Held in Braunschweig,
situated in Northern Germany, some 40 miles (60 km east of Hannover,
this is the first time the Sieger Show has been held here.
Braunschweig is a recently modernized city with a very attractive
layout and old town.
Braunschweig, the city
of Henry the Lion, is the biggest city in the south-eastern part of
Lower Saxony. It is characterised by an appealing and exciting blend
of the past and the present, tradition and the future.
There was some difficulty with available hotel accommodation, with
many visitors staying in hotels some distance from the venue. Some
out of choice, to exercise and accommodate their dogs in a rural
surrounding, others because most 3 and 4 star hotels within
Braunschweig were fully booked early in the year.
Let this serve as a strong recommendation for the many thousands
planning to attend next year’s Sieger Show at Aachen, to reserve
their Hotel accommodation as early as possible. The hotels in Aachen
are also very likely to be more expensive than the usual venues for
the Sieger Show, so make sure you budget accordingly. It appears
their prices rise steeply when a major event is held at the
Equestrian Centre.
The Braunschweig Sieger Show 2007 was held in the Eintracht-Stadion,
a superb venue for this hugely popular World Sieger Event, far more
suitable than the venue for 2006, Niederrheinstadion Oberhausen, and
very close to the excellent venue at Ulm, near Stuttgart. I fully
appreciate the difficulties the SV have in finding suitable venues
each year, and the tremendous organisation that goes into the
planning and staging of this enormous event. We should all
appreciate and thank everybody involved who work so hard to put this
fabulous event on for us, year on year. Long may it continue, and
long may we enjoy continuous improvements in all aspects of this
vitally important event for the GSD.
The rings for the two Junior (12 to 18 months) classes (male &
female) and the two Yearling classes (18 to 24 months) classes (male
& female) were a short and pleasant walk from the main stadium,
spacious well sized rings, with valuable access around all sides,
which is of huge benefit to spectators and the numerous double
handlers. It was notable how improved the facilities were for double
handling, a very important part of exhibiting and presenting the
German Shepherd Dog to its best advantage.
Inside the main stadium the seating was closer to the dogs than the
usual stadiums at other Sieger Show venues. This considerably
improved the experience for the spectators, and reduced the need for
binoculars. It also offered some wonderful vantage points around the
stadium to see all the famous dogs and their progeny, and the first
20 of the younger classes when they were paraded in the main stadium
around noon on the Sunday. This was hugely appreciated by the
spectators and exhibitors, many leaving the show feeling they had
gained more from this show, than many previous Sieger Shows.
I sincerely hope the SV make plans to hold this event again in
Braunschweig in the near future, as well as Ulm, another of my
favourite venues.
There was a variety of facilities for various foods and drinks,
Bratwurst, western steaks (marinated pork steaks) especially, and
copious supplies of fabulous German beer, all of which was certainly
enjoyed by many Brits. Many stalls selling a variety of dog-related
products were located around the stadium.
The usual social gatherings took place, especially amongst friends
and acquaintances from different countries. It is a valuable aspect
of the Sieger Show to meet up with people and discuss the GSD world,
its ups and downs, the speculation and the rumours, the tips for
success, the disappointments, and the likely winners and placings
for each class, etc. etc. This is a most enjoyable part of this
great show and it provides many an insight into a person’s knowledge
and perception of the German show scene. It always surprises me how
many people fail to grasp the German Show System, and that the
judging for this spectacular event starts back in April each year.
It would be useful for the GSD League, the progressive WUSV Breed
Club here in the UK, to hold seminars on the German breed & show
system. Other WUSV clubs in various countries could do the same, I
am sure they would be well attended and appreciated by all.
The final groups of the Working Classes (over 2 years) are judged in
the main stadium on the Sunday afternoon. Of necessity, because of
the very large entry, all the classes are placed in groups of
approximately 50 to 60, and to cater for the larger younger classes,
there can be as many as four groups, as for example in the young
female class. It is quite normal when a group has been judged, for
several from the front of a lower group to be moved up to compete in
the next highest group.
