THE GERMAN SHEPHERD SENTINEL
JANUARY 2005 - NEWSLETTER OF THE
GSDC OF GREATER RALEIGH
1390 Sanders Road, Benson, NC 27504
PH: 919-934-6232, E-Mail: VonRillca@aol.com
Website: www.gsdcofgrraleigh.org
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Board Policy on Dogs at Club Sponsored Events
2. March Meeting Information
3. February Minutes
4. Brags
5. Dog Words
6. GSDCA Board-O-Gram
7. Disease Sniffing Dogs
8. Letter from Lew Bunch
BOARD POLICY ON DOGS AT CLUB SPONSORED EVENTS
The GSDC of Greater Raleigh welcomes your German Shepherd at our events, including meetings. However, the following rules must be followed:
1. Anyone with an aggressive dog (one that growls, snaps, or is in any way aggressive towards other dogs or people) must be muzzled.
2. Dogs will be free of loose hair and external parasites (fleas or ticks). Please brush your dog prior to bringing it to the meeting as we must clean up the room after we are finished.
3. For the safety of all members, guests and their dogs, it is strongly recommended that all dogs be kept up to date on their vaccinations. ALL dogs that are old enough, MUST have a current rabies shot.
MARCH MEETING INFORMATION
The next meeting of the GSDC of Greater Raleigh will be held on March 2 at the Exchange Park on Spring Forest Road. Socialization will begin at 7:00 PM with the program being given by Bob & Pat Peters of Bob Peters Dog Shows at 7:30 PM. The program will teach us how to be capable stewards at our Spring Shows. As this is the club’s only money maker for the year, it is very important to have knowledgeable helpers at our shows.
Refreshments will be furnished by Gwen Testa.
GSDC of Greater Raleigh
February Meeting Minutes
Program: Sheriff Donnie Harrison came to the club to give an overview of the Wake County Sheriff’s Department and talk about the canine program he has instituted in Wake County. Sergeant Tom Hawley of the K-9 program brought his dog Jet, a black sable GSD for a demonstration. When Sheriff Harrison came into office, the department had 1 dog. Now there are 8 and he is planning on adding 2 more dogs soon. Various organizations and companies donate supplies to help defray the cost of the dogs. Tracy Bollin of Scotland Neck is the primary trainer for the dogs who do everything from tracking individuals to apprehending suspects.
Business Meeting: President Deeda Duncan talked about the March meeting program planned. Bob and Pat Peters will talk about conformation stewarding. Mary is contacting the GSD rescue in Wake County to discuss issues of mutual interest. Pete Katz will be doing our Web site which will include all club information, committees, etc. For the April Shows, Rosemary and Deeda will be doing the premium list. We are looking at a provider for refreshments. Mary will be working on the brochure and a rubber stamp for the club.
The Third Reading was done on prospective members: Steven and Roberta Martin, and Doug Parker
Welcome to our new members.
Treasurer’s Report: Sara Bridges gave the club report. Liability insurance of $625 is due. Remember to get your dues in to Sara. Cost is $20 per individual and $25 per couple.
Brags:
Vickie Brown’s two dogs, Cole and Britta, have 2 legs on Rally novice.
Yvette Ward furnished the following information on her dogs: Quest von Jagerstadt age 8 months earned his herding title HT and pretrial PT in Oct of 2004. Seiko von Jagerstadt age 2 is OFA good, he is a certified arson detection dog for the Greenville Fire Dept, NC Gretl von Jagerstadt is a certified search/rescue dog for the Pine Hills NCSable x Jake's litter born 12/7/04 seven of the puppies have had ofa prelims 6 ofa good, 1 ofa fair all have clear elbows, within that litter one of the pups is currently being raised in the guide dog program.
Condolences are given to John & Eva Pye on the loss of their dog, Jake.
DOG WORDS
BALL: That wonderfully round object that you can use to show how much your person loves you. If they will throw it for hours, you are well loved. It is also good for meeting your persons friends and finding out if they are dog people. The trick is, (to find out if they truly are dog people or just saying they are to get on your persons good side), you drop it into the guest drink, and if they laugh about it and throw it for you, they are dog people, if not... well.
FLEAS: Those nasty little biting bugs. To get rid of them, roll around on your persons floor until a great number are deposited there. After awhile he will not only get rid of them in his house but on you as well.
