THE KENNEL CLUB
Here in the UK we are fully capable of developing a new system for
our breed, which includes using the Kennel Club for all of our
REGISTRATIONS, This is the core function of the Kennel Club, as they
have stated, “the KC is the ‘Somerset House’ for pedigree dog
registrations”. This will include all matters relating to our dogs
registrations, including export pedigrees, transfers of ownership,
registration of litters, etc. This also provides the opportunity for
those who wish to participate in Kennel Club licensed shows and
events, to do so. When it comes to the knowledge, expertise and
dedication required to make the necessary progress with an
individual breed, especially the GSD breed, the Kennel Club is very
clearly more of a hindrance than a help.
The Kennel Club should now very seriously and urgently consider
divesting much of its involvement in individual breed matters,
directly to the individual National Breed Clubs. It is now very
clear that the Kennel Clubs involvement in many matters outside of
REGISTRATIONS within the Pedigree Dog world is well past its "sell
by date". The time has come for substantial changes, and the GSD
breed can take the lead with those changes. We can also show other
breeds the way forward!
BRITISH GSD CLUB
We would need a National organisation, for the organisational and
administration purposes of our new system. I would suggest a new
organisation “The British GSD Club” – this could be formed by the
current two WUSV Clubs, BAGSD and the GSD League,
amendment: OR EITHER ONE
OF THESE TWO WUSV CLUBS, with
representatives from other major breed clubs throughout the UK,
possibly decided/elected by the GSD breed Council, from those GSD
clubs who wish to be involved.
The main function of the British GSD Club would be to authorise
Regional & Local GSD Events under SV/WUSV rules, to include classes
similar to our British Sieger Event, with the current grading
system. These GSD Events to be run by British GSD Club authorised
GSD Clubs, with geographical and date considerations, as determined
by the British GSD Club.
The British GSD Club would run the British Sieger Event directly. I
make a particular proposal later in respect of the “adult classes”
at our British Sieger Event”, I believe these two classes require
particular attention to significantly improve the attractiveness of
the classes, and to substantially improve the entries in these
classes. The Working Classes have the illustrious title of VA. The
Adult Classes at our British Sieger require something with
equivalent status, more later.
REGIONAL BRANCHES
It may be considered appropriate to establish GSD Clubs separate to
the current Kennel Club Licensed GSD Clubs, to avoid conflict, and
to ensure a clear identity for our new system. Obviously the new GSD
Clubs could be mirror clubs of existing GSD clubs. A possible change
to their name could be done by calling them a BRANCH. For example
the “BC Birmingham Branch” BC being short for British Club or Breed
Council, decided by discussion and developments. Others could become
the “BC West Yorkshire Branch” and the “BC Essex Branch” to name a
few examples.
With the GSD Events in place, it may be decided that members of the
British GSD Club and its Geographical Branches, would wish to
compete for the title of British GSD Champion, this being a separate
title to the Kennel Clubs title of Champion. A system can be readily
devised to enable competitors at British GSD Club Events to gain the
title of BC Champion. Perhaps based on wins in adult classes and
working classes, maybe including a points system which can be
accumulated and when they reach an agreed total, the title of
British Champion is awarded.
Of course if the Kennel Club award Challenge Certificates (CC’s) for
our GSD breed at their own licensed shows, some of our members of
the British GSD Club may wish to compete at the Kennel Club
Championship Shows, which they would be able to do, and they would
also be eligible to gain all of the Kennel Clubs awards, including
the title of KC Champion.
ACCREDITED GSD SCHEME
The British GSD Club would develop our GSD Breed Survey as a
cornerstone of "accrediting our GSD for breeding" see “Accredited
GSD
Scheme”
article - and ensure that minimum requirements are met for ALL
health Screening Tests, and for entry into our BC Events, such as
Micro-chipping and DNA Parentage Testing.
I feel sure that we can develop our "British Breed Survey" at a
reasonable and acceptable pace, with a very carefully considered
content commensurate with ensuring there is a strong desire for the
majority of GSD Owners and particularly GSD breeders to participate
and achieve a British Breed Survey pass grade. I would also strongly
advise taking great care and patience when considering the
introduction of any changes to the survey.
