" day. I am waiting to hear back.

However, I am still going to stick with WDA though and am going to aim for a June show for our conformation rating......

I support the GSDCA and I would rather show up at GSDCA events with my DDR girl and open people's eyes than to retreat and not show up at all. In my GSDCA regional club, only 2 of us have German dogs. We participate fully in the club and we all support each other. No, I don't like most of the dogs that my fellow members have (they might say the same about my dog) but we are all GSD lovers and that is what counts!!  In fact, we are doing a parade with our dogs in May and a cancer walk with our dogs in June which should be fun!! 

Plus, there are more opportunities to do things with your dogs as GSDCA is affiliated with akc. You can do agility, obedience, rally, tracking, herding, and still do ScH with WDA. I like the versatility!!!  My dog and I have our first show in both rally and obedience in less than 2 weeks!  So, I will do all that stuff while working on my BH and...hopefully...ScH 1 title!

I am just going to worry about myself and my dog and what we would like to accomplish and not the politics of all the organizations or their members.....

Sara

Smiley,
Well stated. After 20 years of hard work and effort to both the GSDCA and WDA I finally realized staying out of the fray and politics and not trying to make positive changes for the membership - looking out for myself is a lot more enjoyable. Enjoy your dogs, hang out with fun people who are willing to work with you, and fuggetabout trying to make the WDA and GSDCA listen to the people.
Just my 2 cents...

Judron - my comment "If you don't stand for something...you fall for anything" - was not meant to say that others should agree with my belief.  As I stated....it's my opinion..my choice.  As this is the USA - I respect other people's right to have their opinions and make their choices.  Unlike some organizations....I don't harbor any ill will towards those who don't happen to agree with me:).  It would be so much easier for me, given all the UScA clubs around me....to have just stayed...for convenience...with UScA.....thus my comment about standing behind my principles.  I'd quit the sport and find another....French Ring and PSA are picking up in numbers both in members and clubs....before I'd pay and sign away my freedom of choice .   To each their own...

mali...you did the right thing for you....great:-) I went with the organization that I felt most comfortable with...no compromise on my part as I did have a choice and chose....I train with people in both organizations...always will:-) Good Luck!

The bad blood dates from the late '70's and early '80's. I was a member of the GSDCA and a USA club as were many others who enjoyed participation in the activities offered by both.  There was a leadership faction in GSDCA that despised the SV type dog.  Ralph Roberts and his wife were specialty judges in that period who held powerful positions of influence over club activities.  GSDCA was ready to accept SchH and appointed Gernot Riedel to institute a GSDCA SchH program.  Gernot quit that position because GSDCA leadership was not sincere.  They really wanted international recognition without actually embracing the sport.  This situation was the catalyst for the growth of USA.  There were internal political problems within USA ca. 1983 which saw a schism and WDA was born. Bill Collins became GSDCA pres and sought to create a pro-SchH environment.  He campaigned Wax von der Wienerau who achieved AKC Champion.  (I had a Wax grandson).    WDA started to grow under the Collins term until it was squashed by the AKC.  Collins' plan was to integrate WDA into GSDCA.  The AKC said "No!"
The AKC threatened GSDCA with sanctions if it continued to sponsor "biting dog events". GSDCA had to expunge WDA to maintain AKC membership.  Ergo WDA is "affiliated" and not a "full member".   I believe the current "loyalty" requirements are stupid and ineffectual.  They are motivated by child-like behavior to appease the SV leadership.  The JA is probably unconstitutional and if challenged in court might jeopardize USA's non-profit status. USCA argues it has the right to discriminate citing the SV/SV2000 situation as precedent which may comply with german law but certainly not the U.S. Constitution. The leadership of both clubs should stop trying to be "German" and should focus on being "American".

The Roberts were real real jerks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  She kicked the bucket a long time ago and no loss at all.  They had a famous German stud named Ulk something.  Do not know if husband is still alive.  I was Not in confirmation.  I do not know who was more evil he or she.