CAT: That wonderful ball of fur with teeth and claws. They are great fun to chase up trees. Be careful though, sometimes they chase you, and their bite and scratch can be a bit painful if you aren't fast enough to get out of the way.
THE VET: The one person in the world you hate the most. Upon hearing the word VET, it is permissible to run, hide, or do whatever possible to avoid this menace to dogdom. Sometimes excessive drooling helps, but unlike the earlier definition, you must add a look of total panic
GERMAN SHEPHERD DOG CLUB OF AMERICA
Board O Gram
January 2005 Board Meeting
Highlights Written by Tom T. Mesdag
Edited and approved by Ginny Altman
of the January Board Meeting
The first regular meeting of the German Shepherd Dog Club of America was held on January 29 & 30 at the Holiday Inn in Dallas, Texas. It was preceded by the Budget and Finance Committee meeting on Thursday and Friday and an intensive work session on the Illustrated Standard on Friday evening. President Ginny Altman welcomed the following newly elected board members as directors, Dania Karloff, Tom Mesdag, Helen Gleason, and Nanci Nellis.
Executive Committee: The Board elected the following Board members to serve on the Executive Committee, President Ginny Altman as chairman, Ken Downing, Gary Szymczak, Leon Breault, and Lanalee Jorgensen.
Committee Chairperson: All Committees and Committee Chairperson were approved. Two new Review Committee Chairs have been recommended and were subsequently approved by the Executive Committee. The Chairman are listed as the following:
Review Marketing -- Val Manning
Review Management -- Laurie Pruett
Health and Genetics -- Ginny Altman
Search and Rescue -- Barbara Balyeat
AKC Delegate -- Carmen Battaglia
ROM Dams -- Cappy Pottle and Gloria Birch
Connie Beckhardt/Lloyd Brackett Awards -- Leon Breault
Regional Clubs -- Lew Bunch
Red Book -- Ellie Carson
AABOI -- Kathy Field Casteel
Health Sub-Committee Special Projects -- Tony Cherubini
Canadian Liaison -- Peter Crawford
Budget and Finance/Insurance -- Ken Downing
Ethics -- Danny Dwier
Training Achievement Awards -- Judith Ecklund
Rom Sires -- Doris Estabrook
Don Cliff Memorial Good Sportsmanship Award -- Kris Fasano
Blance Beisswenger Memorial Hero Dog Awards -- Helen Miller Fisher
Policy and Procedures Manual -- Joan Fox
Legal Affairs -- R. LaMar Frederick
Juniors/American GSD Charitable Foundation -- Sue Godek
Membership Data Base Management -- Gail Hardcastle
Show Sites/Public Relations/Roll of Honor -- Debra Ann Hokkanen
Herding Field Chair -- Rosemary Joralemon
Education/ABJAC -- Lanalee Jorgensen
Membership -- Dania Karloff
AOE -- Jane Kerner
Tracking Liaison -- Billie Kovacs
Breed Rescue -- Linda Kury
WDA Liaison /SV&WUSV/COAPA – David Landau
Orientation/Herding -- Dorothy Linn
Obedience -- Dalene McIntire
Consultant for Policy and Procedures Manual -- Kim McNamara
Annual Judges Seminar -- Diane Mehra
Newsletter -- Ann Mesdag
Board O Gram/Bylaws -- Thomas Mesdag
Herding Field Chair -- Sandy Moore
Veterinary Liaison Reports and Assistant -- Catherine Morton
Chairman National Specialty Show -- Nanci Nellis
Parent Club Office -- Linda Newman
PAM -- Lori Nickeson
Temperament Committee Chairperson -- Bob Penny Internet Chairperson -- Bill Pfeiffer
WDA Liaison/SV-WUSV Committee Secretary -- Martylou Plinski
Public Education Coordinator (PEC) -- Laurie Pruett
Thirteen Club -- Carol Putnam
Health Sub-Committee Certificates -- Julie Richards
Agility Liaison -- Susan Sacco
Lamar Kuhns Award -- Rita Sandell
Review Editorial -- Lee Smith
Veterinary Liaison -- James Spicer, DVM
Review Editor -- Gail Sprock
Title Pins and Certificates -- Pamela Stoesser
Video -- Tony Szczuka
Dual Awards -- Daphne Szczuka
Products -- Gary Szymczak
Breeders Code -- Jamie Walker
Futurity -- Tish Walker
Health Sub--Committee Health First - Barbara Lee Williams
AKC Delegate: Carmen Battaglia requested that his report be posted on the GSDCA website. Some points from his report are summarized here.
