Dlanigervon

Thanks Guys, I'll pass this info on and also keep a record for myself, you never know when you might need it and it certainly doesn't do any harm to have a few solutions in the event one doesn't work. Once again many thanks.

A friend of mine asked me this, He has a Golden Lab and since the recent rains flys have abounded and are biting his ears which are now bleeding, causing more bites. My question is, "Does anyone know of a solution which may be applied to ward of the flies?".

Way to go SwaY, great updates especially for those of us who couldn't make it, but still have an interest. Your'e a legend

Why is it not permisible to double handle a dog in tha Allbreeds Ring? Isn't the object of the show to present your dog to it's full potential? Why can't a dogs name be called to bring them to full alert? If a handler in the ring doesn't have a double handler, isn't that their problem? There are so many questions, but the answer is still the same, WHY NOT? And who controls or is in control of, WHY NOT?

Thank god you questioned the first opinion and sought further answers! Seem to be hearing a few similar stories. Did you contact the first vet and inform them of the dogs actual score? I certainly did and in no uncertain terms, somehow now we are not on good terms, but that's his worry. However I sincerely hope he learned a valuable lesson from it and won't be so hasty with the next unfortunate dog who just happens to be lame.

Many thanks for the congrats guys, and to you Greg for the post, as his breeder you have every right to accept the accolades as I do, what Greg didn't inform you about is that this challenge bought up 240 points and the final (2) points of the (25) needed for his title after turning 12 months of age. Thanks Greg for allowing me to pick and purchase this beautiful boy. On a very sombre note, this boy would not be here if I had listened to a vet who claimed that at 10-1/2 months of age he had very severe conformation problems, very severe HD and should be put down there and then because of the pain he was in. (He had gone lame). On Gregs advice we took him to another well known GSD specialist vet who xrayed him and declared that his hips and elbows where fine and that he was suffering from Panoestitis. (Growing pains) After he turned 12 months we had his hip and elbows scored - The result - Hips "A" (1-1) Elbows - "Z" (0-0). My thanks to a breeder who really cared. To any dog owner and breeder who reads this: NEVER EVER TRUST THAT FIRST OPINION, (especially in young dogs) WHEN A VET SAYS -"WE HAVE TO PUT HIM DOWN". NEVER. Best wishes. Reg

hi Pockets, I was not commenting on GSD specialty, there an exhibitor has the advantage of specialty judges, with critiues that are worthwhile, which if you take notice of them, will help you to improve your standard of breeding, thus the standard of the overall breed, to which I see, you agree. The discussion was about the less popular breed specialty shows, and the lack of specialty judges to judge them, also the sportsmanship and etiquitte exhibited by the exhibitors. I cannot personally see the sense in attending a specialty show (say GSDs) and be judged by a Terrier Judge, to me it just doesn't make sense, especially when there are very low entries and on most occassions the result is known before you even attend. UNLESS it is for a social day out and a catchup with friends and hang the results. Now regardless of who the judge may be, and or their decission, you or any other exhibitor does not have the right to leave the ring in a huff before the judge has given his/her critique. For God's sake you knew who the judge was before tou entered the show, accept it. If you do not accept his/her ruling and leave, this only proves a very poor refelection on the exhibitors character and their sportsmanship. I will also bet that, that exhibitor will be the first and loudest to complain. Ps. I also show GSDs both specialty and allbreeds and do very well in both rings with the same dogs. Pss. Isn't a GSD, Gods gift to man?. Now that will burr some people up. Have fun all.

Ok, my error, however if you enter a speciality show, why don't you have specialty judges? This is a very poor refelection on the management/committee of your breed club. If a specialty judge cannot be obtained, what's the point of having a specialty show? If they are not specialty judges their critique is not worth the paper it's written on so why would any exibitor 1-2-3 etc bother to stick around for a critique that is of no value. May as well just stick to all breeds until the club can get it's act together. Not all clubs have the luxury of money or large memberships? Our club usually sub-contracts from one of the other shows on the same weekend as we cannot afford to cover the costs of a judge on our own. With a rare breed, too, where everyone knows everyone, there is a real risk of people not entering if a certain judge is booked, because the winner is often evident before the show OR several exhibits are ineligible because of stud dogs etc. That's even more reason to stick to All Breeds, there at least you stand a chance and the result is not always known unless you continue to come up against a magnificient speciem of a dog. The specialty option is in my opinion a NO BRAINER, a complete WASTE OF TIME, and a WASTE OF MONEY & EFFORT.

[ You are showing under a speciality judge and you have paid for his/her critique. I am under the Actually many breed shows dont have specialist judges. Ok, my error, however if you enter a speciality show, why don't you have specialty judges? This is a very poor refelection on the management/committee of your breed club. If a specialty judge cannot be obtained, what's the point of having a specialty show? If they are not specialty judges their critique is not worth the paper it's written on so why would any exibitor 1-2-3 etc bother to stick around for a critique that is of no value. May as well just stick to all breeds until the club can get it's act together.

So you're looking at specialty, you are graded 3 out of 3 and you don't like the position, STIFF! You do not have the right to leave the ring. You are showing under a speciality judge and you have paid for his/her critique. I am under the opinion that showing specialty is to improve the breed, iron out the faults of your dog and endeavour to enhance his/her qualities for future breeding and or improve the quality of your kennel. To leave is bad sportsmanship which is a very poor refelection on your character as a sportsman/breeder etc. Nothing in life will always go plan, take the critique and build on it. The next critique you receive will probably be better & could be 2 out of 3, however it will still list the same faults. Grow up, take your medicine, and start to do something about it in the next generation, otherwise stay in Allbreeds.