A novice dog owner buys a very promising young puppy. She listens to and actually follows the breeder’s advice. She searches relentlessly for the handler who will do her dog justice.
Miraculously, she finds one – and he agrees to handle at the Canadian National.
She goes to the show with the now young adult and shows under a judge who actually (gasp!) judges the dogs. She goes Winners Dog, Best of Winners and then Select.
Imagine that!
In essence, that is the story of Mar Haven’s Next In Line Reno and his owner, Sharon Gabrielson.
Sharon writes:

“I have always had a passion for the breed. I purchased my first German Shepherd in 1990 for my family as a pet. Reviewing her pedigree we realized she was from show lines. . .
After retiring from the Department of Corrections, I began to venture toward the conformation ring with my daughter, Kelly, who was eager to show. While attending a show, we happened to be sitting next to Sandi Card, who provided a great deal of information regarding conformation. Later, Kelly and I decided to give this a try. During a show, Kent Boyles approached us. Kent struck up a conversation and was helpful and informative as we were clearly new to this group. Kent’s knowledge of the German Shepherd breed is unsurpassed.

“After retiring, I became more interested and committed to conformation showing. Sandi, who had now been my mentor in the show world for the past 15 years, introduced me to Carolyn Martello. Sandy was aware of what I was looking for and Carolyn took special care in selecting Reno. Carolyn was patient and understood what I was in search of, as she also understood I was new to the conformation ring. Reno is much more than a good conformation dog. He has a mind and temperament to die for. Thank you, Frank and Carolyn, for this wonderful animal.”

For us, the highlight of Sharon’s story is this: Sharon had a rough time before finding the right handler. At one point, she was told that the dog wasn't very good. That it would take a lot of money and a long time to finish him – if at all.
But rather than believe them, and complain that she was sold a dud, Sharon went to the breeder. She got sound advice and followed it.
Kent Boyles then evaluated the dog and told her he would make an opening in three months. He did just that. Reno won, and the rest is History. Or rather, the rest is 2008 Canadian National WD/BOW and Select Am CH Mar Haven’s Next In Line Reno OFA H/E.
It’s too bad that some spectators and exhibitors can’t be happy for someone else – particularly for someone so new to the conformation ring, experiencing a prestigious win this early. It's too bad that some cannot see the fundamental anomaly in this. It does not happen often that a novice dog owner listens to a breeder, finds the right handler - who then agrees to show the dog - and wins at a National Specialty.
More people like Sharon will take the fancy much farther than all that nastiness.
We say, “Congratulations Sharon. May there be many more in your future.”

I went to a dog show last weekend and won both days. It stunk.

The dog in question needs two singles to finish. He also happens to be the grandson of my very firsy 'show-quality' bitch. That lovely little girl hated conformation, so we went to work instead. She earned her American and Canadian CDs, a CDX, an HIC and is OFA'd both ends. Naturally, as I was driving home Sunday, my thoughts turned to her, and how much fun we had earning those titles.

For me, the main difference between conformation and obedience (or any performance title for that matter) is the relationship between my dog and I. At last weekend's shows, I handed my dog to a someone and watched from the outside. There is no control over what happens from outside the conformation ring. (Of course, some could argue that there really is no control from inside that ring either.) But at least in obedience, it was me and my dog. We were competing against only ourselves, trying to best our previous scores or garner the final leg on an elusive title. When we lost, we didn't really care because we had fun.

We had fun winning too. And there is comraderie around the obedience ring. Perfect strangers are often elated when you finish a title. One judge was literally moved to tears of joy after my old girl and I successfully completed our CDX in Maine many years ago. These people truly appreciate the effort it takes to do this work. They implicitly understand the dedication and the drive.

Now, I am NOT saying that there isn't work involved in showing in conformation. I also know first-hand how hard that is. But in conformation, I'm finding people who really aren't so thrilled when someone wins other than them. I'm finding gossip, bad manners and just plain nastiness. I'm finding handlers who yell at owners, often making them cry. And I see way too many dogs who look as though they would rather be at the vet than in that ring.

That is just not fun. Not for me, definitely not for the people getting yelled at, and it can't be fun for those dogs.

So here I sit at a crossroads. Eight years of paying serious attention to conformation, finished champions, futurity and maturity wins, a RFB, and a nearly complete ROM on my first homebred bitch. I am on the brink of doing something really special. I can feel it. So why am I so miserable?

On the drive out of the showgrounds on Sunday, I spotted a dozen or so people in a nearby field with their dogs, blinds and other Schutzhund equipment set up. The people were laughing. The dogs were LOVING the work. I wanted to pull in, but I was afraid they would laugh at my American stock.

On the long drive home, I thought about my girl. In October, she took Best Veteran in obedience with a score of 191.5 (out of 200). She will be 12 on Spetember 18 and we will very likely be back out again this year. You see, she loves it. And I feel so good having fun with my dogs.

Conformation entries are down and specialty clubs are folding. I wonder why?

Send me a note with your opinion to gsdbydesign@aol.com.

Note: The German Shepherd by Design is in no manner expressing that all handlers yell at their clients.

We asked and - boy - did you ever answer!

Thank you so much to all the exhibitors and fanciers who came forward to help us feature more than just conformation on gsdbydesign.com. This month
(February), you'll find a fantastic feature on Lori Nickeson, whose wins in all performance arenas are stellar. And thanks to contributing writer Anita Rabidou-Milligan,
you will also see 12 months of the versatile GSD.  We began last month with her article on Retter, a search and rescue dog from Georgia. This month, her series
continues with Ike, a herding and SchH dog whose titles are too numerous to list here.

On our website, 2008 will be a celebration of the breed that can truly do it all. If you have an idea for an article, please email us at gsdbydesign@aol.com. 

