The UscA national leadership is not about breed standards or German Shepherds, it's about having everyone kiss the "UScA Pope's Ring". Luckily the German's will just wait until a new UScA Pope is elected that they can deal with and if it takes a hundred years "so what", they don't need the USA clubs to have a parade.

When I am referring to the GSD breed standard, it has nothing to do with judges, shows or working trials -- it's the written standard for physical structure and temperament of the dog.

My understanding is that the AKC standard which the GSDCA-WDA follows deviates from the FCI standard in regard to overall size, dentition, elongation and head proportion. Hence the appearance of the American Showline Shepherd.

Katie

Someone more aware of shows can probably clarify, but it is my understanding that an SV judge is NOT going to judge according to the AKC standard.

I do think the WDA follows the SV standard not the AKC one.

I am not a show person, Betty.

You raise a good point about an SV Judge judging a GSDCA conformation show. Would the criteria be AKC or FCI?

Anyone?

Katie

I found this -- it's an interesting read and relevant to the discussion re: GSD breed standard and the two organizations.

Perspective by Fred Lanting

Katie

 Quote: Katie O'Connor

I am not a show person, Betty.

You raise a good point about an SV Judge judging a GSDCA conformation show. Would the criteria be AKC or FCI?

Anyone?

Katie

Oh my goodness, I'm not a show person either. The SV judges do not judge the GSDA shows but they do judge the WDA shows......

Clear as mud isn't it? LOL

The WDA has it's own Seiger show each year also.

 Quote: Betty Waldron

The SV judges do not judge the GSDA shows but they do judge the WDA shows......

Clear as mud isn't it? LOL

HA! You can say that again!

Katie

Charles, Michael asked you a good question, what does your club feel?

I have ACDs and while right now I am a member of an AWMA club, I use UScA scorebooks and I used to be a member of a UScA club. I trial either at AWMA trials or UScA trials due to those being the only club trials nearby.

Quite frankly, you appear to have a chip on your shoulder. You are commenting on how alternative breeds take away time from GSDs in UScA local clubs. I would like to offer another perspective.

Most schutzhund clubs are not rolling in dough and many do not have an extensive membership roster. By having members who have alternative breeds, it assists the club both financially and with man power issues. Both of these things allow for the continuation of clubs. Not to mention that these alternative breeds enter their club's trials, thus supporting not only the local club but the national club as well.

Local clubs have a choice whether to allow alternative breeds in and I assume that some do not. I am unsure of the reasoning behind the severity of your umbrage. After all, if a club chooses to expend time and resources on alternative breeds in exchange for financial and man-power support, not to mention training knowledge, who are we to chastise them?

Don't get me wrong, I am no real fan of UScA. It does strike me of a bit of the "Good Ol' Boy" network and I think their latest manuever to forbid dual membership in the WDA is illogical and not well thought out. However, the alternative breeds are not what is weakening the UScA, it is (in my opinion) a lack of a membership that will stand up and hold its board accountable and in turn, put their time and money where their mouth is and volunteer for the national organization where he/she could be effective in trying to change the status quo.

Same verse same as the first " don't claim to be the keeper of the flame for the German Shepherd breed" if your membership has all breeds in training and competition. There is no logic that makes sense for this except having more money for the national organization, more members and more clubs. That is all about trying to grab power not improving the breed. The change in the bylaws to exclude dual membership is but a symptom of the illness. I speak only for myself. When someone tells me that UScA tolerates other schutzhund breeds and then has a Rottweiler photo on their reply I think that shows the real conflict of interest in the UScA. The cure is simple UScA takes down the "for the German Shepard Dog" and puts up "for the sport of Schutzhund".

I am no fan of the management of USA. I think by their actions they show over and over again their contempt for their membership.

And I think they count on that in a lot of the parts of the country they are the only game in town, and people who are out there doing the sport because they love the sport and love their dog will moan and groan and then forget about it. For most people it's their club they enjoy, not the organization.

Florida has a fair amount of WDA and DVG clubs so even if I was still doing schutzhund I would have options. A lot of people don't.

If you feel that strongly talk to your club about switching to one of the other organizations.

USA will continue to do what they do until it hits them in the pocketbook. Members will be complacent until it effects their training and their trialing.

Like it or not and for the life of me I don't understand it the bylaw change did pass by a majority.

At different times I have been a member of all 3 organizations, sometimes at the same time. My own personal experience is that if I had a problem/question the President and/or Regional Director of DVG and WDA got right back to me with an answer. Might not of been the one I wanted but they were prompt and courteous. I can not say the same about USA.

Vote with your money. Much more effective!