The “In ring Temperament Test” is being supported by the judges and the AKC judges department. The AKC Board amended the Rally Regulations, effective January 1, 2005 to make it clear that a Rally Trial held with an Obedience Trial must be open to the same breeds as that Obedience Trial, e.g. All Breed, Group or a single breed.
The AKC Board approved an outright grant to the AKC Canine Health Foundation endowment for an amount up to $500,000 in additional funds for the Foundation endowment to be given as a dollar-for-dollar match for any new donations the Canine Health Foundation raises for the endowment from other sources through the end of 2005.
EUROPE - PET MICROCHIPPING Europe and all of its trading partners have now mandated microchipping as a condition of positive identification. This rule applies to pets being shipped in and out of the EU. Switzerland's Federal Council has taken this even further. The Swiss introduced compulsory microchipping for all dogs. Their goal is to have all dogs clearly marked by 2007.
DNA CONSULTANT Dr. Elaine A. Ostrander, is the foremost scientist on the genome. She has agreed to serve as a consultant to AKC’s DNA department. With her involvement in the sequencing of the canine genome and its completion, she is the ideal person to help AKC fashion its DNA programs going forward. See the website for detailed information.
National Specialty 2005: The 2005 National Specialty will be held in Concord, North Carolina on October 31 - November 1, 2005. An Advanced Brochure will be mailed to members in May. Be sure to bring it with you to the 2005 Nationals as it will have information that will not be in the premium list. The show committee and committee chairman were presented and approved by the January Board. Dog friendly hotels have been secured for North Carolina. Royal Canin USA and Nestle Purina Pet Care Company continue to sponsor our National. The facility for our North Carolina National show in Cabarrus County is new and outstanding.
Obedience Report: Anyone wishing to serve on the 2005 Obedience Committee should
contact Dalene McIntire at 253-852-0605 or dalene.mcintire@verizon.com. Rally levels one, two, and three will be offered at the 2005 National.
The 2005 Herding Trial dates are Oct. 28, 29, and 30 (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) at Fran Hoffman’s Glenn-Haven Farms located in Durham, NC. Two days of the trials will be open to all breeds. The GSDCA would like to offer a “C” course whenever possible, but a minimum of at least 6 commitments to enter are required because of the special requirements and logistics involved in putting on this course. Courses A, B, and a limited number of tests plus the non-regular Ranch Course will be offered. Judges elected by the membership are; Ann White, Debbie Pollard, and Laura Noll. Trial Secretary is Linda Copestick. Herding Instinct Test TBA
Futurity: Cappy Pottle was approved as the alternate judge for the 2005 Mid-Atlantic Futurity. Kathaleen Strong was approved as the co-chair of the 2005 North West Futurity. There was a clarification to the Judge's Agreement that it should state: I am a member in good standing of the GSDCA and am in good standing with the AKC. It was also approved that those persons having completed the new judge's requirements prior to January 2005 be grandfathered with documentation showing they have done the event but without the required signature of the chairman. Any matches or stewarding assignments completed after January 2005 would require the necessary signature.
Hero Dog Award: Deadline for submission of nominations is June 1, 2005. If your nomination did not win in 2004, you may resubmit the following year. No GSDCA Board member, or relative, may compete. Knowledge of, and agreement to nomination, by the owner of the dog must accompany the application.
ROM titles: Dogs may enter the Nationals of the same year once the ROM is confirmed by the chairman.
AABOI: This is the former ADOA committee is now Advocacy for Animal Breeders and Owners Issues By directly working with the regional clubs it will be easier to disseminate notification and issues in advance. Regional Clubs may expect to be contacted regarding these issues.
Health and Genetics: Dr. Clemmons is nearly ready to demonstrate the use of the MRI as a diagnostic tool for DM. He has developed a new DNA based method for diagnosis. Owners can now send blood samples to Dr. Clemmons. The test is reported as positive or negative for DM in those dogs who are symptomatic. More information about this test and how to send a sample can be found on the website. http://neuro.vetmed.ufl.edu/DM-Flash-test.htm Dr. Clemmons plans to begin bone marrow stem cell research this year. The GSDCA has donated $10,000 to Dr. Clemmons DM research and has asked the Foundation to contribute another $5000.