The weather forecast suggested the show would have some sunshine,
cloud, some showers and rain, over the 3 days. Whereas the weather
for most of the show was very good; with some cloud and heavy rain
on Friday, on the Sunday the weather was almost perfect for the dogs
and spectators alike. The temperatures were quite pleasant during
the three days. Considering this show was being held in Northern
Germany, which has weather similar to the UK, many feared it could
rain, and dampen their pleasure. I am sure most people had packed
clothes suitable for their best and the worst expectations.
Once again I have compiled the ‘MAIN RESULTS’, on my website
www.videxgsd.com, I hope you find these useful. It also means
you can easily see all the major winners, and the sire and dam of
each one, at a glance, which also highlights those males producing
the best youngsters at the show.
The 2007 Sieger Show brought a change in the Judges for the adult
working class females, Bernhard Norda of the Klostermoor
kennel, and the judge for adult working class males being
Reinhardt Meyer of the vom Bergmannshof kennel, Reinhardt
is the newly elected National Breed Warden of the SV.
Bernhard Norda is a well known SV judge. Bernhard has a quiet and
pleasant manner, and his ability and experience while judging the
Working Class females was a pleasure to watch.
Reinhardt Meyer, with his election to National Breed Warden of the
SV, in December 2006, brought many questions and expectations as to
how he would judge the Working dog males, and how he would implement
some of his declared plans and views on our breed. Reinhardt is well
known for his strongly held views regarding our breed’s future
direction; he has a steely determination which will ruffle many
feathers in the SV hierarchy, and amongst his fellow Judges, and
Körmeisters. I will refer to this later.
The Ursus bloodlines figured prominently throughout the classes;
however it is clear that other bloodlines are now emerging, and
combining very well with the many qualities Ursus gave our breed. It
should always be remembered that the strength and substance that Ursus gave, and which continues through many of his sons and
daughters, can combine very well to the benefit of the current medium sized males with
medium strength and substance. The successful kennels in our breed
know the value of a producing female line, and the careful
consideration that must be given when looking for suitable dogs to
complement their female.
One of the prominent bloodlines in 2006 was that of Dux della
Valcuvia. His son Quantum von Arminius VA2 and the
Quantum son, Zamp vom Thermodos making VA1 & Sieger,
continues to produce very well. Zamp had an outstanding progeny
group. The very best group I have seen in all my visits to the
Sieger Show. For me it topped his group of 2006. This bloodline is
without doubt going to play a major role in the future development
of our breed.
In my previous “Impressions” I stated the value of top producing
females in a Stud dogs pedigree, and the Dux, Quantum, Zamp
bloodline emphatically proves this point. Couple these top producing
females with outstanding producing Sires and you can see the
important sire line that has emerged. This is exactly what makes
these bloodlines so valuable to our breed. Of course they will be
combined with other lines, and continue to make a positive
contribution to our breed.
There was the usual large number of dogs excused at this year’s
Sieger Show. I despair at this annual exodus. It is an insult to the
Judges, and should be more tightly controlled. I am aware, from
emails received, that many exhibitors felt their dog has been
insulted by the Judge, with an unworthy call out place given to
their dog, and this is why they withdrew their dog. My response is
simply this, you have entered your dog for the Judges opinion, when
you get it, just accept it. I am always surprised at the apparent
acceptance by the Judges of the Sieger Show, of these insulting
levels of withdrawals.
The inclusion and placement of some VERY BIG males in this class,
and other classes, including some VA males and females, and other
Adult females, in this year’s Sieger Show, raises fundamental
questions as to the integrity of the German Körung system. To say it
LACKS integrity is certainly not an inaccurate statement.
The SV Körung requires all Class 1 males being measured at 65 cms or
less at their withers. Of course a male over 65cms up to 66cms can
only receive a class 2 Körung, and according to the SV rules and
regulations, EVERY MALE OVER 66cms CANNOT BE AWARDED A KORUNG and
EVERY FEMALE OVER 61cms CANNOT BE AWARDED A KORUNG. The SV rules
further state there is NO appeal against a Körmeister’s decision in
this matter, even if he measures a 65cms or 66cms male at a higher
measurement, and consequently he denies the male a Körung. Such
rules are unreasonable in our sport. NO man is an island unto
himself, and absolute power corrupts.
