So new rules for exhibiting the breed ...
"Ring procedure:
1. Dogs must be exhibited on a loose lead only and free standing. No stacking of dogs allowed. They must be capable of standing comfortably and calmly, freely and unsupported in any way, in structural balance, whilst both rear pasterns are vertical.
2. Judges must not tolerate double handling and must enforce the escalation procedure if warnings are ignored;
3. Dogs exhibiting clear signs of stress are to be dismissed from the ring by the judge if the handler is not prepared to withdraw their dog.
And:
1. Dogs must be exhibited in as natural a manner as possible without any exaggeration or manipulation to deceive;
2. Judges must examine dogs in accordance with KC custom and practice;
3. Judges must ask handlers to move dogs ‘out and back’ in order that front and rear assemblies can be assessed properly. Dogs are to be moved individually in this fashion, never in pairs or groups;
4. Judges must ask exhibitors to move their dog around the ring in accordance with KC custom and practice. There is to be no fast running or use of extended leads. Movement must be on a loose lead and at a walk or trot;
5. Judges must select placed dogs in accordance with how all other large pastoral breeds are judged. There are to be no ‘run offs’ between dogs with handlers running fast."
This statement was made on the 28/7/16 ... And when does this come in force? .. well 1/8/16. That gives us plenty of time to re train our dogs doesn't it!
Ok a lot of it makes sense,and most of it we do, but some of it is absolute bullshit! A GSD is not a dog that stands naturally with both rear pasterns vertical .. well not often anyway! Our dogs have been trained to stack .. or be placed in a stance, re training will take time. Luckily for me my dogs will move and stand on a loose lead, I train that so I can exhibit at local shows in small ring with shiny floor so that will be an advantage to me and others like me. A lot of dogs, including our Nico who have been solely trained for the big ring will now sadly have to be retired from showing. Very sad!
As showing is my hobby I hope for clarification of exactly what the KC want us do. (as there is a lot of confusion and different interpretations of this written word) I personally will re train and continue to show at KC shows. But there is already talk of a break and a lot in the breed will move forward with GSD rallys and unlicensed breed events. What a bloody disaster!!!