We hope you like what you see. And if you want more, let us know what to get you and where to find it.

Becky T. Dickson
Editor

Well it's certainly been too long since I've gotten back to this BLOG. But I wanted to be sure and write a bit about our last survey, which asked our readers what they wanted more - and less - of in 2008.

By far, the majority suggested highlighting GSD venues other than conformation. Here's the thing:
If we are to do that, and do it well, we need help. It's been way too long since I stepped into an obedience ring, and I've never attempted herding, agility, flyball or any of the other various things our versatile breed can do so well.

Our request is this - if you have experience in something other than conformation and you're willing to give us a hand, LET ME KNOW.

We decided to celebrate the German Shepherd Dog's versatility in 2008, so it makes sense to actually feature more of those dogs, in word and picture, and in advertising.

Spead the word, and contact us at gsdbydesign@aol.com if you can lend a hand.

Becky

     I’m a bit of a know-it-all. I’m brash, bold, loud, and darn smart.

     It definitely is never my intention to be unkind. But if I know the answer, I’ve got to say it. I was stunned to learn recently that the more “right” I think I am, the more tension I am inadvertently creating with others, who (can you believe this?) also think they are right.

     So, earlier this week, when we asked our readers how they liked our product, I learned plenty. Here’s a synopsis of your ideas to improve GSDbyDesign.com; many will be implemented before the New Year:

     1 – A “tips section,” which would include breeding and/or whelping tips, how to condition and groom, tips for nutrition and a veterinarian guest columnist. A judges’ corner. (All great ideas. Look for some sooner than others. We are actively searching for two more judges to join our panel for a ‘question of the month.’ Any takers?)

     2 – Interviews/articles with folks from other venues; obedience, rally; herding; agility; tracking; flyball; schutzhund, SAR. (Another very good idea. It should have been implemented before now. We need writers to help us gather all this information.)

     3 – Occasionally offer a few weeks of free advertising for a new kennel or handler.

     4 – More “letter to editor” stuff. More show results.

     5 – Improve labeling of links for easier navigation of site. (This will be part of a website overhaul that will take place before Jan. 1. We have heard this before and have been discussing the best way to resolve the issue.)

     6 – With respect to stud dogs, create a database which allows readers to see all the stud dog pictures and click on those they want to look at in more detail, regardless of where the dog is located. This would be in addition to what you already have. (Hands-down, the best idea we saw. Look for it by the end of the month.)

     Aside from this sampling of wonderful suggestions, the survey also taught us a thing or two about disagreements. Specifically, there really is no right or wrong. There is our way of looking at things and yours.

The more we get to know and appreciate our readers for who they are, the more we respect your positions. That doesn't mean we always agree. For example, one survey participant suggested we “get some integrity.”

     Now, I know I have issues. Control issues. Trust issues. And others, I'm sure. In fact, in nearly a decade of professional journalism, I've been smacked in the face by the pretty nasty words that came at me on the phone and in the paper (letters to the editor). Not one of them, however, ever suggested I lacked integrity.

     Still, I can see the value in striking a balance that satisfies us both, sort of. So instead of harping on how wrong that respondent is, I will swallow the letters my fingers really want to type and say, "I see your point."

     The hope here, ladies and gentlemen, is that after I sincerely acknowledge this view, it may become easier for you to hear mine. And that is this:

     Since we launched on May 5, 2007, more than 24,933 people - from 16 countries - have visited (as of this writing). We have created in excess of 600 full-page color ads at the ridiculously low rate of $25 a piece ($15 each for the first two months). And we sincerely hope that you appreciate and take advantage of the ONLY online German Shepherd publication that provides you with that target audience, distribution and international presence.
     Finally, here is a little something for you to chew on: A full-color page ad, plus a kennel listing, plus a stud dog ad for a full YEAR is less expensive than a 30-day color ad in a notable Shepherd print magazine.
     Hundreds of you have already taken advantage of our rates. Now we need you to assist us in another way: We need writers, fact-checkers and researchers. We need your local specialty clubs to tell us when their shows will be held, and to send us the results afterward. We need those same clubs to exchange links with us. We need you to tell your friends we exist. And we need you to continue to advertise. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Becky T. Dickson, editor

What do you want?

 The German Shepherd by Design is shaped by your needs, wants, and suggestions.

A few fanciers want this publication to fail. They have made clear that our roast of Ed Barritt, whom we hold in the highest regard, was distasteful. Because we promptly respond to our customers’ wants and needs, we immediately removed the roast from our site. We spoke with Mr. Barritt, who assured us there was no harm done. (Have you ever seen a roast that wasn’t offensive?)

Still the attacks persist.

We have seen emails which openly and directly advise our customers and potential customers not to advertise with us. In response, two fanciers have chosen to remove their paid ads early.

Since we exist for your benefit, we’d like to know if you find our services of value. Is there an outcry from the fancy, as our opponents allege, to dissolve our website?

There is no sense in carrying on what has become a full-time job if the people we are meant to serve don’t want the service.

            We believe we offer a high-quality product. We believe the fancy benefits from having the option of online advertising. And we firmly believe that consumers need advertising they can afford.

            Which brings us back to the headline of this article: What do you want?

            We have created a brief survey designed to give us the answer. Please go here http://survey.constantcontact.com/survey/a07e26voer5f8n6rcct/start and help

us improve our services to you.

Welcome to our new BLOG!  Here you'll find a place to brag, gossip about the Election and - oh yeah - talk dogs.
We hope you take advantage of this new feature. Check back often - you never know what you will find. We are,
after all, the "the ultimate source for German Shepherd Dog news." 

Sincerely,
Becky T. Dickson
www.GSDbyDesign.com