Many believe that Herr Reinhardt Meyer is going to seriously tackle
many challenges facing our breed, particularly the size issue, the
jury is out. Clearly this must be an immense task for Reinhardt, as
this year there were some VERY BIG males in his VA group and the
rest of his class. (The Italian Sieger results will also
influence many people with regards to any serious assault on the
size problem – with Nando making Sieger)
I certainly have more to say on the issue of size. However do not
think that I dislike big dogs - my clear position is that I
simply want our breed size standard raised to a genuinely realistic
one. The dishonest practices regarding measuring that prevail in
Germany, and elsewhere, must end; it is simply no longer acceptable
or tolerable.
Many German dogs winning top honours are being used extensively at
stud, and often sold abroad. I believe that many of these dogs have
completely false height to wither measurements in their Körung,
which if the measurement was accurate, under the SV existing rules &
regulations would STOP such dogs receiving a Breed Survey (Körung)
pass grade. Such a loss to our breed would be a tragedy. In the past
many well oversize males, including many Siegers and VA’s, have been
hugely beneficial to our breed’s progress. Can you imagine our breed
today without some of those great (big) males? SV rules &
regulations should not exclude such males from our breeding pool,
and their inclusion should not rest on the breaking of such rules
and regulations, this is why I call for changes.
It has been reported to me that many German Import males, with Class
1 Körung, were entered in this year’s Canadian Sieger Show, and I
was informed that the German SV Judge measured these males, and
threw them out of the adult class, for being oversize. I am also
informed that many of the incensed owners of these males are
considering legal action against the SV, for providing their
Korung’s, under their rules and regulations, with obvious and very
serious inaccuracies. I would like to receive more information about
this occurrence and any similar. There can be no doubt that changes
have to be made in our breed standard relating to the size of our
GSD, and to the Rules and Regulations connected to measuring dogs.
Our current breed standard states the ideal size for a male is 62.5
cms - what a joke - how many males do you see of this size among the
thousands at the Sieger Show? It then goes on to allow 2.5 cms
either side of this ideal. Can you even imagine a male of 60 cms; I
would collapse in hysterics if I ever saw one. And if I ever bred
one I would be very concerned about its genetic makeup. Can you
imagine taking a male of less than 62.5 cms into a show ring, or
using such a male in your breeding programme? We need to get real, I
have been in this breed for well over 30 years, and I am a
Championship Show Judge and a reasonably successful breeder. I
despair at our breed standard regarding height to withers, and I am
angry at the insults to my intelligence that I am forced to tolerate
on a continuing basis. At many GSD Shows, throughout the World, when
I am told dogs have a Körung class 1 from Germany, and then when I
look at them, and even having measured some of them, they are higher
than 66 cms, and many go up to 70 cms.
It is way beyond time that the SV stop refusing a Körung based on
oversize, and change the Breed Standard on size. I would suggest
that 65 cms is the ideal size for a male, and we should allow 2.5
cms either side of this for a Class 1 Körung. Outside of this range
should result in a Class 2 Körung, and an appeal should be allowed
if the owner disagrees with the measurements taken by the Körmeister.
One thing I am absolutely certain about, well over 95% of males in
the Show rings around the World, fall within my suggested
measurements. With a very large portion within the upper half.
We have a breed standard for size, which is considered sacrosanct,
“cast in stone”, by the SV, the SV Judges and Körmeisters. Then this
system allows these very people to persist in inaccurate measuring,
particularly in the Körung, on a very selective basis. If anyone
thinks my questioning of a Körmeister’s ability to measure both
accurately and honestly is wrong, and we do not need an appeal
system, then let the perfect Körmeisters step forward, please.
If the SV doubts the size of the problem, or in any way wishes to
challenge my comments and assertions, I would respectfully request
that they organise the independent measuring of the first 20 dogs in
ALL classes at the Sieger Show 2008, in Aachen. My suggestion is NOT
intended to replace the judge’s responsibilities in any way
whatsoever; it is intended to provide independent and factual
information of the size of each of these exhibits. The measurement
information to be published in the SV Zeitung at the earliest
opportunity. Such open and transparent checks on easily obtained
information about the top dogs at the Sieger Show, on an annual
basis, would be invaluable to our breed’s future progress. Surely
this is obvious to all.
I am not forgetting for one moment that this Sieger Show is the
“German Sieger Show”. However the SV are fully aware of the
Worldwide responsibility they hold for our breed, and the Worldwide
impact this Sieger Show has. Not forgetting the SV Worldwide power
and influence through the WUSV.