Internet: Bill asks the regional clubs to keep John Ayotte at showdates@gsdca.org or at john@jmadesign.com(John Ayotte) aware of your clubs show schedule. John has worked hard to make the “Show calender” a very user friendly, searchable facility to plan shows for your dogs and your social pleasure. Also please encourage your local clubs to provide us with their marked show catalogues via email at showresults@gsdca.org. Keep your club information current by sending changes to Bill. He plans to make this a focus area in 2005 and needs a few good assistant web masters in this area. Contact Bill if you wish to volunteer.
Junior Program: The Junior Newsletter was mailed September 2004. Any junior not receiving a newsletter please contact Susan Godek. Ashley Miller of Gumby, TX was the Robert Hamilton Trophy winner for 2004. Ashley Miller also won the $100.00 Savings bond for the highest GPA. Meghan McDonald won Best Junior at the 2004 Nationals in Albany, OR. AKC rule change: The following changes to the Junior Showmanship Regulations will be effective January 1, 2005.
Minimum age of participation will be 9. Classes will be divided into 3 age groups: Juniors 9-11, Intermediate 12-14, and Senior 15-18 Competition will be required for the Best Junior award.
These changes will allow juniors closer in age to compete against each other, as well as for more
opportunities for success. A $200.00 Savings Bond would be given in place of the Robert Hamilton Trophy to any junior who is a repeat winner of the year long Junior Showmanship competition. Wins are based on fiscal year - July 1 to June 30. Points must be submitted to Susan Godek, GSDCA, Junior Program Chairperson.
Membership: Gail Hardcastle and Dania Karloff continue to work in partnership to meet the needs of the membership committee. A distribution of the membership handbook was approved by the Board. As was done last year, this booklet will contain informative articles and should serve as a primary resource of GSDCA information for all GSDCA members. This handbook is scheduled for distribution in the fall. They are planning a variety of programs this year to not only reach out and gain new members but also to increase our rate of membership retention. Among these programs will be: (1) a follow up on members who did not renew this year, (2) referral of new members to regional clubs: and (3) recognition of long term members.
Parent Club Office: Regional Clubs are asked to note that, effective immediately, the new email for Parent Club Office requests will be lazerwolffe@ekit.com. The address for mailing premium lists to request medallions remains the same: Linda Newman, PO Box 1656, Allen, TX 75013.
Products Committee: The GSDCA would like to thank those who supported our products from the internet shopping cart and at our National Specialty. There are a few windbreaker jackets remaining in inventory, so please contact Gary Szymczak at pagairs@aol.com for colors and sizes.
Regional Club: GSDCA Regional Club Challenge Program for 2005 to be from August 1, 2004 through July 31, 2005. Deadline for all clubs to submit their forms and supporting documentation for points earned will be August 31, 2005. Send hard copy information only (Data will not be accepted via email) to:
Kelly Knight, 2071 Midlothian Road, Roseville, MN 55113, Phone: 651-633-3652 (just in case) , Email: Hadderway@msn.com (For questions only) Complete Guidelines and Forms for the Regional Club Challenge Program are on the GSDCA Website, www.gsdca.org or send an email to Lew Bunch at Lewieb@aol.com or call him 816 941 8725 and one will be sent to you.
GSDCA Regional Club Website Contest: This is to be a yearly competition of the GSDCA Regional Clubs websites. The purpose of club websites should be as a communication vehicle for members including upcoming meeting and event information, fun photos and information for members, identification of officers and to promote ease of communication with the club. The website should also be user friendly to members and the general public which may be looking for information on the breed and the Regional Club and the Parent Club. The website should be educational as well as informational. This contest will be judged and coordinated by Betty Johnson, Amy Safdir, and Dania Karloff.
Don’t miss out on the 2003 Red Book – only a few remain! Editions from years past are no longer available! They are available on the website or contact Ellie Carson, ellie.carson@att.net
Title Pins and Certificates
Requirements for GSDCA Awards Certificates and Pins:
The dog’s owner must be a member of the GSDCA or WDA.
The AKC needs to confirm the award. For a SchH title; a copy of the score book is needed.