I do not advocate the German system for the UK; I do not consider
the Schutzhund Test, which includes a protection phase, will be
universally accepted here in the UK. For the same reason I do not
want to see the ‘protection’ element included in our British Breed
Survey.
This does not exclude anyone participating in Schutzhund as a sport,
or gaining schutzhund qualifications as part of the process of
gaining SV breeding certification. Indeed schutzhund qualification
would be required to qualify for entry into the Working Classes at
all British GSD Club Events.
BRITISH CHAMPION
It is my opinion that many exhibitors at the "British GSD Club" GSD
Events, would wish to compete for the title of "British Champion",
this being an altogether separate title to the Kennel Clubs title of
Champion. A system can be readily devised to enable competitors at
British GSD Club Events to gain the title of "British Champion".
Perhaps based on wins in adult classes and working classes, maybe
including a points system which can be accumulated and when they
reach an agreed total, the title of British Champion is awarded.
I would suggest at
Regional GSD Events, 10 points for a 1st place, 6 points for a 2nd
place, 3 points for a 3rd place, and to gain the title of "British
Champion" would require a total of 50 points.
Of course IF the Kennel Club award Challenge Certificates
(CC’s) for our GSD breed at KC licensed shows, some of our members
of the British GSD Club may wish to compete at the Kennel Club
Championship Shows, which they would be able to do, and they would
also be eligible to gain all of the Kennel Clubs awards, including
the title of KC Champion.
I strongly advocate the continuing inclusion of the Adult Classes in
our British Sieger and Regional Events; however I do think we should
develop a unique and significant award for this class at our “Sieger
Event”. Perhaps give the Judge the power to award the title of
“British Champion” to those exhibits the Judge considers fully
deserve the title, 'up to' the first FOUR places in the class. This would substantially increase entries, and
would give a huge uplift to the status of the adult classes at our
British Sieger Event, which is clearly necessary. This should be
introduced in the British Sieger 2010.
I would also consider it very appropriate to award the title of
"British Champion" to the GSD's that are awarded the grade of VA in
the British Sieger Working Classes, and possibly 'up to' the first
FOUR places in this class. This should also be introduced
in the British Sieger 2010.
We should not under estimate the interest and excitement that would
be generated by the opportunity of gaining the title of "British
Champion" at our "British Sieger Event", not only for British
exhibitors, but also for overseas exhibitors. Such an innovation for
our Sieger Event would substantially increase the entries year on
year. Our GSD exhibitors want and need opportunities to gain
illustrious awards and recognition for their outstanding dogs, such
opportunities are at the very heart of exhibiting, and we
desperately need to put the "heart" back into our sport.
DYNAMIC AND PROGRESSIVE SYSTEM
I don’t pretend to have all the answers to all of our breeds’
problems here within the UK. No one individual ever will, however
our GSD breed here within the UK urgently requires a huge injection
of independence, attractiveness, appeal, camaraderie, excitement,
challenges, and continuous meaningful and measureable progress.
I am sure other important elements will be identified for inclusion
in these proposals, because that is the nature of developing a new,
dynamic and progressive system for our GSD breed.
Our breed, here within Great Britain, has been presented with a
challenge by the Kennel Club. We should rise to that challenge, and
recognise the serious restrictions the Kennel Club have placed on
our breeds’ progress, by refusing to accept many requests and
suggestions from our breed representatives over many years.
Especially regarding compulsory health screening. We can now be free
of these shackles, and actually make the progress that many of us
have only dreamed of, a reality. We must not miss this genuine
opportunity; it would be a tragedy for our wonderful breed.
I feel sure that we will be given all the help, advice and support
we need, from the many talented and dedicated people we have within
our breed, and from the SV/WUSV, and from many others.
CAN WE DO IT? - YES WE CAN!
I have based my proposals mainly on the Dutch System and discussions
I have had with Peter Van Oirschot over several years, and
discussions I have had with numerous other people involved in our
GSD breed both here in the UK and overseas.
The GSD Partnership should invite Peter Van Oirschot over from
Holland to explain his countries system.
Peter van Oirschot is an SV Judge and he also speaks excellent
English.
Read his excellent article - DETAILS BELOW
Unfortunately Peter passed away on the 5th January 2010
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+44 (0)1905 830900 -
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