I firmly believe that if the SV do not introduce changes to the
Breed Standard regarding size, and changes in their Rules and
Regulations regarding size, especially with regard to their Körung,
they will in future be faced with litigation cases from within
Germany and from around the World. They should be aware that we live
in ever increasing litigious times, as well as very easy and
comprehensive global communications. The current situation in
unsustainable, the challenge is to formulate changes which are
sustainable and will encourage transparent honesty. Perhaps legal
action may be directed at the Körmeisters who have such absolute
power regarding the Körung, and particularly measuring the size of
the dogs.
Note Körung Rule:
2.5.4 The decision of the
acting Körmeister is final. An objection against it is not
permitted.
Note Körung Rule:
6.4
Measurements and weights
The measurements for weight, depth of chest and chest diameter can
be taken by the Körmeister or his authorized helper or Körung
manager; the withers measurements are taken by the Körmeister.
Note Körung Rule:
7.5 Unsuitability for the Körung b)
Oversize or undersize of more than 1 cm;
Note Körung Rule:
7.7.3 The breed survey can
end, become invalid, through the process of revocation. This comes
about through a recommendation by a Körmeister or conformation judge
to the Köramt (survey office at HQ). A “hold” can be put on the
process of recording the survey results for whatever time is
necessary to iron out any possible problems.
The Sieger Judges in 2008, and all SV judges, should measure
EVERY DOG, that is shown in Germany, and where they are oversize
– they should implement
Körung Rule:
7.7.3
immediately – if they cannot do this, then at least be honest about
the ACTUAL SIZE PREVALENT in our breed, and adjust the breed
standard accordingly. Ostrich behaviour is unacceptable. The size
problem is NOT reducing, if anything it is growing, we need to face
up to reality, and implement new breed standard height measurements
urgently. I totally refute the argument that if the breed standard
height is raised, our breed will get even bigger. This is an
argument put forward by those that wish to retain the present
dishonest and corrupt system. The way to absolutely ensure this
does NOT happen is very simple, Judges and Körmeister’s measure
honestly and very strictly, with absolutely NO EXCEPTIONS,
not even for friends or other Judges or Körmeister’s, or any other
connections. The SV must then implement a Rule to remove a Judge or
Körmeister from office if they measure any dog dishonestly. Perhaps
the famous German “efficiency with quality” can be illustrated by
the SV in this important matter.
Perhaps the SV Judge of the Canadian Sieger Show 2007 – had the
courage (sic) to throw oversize dogs out of the class, but not
enough to implement
Körung Rule:
7.7.3 above. Then again
perhaps he did???
Again I make no apologies for writing about these very serious
issues here in my IMPRESSIONS. The Sieger Show is the most
globally important and globally influential German Shepherd Show. We
must highlight all the most important issues affecting the breed’s
present and future for open debate, so that they may be taken
seriously by the powerful and influential German Shepherd
organisations, especially those within Germany- the Homeland.
I now look forward to next years Sieger Show to be held in
Aachen, near Cologne (Koln), in North West Germany. It is
a prosperous City, with very good, albeit expensive Hotels, many 3
and 4 star Hotels charging around £10 (150 Euros) per night, often
with breakfast extra. So please book your Hotels early if you do not
want to be disappointed. Holland and Belgium are very close to the
venue, and if you are prepared to travel, say up to 25 miles, you
will be able to book into some reasonably priced Hotels. Rose &
Harry Emmett had once again organised their excellent Sieger Trip to
this year’s Show, and I understand they will be organising it again
for next year and hopefully for many years to come. Because of the
closeness of the venue, Aachen, to Dover –Calais, some 3 hours drive
from Calais, the coach trip will be going straight to the Hotel in
Aachen. It is very well supported and appreciated by all - the
atmosphere on their trips is excellent. Because they are cutting out
the usual French overnight stay, the trip should be of shorter
duration. For those of you who have never been to a Sieger Show, or
have not been for some years, make up your mind to go in 2008.
God willing I will see you there.
David Payne – Videx GSD
www.videxgsd.com
Copyright
©
– David Payne
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+44 (0)1905 830900 -
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