Posted on 02/11/2013 5:14:04 PM PST by llevrok
And here come the dogs !!!
I wish I’d known Westminster was on, or I’d have watched. The herding group is my favorite.
Check out my name. My current GSD is the four-legged love of my life. She has the most beautiful gait, and when she runs across a field at the park, I can’t help but notice that all eyes are watching her. There are other pretty dogs at the park we visit, but none who move like her.
Actually, two clubs were created in hopes of becoming the AKC parent club. However, almost no one registered dogs with those clubs. The main club, with the main registry that still registers the vast majority of Border Collies in the US, refused to cooperate. The AKC recognized the Border Collie and established a 'breed standard' without input from ANY club, and only later adopted one of the small clubs as the 'parent' club.
Wiki actually has a good summary:
"The principal registry for Border Collies in the United States is the American Border Collie Association (ABCA), which is dedicated to the preservation of the traditional working dog. The breed was also recognised in 1994 by the American Kennel Club (AKC) after occupying the AKC's Miscellaneous Class for over fifty years. The recognition was under protest from the majority of Border Collie affiliated groups, such as the United States Border Collie Club, which felt that emphasis on the breed's working skills would be lost under AKC recognition. AKC registrations have gradually increased since recognition and by the year 2004 there were 1,984 new AKC registrations of Border Collies, with a further 2,378 for the year 2005. By contrast, the American Border Collie Association registers approximately 20,000 Border Collies annually. Because of the inherent tension between the goals of breeding to a working standard and to an appearance standard, the American Border Collie Association voted in 2003 that dogs who attained a conformation championship would be delisted from the ABCA registry, regardless of ability. Cross-registration is allowed between the working registries, and AKC accepts dogs registered with ABCA, AIBC, and NASDS; but none of the working registries in the U.S. honor AKC pedigrees."
And some of the male handlers. Saggy polyester suits with trousers too short and jackets too large.
Tonight the best in show judge will be named something like Mrs. Helen Compost-Heape.
A great people watching event.
>Regardless of their origin somewhere back in time, NO ONE buys German Shepherds to work sheep and cattle in the US. NO rancher in the west says, “I need a good cattle dog. Time to call the AKC and find me a German Shepherd!”<
Why would ANY educated person call AKC for a dog??? They do not sell dogs. You’re showing you know nothing about the registry, yet you bash it at every turn.
If you haven’t noticed, I’ve been saying that the German Shepherd can and does still possess the instinct and ability to herd (tend). GSD’s are more “Jack of all trade” dogs. They may not be the “best” (which is subjective), but they still have functionality, despite what some bigoted Freepers want to think.
Those of us who live and work with GSD’s love them. If we wanted a hyper idiot dog, we’d get a BC.
Just keep your blinders on. I am not a particular fan of breeders, however, there are good breeders as well as bad breeders. You are wrong about GSDs. There are several people that use them for herding or working. They do really well.
You need to stop being so closed mind. A dog show such as Westminster is a conformation show to show the best of the breed, the one that closely matches the standards of the breed. If the dog is pretty good.
If you want a hyper idiot Border Collie, call the AKC and find out who registers Border Collies with the AKC recognized club. That way, you have no fear of getting a good working Border Collie.
If you want a GSD bred for bad hips, call the AKC and ask for a recommendation. I’m sure they can point you in the right direction.
If you want a good GSD, call the airlines and ask about shipping charges from Germany...you aren’t likely to get one bred in the USA.
Should read, “hyper idiot savant dog”
I am sorry for your loss. It is hard to loss a best friend.
Actually, there are a number of folks in the U.S. breeding from German lines, especially those competing in schutzhund.
Thank you for this info. I knew that many breed clubs had resisted joining the AKC but did not have the specifics.
Me too GSD Lover. OMG, I bet she is beautiful. My shepherd was one of the original GSD colors, silver with a triple coat. You can see a lot of grays, but hardly any silvers. He was magnificent with a gorgeous face.
The 8 year old female shepherd that showed from what they said held every title she could and this was her last year for showing. Try to find a rerun. You won’t be disappointed. The handler was horrible. Couldn’t control the dog, but you couldn’t miss her beautiful gate. She ran with the wind pretty much like yours does, I would think. How wonderful for you to have her.
And do you not think people who breed AKC registered, German line dogs breed them here??? That said, AKC showline dogs can and do compete quite successfully in many non-conformation events. The Best of Breed winner last night had “every title available”. Do you think there are “multiple” titles that do not require obedience, the ability to track, to run an agility course or to herd sheep???
Sheesh.
UKC was created when different factions of the AKC could not agree.
>If you want a good GSD, call the airlines and ask about shipping charges from Germany...you aren’t likely to get one bred in the USA.<
And if you don’t know what you’re doing, you can spend big bucks for a German pup that is shaped more like a deformed FROG than a dog.
The Germans have some great dogs, but there are dishonest people all over the world, who do not hesitate to sell their culls to the unwary.
One of my dogs father is from Belgian.
That’s exactly why I don’t trust some breeders. However, I am lucky with the two I have. The breeder has been in the business for over 30 years(which may be a plus or not); but has studied lines, genetic makeup; etc. I got exactly what I asked for.
LOL
If the handlers dressed simply, solid colors, slacks and a simple shirt they would not detract from the dogs. Did you see the huge fat woman who’s boobs almost hit her in the face when she ran? I can’t remember what kind of dog she was showing but I can remember her.
>That’s exactly why I don’t trust some breeders.<
Any time I am adding a dog to my family, I want to find a breeder who has a proven background of dedication to his or her breed. I want someone who interviews me as much as I interview her. If someone simply wants to sell me a pup no questions asked, a warning bell goes off.
I research pedigrees, look at the record of the breeder and I have imported dogs to get what I want. My 7 year old GSD comes from active sheep tending ancestors, in addition to dogs trained in Schutzhund. She’s a great dog and I love her dearly. I never bred her, because I leave that to others. It would drive me nuts to find good homes - there are too many who want a “mean” dog or a guard dog who is vicious, not trained.
Thank you.
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