Stateline Schutzhund Club in Harvard, IL is hosting a Breed Survey (and conformation show, if that's of interest) on July 12 & 13 with a SV judge who in my opinion, is very fair with all dogs, including working lines. So if you are in this general area and are looking to complete a Breed Survey and/or Show Rating under a fair judge, you might want to check it out.

Here is the link (scroll down past the Helper Certification event info) http://www.statelineworkingdogs.com/Events.html

Gary and I have shown under Herr Dieter Oeser two times before. We have watched him give KKL1 ratings to working lines (where deserved) and also the highest possible show rating depending on the class (where deserved). He also is very fair with the show lines meaning you get what you earn and deserve regardless of who the breeder or owner is, who the parent dogs are, etc.

He places high emphasis on size (i.e. he is concerned about the ever larger dogs, and is careful with his measuring stick). He places emphasis on movement - he likes to see effortless, ground covering gaiting - fast and smooth. Of course there is lots to the breed standard, but even among the black and reds he will reward quality movement over other characteristics such as color, etc.

One of my friends who has both working and showlines brought along her then untitled working line male for the untitled class - just to give a Junior Handler friend of ours the opportunity to gain more handling experience. Much to my friend's happiness, she got an SG show rating (the highest available for an untitled male) and the judge commented that with titles, he would have considered a V rating.

I personally think the Breed Survey results are more important than the show rating, but as long as it's required for those following the SV guidelines, might as well have a shot at the hightest ratings if it's earned. And I'm NOT saying that this judge WuzGifting anyone - that was not the case. Some "big names" walked away disappointed.

So...for whatever that's worth!!

Beth

Thanks!

It might be of value to start compiling a list of 'working-friendly' judges that will give dog's that aren't black & red a fair glance.

I'd like to add Wilfred Scheld as the first name on the list.

He did a club show for us a few years ago. We spent the afternoon watching Leerburgs herding videos. We turned off the music and Herr Scheld narrated the tape -- predicting what each dog would do. (He had attended that trial)

He has an encyclopedic knowledge of working lines and how they influence each other.

The other list of working-unfriendlies would be of use also.

This was my Ratz von der Lindenhalle Sch 3 Kk 1. He was a medium size dog and was the best I ever had. He did suffer fools gladly, which included me.
http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/gsd/pedigree/129591.html

I agree with you on the potential value of a judge list. I think we should combine that with an event list somehow - combining the upcoming events AND working fair judges to result in a list of events working people might consider for the season.

(and in addition to working line dogs, I would add show line dogs that deserve a fair shake - dogs that DO have working ability combined with other positive characteristics where the colors, etc. aren't the highest priority for the judge)

Should we start a thread under this Schutzhund event section for "Fair Breed Surveys, Trials, and Ring Ratings" or something like that??

Beth

 Quote: Charlie Snyder

Thanks!

It might be of value to start compiling a list of 'working-friendly' judges that will give dog's that aren't black & red a fair glance.

I'd like to add Wilfred Scheld as the first name on the list.

He did a club show for us a few years ago. We spent the afternoon watching Leerburgs herding videos. We turned off the music and Herr Scheld narrated the tape -- predicting what each dog would do. (He had attended that trial)

He has an encyclopedic knowledge of working lines and how they influence each other.

The other list of working-unfriendlies would be of use also.

Good topic Beth. A list of judges/events to reference would be great.

I had heard Wilfred Scheld was a "working-friendly" judge -- great to know Dieter Oeser is too.

I'll be looking to get a breed survey done after we get our SchH1 hopefully this Fall.

Katie