Turn your request in within 6 months of the completion of the title.
Additional Championship/Performance Pins may be purchased for GSDCA - member co-owner(s) (as of the title finish date) for $10.00 each (check payable to GSDCA). (Additional breeder’s pins are $20.00 each.) If you meet all the qualifications listed above, send a copy of your AKC certificate along with your name and address to:
Pamela Stoesser
S78 W23900 Cheri Ave.
Big Bend, WI 53103
or send an email (for all except SchH titles) to pkstoesser@earthlink.net that includes your name and address, your dog’s name, the title he/she completed, the date of completion, and your dog’s AKC number. Assuming you meet the requirements listed above, you will get your award within 60 days.
The American German Shepherd Rescue Association (AGSRA) is a 501(c)(3) organization which provides education, consultation and information regarding rescue of homeless German Shepherds. Additionally, AGSRA is a fund raising organization where funds are used to provide grants to rescue groups and for emergency and/or unique situations that arise. In order to increase the number of rescue organizations we provide manuals and consultation on starting rescue activities, free of charge. Information about AGSRA, German Shepherd rescue and the directory of GS rescues by state can be found at http://www.agsra.com . PHONE REFERRAL The direct line is 630-529-7396. Officers are: Linda Kury, President; Rosemary Joralemon, Vice President; Teresa Royer, Secretary; Shirley Briggs O’Brien, Treasurer. Board members are: Patty Szymczak, Joan Fox and Helen Gleason.
Search and rescue dogs have become more visible since 9/11 and they are going to continue to be utilized. Barbie Bayleat, Chairman of this committee asks if anyone has any ideas on promoting interest in SAR, to please contact her at vdanhoffer@aol.com.
Charitable Foundation: The AGSDCF has donated over $85,000 in funds from both the AGSDCF Treasury and AKC-CHF donor designated matching fund program in 2004. The Grants funded were for the following diseases: Degenerative Myelopathy, Autoimmune Diseases, Pancreatic Insufficiency, Heart Disease, and Osteosarcoma.
The Foundation 2005 National activities of the Silent Auction, Benefit Party, and sale of cookbooks and pens raised approximately $6,000 which will fund research grants to benefit our breed. The Benefit Party was sponsored by Ken and Patty Downing, Jr. & Frank and Ellie Carson & Lori Nickeson & Paul Miller. At the January Electronic Meeting the Foundation elected Robert Eaton and Tish Walker as Directors for 2005 -- 2007 term. The Foundation website has been updated as of January 6, 2005: Grants Lists, Grant Results, Contribution, Financial Report, Recognition Sculpture, and Health Survey Results as of particular interest.
SV/WUSV Liaison: Important dates for 2005:
SV Sieger Show in Ulm, September 2-4 followed by the WUSV General Assembly on September 5.
SV Bundessiegerprufung in Baunatal, September 16-18.
WUSV World Championship in Haugenau, France, October 6-9 followed by the WUSV meeting on Working Dog Character on October 10.
HGH Championship in Koingsee, Germany, September 23-25
GSDCA-WDA Liaison: The 2005 National Schutzhund Championship/World ChampionshipQualification Trial will be held in Kansas City from April 29-May 1. Chairman of the Organizing Committee is Ken Downing, Jr.
The GSDCA-WDA is soliciting contributions for travel support for the GSDCA Team at the World Championship in France. Checks should be sent to GSDCA-WDA Treasurer, Martylou Plinski, and marked for the World Team fund.
New Business: A motion to ask our Delegate to the American Kennel Club to consider changes to the current Bred by Class which would allow minor children residing in the home to show in BBE providing the parents are Breeder/Owner of the animal was approved by the Board.
The nominating committee members elected are: Sharon Allbright, Chairman, Debbie Hokkanen-NE, Bart Bartley–Heartland alternate is Julie Degen, Sam Colvin -Mid-America, alternate Randy Cliff, and Gail Hardcastle - West, alternate Bob Penny.
The April Board meeting will be in Ogden, Utah on April 22-24, 2005, convening at 6pm on Friday and preceded by a site visit.
No one appreciates the very special genius of your conversations as a dog does. Christopher Morley
Disease Sniffing Dogs
A couple of weeks ago, the media was talking about dogs and their ability to discover cancer in humans
well before any of medicine's high technological diagnostic equipment.
