“OUR BREEDS FUTURE IN OUR HANDS” (UK) article now on website - Page 4

Videx,

I have read your article, it looks a complete and thorough study. I think the British can do it. Only thing please do not kick out the small breeders, help them keep their pace with yours. I am not British and I am only enthusiast.

Wish you luck
Ibrahim

Ibrahim: the hundreds of small breeders are as important as any other breeders to the future well being of our GSD breed, They must never be side lined or ignored, they must be appreciated, informed and assisted whenever they require it. Our breed will always belong to everybody who enjoys it, and everyone who takes part in forming its present and its future. Here in the UK we are at the crossroads, and we must rise to the challenge and make bold and meaningful decisions, for our breeds sake. I live in hope.


http://www.videxgsd.com/our_breeds_future_in_our_hands.htm

What a disappointing response to the subject of this thread now that the awaited paper from David Payne has been published. As of today only one response (from a foreigner) on the subject itself. David has done a good job in bringing all of the suggestions into one paper, the topics themselves have been in the public domain for some time. The breed desperately needs a proper system, one that is comprehensive in it’s detail in introducing all the necessary health checks and, collating information. Even the SV has faults in it’s system and, however bad that may be, it is better to have some system rather than no system at all. Administration is important to the future of the breed.

I was disappointed in the paper in that no reference has been made to the vital ingredient for the future of the breed and that is the dogs themselves. Do the breeders really understand the breeding families and how they come together to produce better animals? What are the breeders doing about paying attention to character and workability? What about the size problem? What about the problem of cow hocks and unsoundness and, please do not say that if the dog has good hips that is enough, whilst it is an essential part of the dog the matter of unsoundness occurs below the hips where the movement of the dog is a mechanical action. If one part is in too much quantity then the action will break down. If you do not believe that then put the question to the true working handlers and breeders whose dogs are working every day, seven days a week.

Over the years there has been many German imports, some better than others, but even when these dogs are sired by VA males and top V males the breeders are rarely reproducing the quality that we see abroad. We have seen many animals come in to Britain only to find out later that the hip scores and working qualifications are incorrect. With this mind should we re x-ray every dog to check the hip and elbow status and, perhaps, make it a condition that they must be presented at a UK Breed survey and perform, at least, a Sch H1 test under the scrutiny of our own Schutzhund people in order to pass.

This is not meant to be a comprehensive comment but I hope that it will stimulate this debate in a polite and civil manner. Anyone that would like to comment to me privately is welcome to do so.

Mackenzie

To Miss Beeb

You are quite right it is essentially the same as been previously discussed, it is just that all the topics are now on one paper.

Mackenzie

Miss Beeb

Now that you have contributed to this thread "Our Breeds future in our hands" I would be interested in your views on the future of the breed in relation to the dogs themselves rather than the administration.  This side of the coin will continue whatever is accepted, or not, by the KC.

Mackenzie

Thank you for your post and I hope that now others will follow.

I agree with you regarding opening up the bloodlines but the problem is where do we turn to.  Because of the inbreed over the past years and as a result all the top lines carry the gene for size.  Character and workability is also a problem with many animals being reluctant to work.  I have seen quite a few animals by Zamp who display this kind of character.

Another problem is that dogs are coming into the VA group at too young an age and without progeny on the ground.

Where the breed is going in the UK  I am afraid that I have no idea.  Although many females are being taken to top bloodlines they are not really producing that well and, therefore, I think that the breeders are more concerned with the male Sieger placing than whether the male and his breeding family is suited to the female and her breeding family.

Kind regards

Mackenzie