This article from an excellent natural human website www.lef.org has the complete details and who
started this experiment.Deutsche Presse-Agentur (dpa)
04 Feb 2005
Brits, South Africa (dpa) - "Humans and dogs can have an incredibly deep level of communication. Dogs know stuff about us that we don't even know about ourselves," says American animal behaviourist Kirk Turner.
In 1999 Turner set out to determine whether dogs can sniff out cancer in humans. A promising study in the United Kingdom and subsequent clinical trials in the United States have since showed that canines with their superior olfactory systems may be more accurate than machines in detecting the disease.
He and his partners from South Africa's Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) are presently in the process of establishing a dog training centre in the dusty district of Brits outside the capital Pretoria to further explore this theory.
A study conducted at the Pine Street Clinic in California using dogs trained by Turner to identify the breath of lung, breast and pancreatic cancer patients since 1999, is currently under peer review.
"Basically until the results are published in a medical journal I won't make any claim as to what my results mean. What I can tell you is that dogs have an extremely high level of accuracy," he told Deutsche Presse-Agentur, dpa.
His findings may have profound implications for the detection of cancer, tuberculosis and even HIV/AIDS particularly in third world countries where resources are low and the use of modern medical technology is scant and costly.
"The use of dogs in detecting diseases can have a potentially huge impact in the third world where a lot of money can be saved.
Basically, it is a low-tech way of finding disease. I believe that it is possible to work with a myriad of other diseases including AIDS and tuberculosis," he notes.
Trained dogs could also assist in validating the screening processes of western technology. "In my opinion, dogs are better at finding cancer than a CAT scan," he told dpa.
Anecdotal evidence over decades that dogs with their extremely sensory olfactory systems can smell cancer and other diseases and the centuries old Chinese belief to this effect have nudged scientists in this direction.
Dogs have already proved their worth in fields such as assisting the blind and sniffing out drugs and explosives. It is not uncommon worldwide to hear of the family dog that emerges a hero from some crisis or other.
Last year the first bit of significant research into canine cancer detection was published in the British Medical Journal. Researchers at the Amersham Hospital in England reported the findings of a study in which six dogs trained to detect "tumour related volatile compounds" in urine samples.
The dogs achieved a 41 per cent success rate - higher than that of state-of-the-art x-ray and CAT scan machines used by oncologists to search for signs of cancer. Urine samples from 36 patients with bladder cancer and 108 others without the disease were used in the study.
"They used urine while we use human air samples. Their tests were conducted in an environment with a lot of distractions - forensic dogs are generally trained this way. We will use a hospital-like environment with no distractions," says Turner.
Training involves firstly "imprinting the smell of cancer" on the dog's olfactory system, by exposing it to the breath of cancer patients contained in tubes.
Dogs are taught to react to the smell of the disease by for example sitting or lying down and are rewarded with a treat, he says. They also learn to differentiate between what they are expected to look for and unusual scents such as eucalyptus and sunscreen.
"With any detection work, whether it is landmines you're looking for or explosives, you always have to be careful of inadvertent signals by the dog handler," he says.
Removing the handler while the dog follows the cancer scent trial in a clinical trial would eliminate this risk, he says.
Turner's training methods differ slightly from the "jerk and pull" methods employed by "many people in the dog business", he says. "I don't like using fear of consequence as a training style," he says.
"To me a dog is a very special creature. The relationship between dog and trainer has to be about love and companionship. I use operant conditioning methods of the behavioural scientist BF Skinner," he said.
For the last 15 years Turner has taught dogs obedience, agility and tricks in addition to treating behavioural problems. His most recent work centres around the behaviour of three Labradors and two Portuguese water dogs.
"All dogs have the same number of olfactory cells but those that are easily motivated make the best working partners," he says.
"Centuries from now it will not matter about the house we lived in or how much money we made in a lifetime.....but the world may be better because we helped some of God's little animals on this earth during our time here."
To All Regional Clubs:
From Lew Bunch
Regional Club Coordinator of the GSDCA
Please take this to your membership at your next club meeting and ask all GSDCA members to offer input, vote, or make a suggestion to the GSDCA Board. You also have permission to print this in your newsletter and/or place it on your club's web site. We are seeking input for two very important items that will be discussed at the April 2005 GSDCA Board meeting.
At the January GSDCA Board Meeting there were two topics introduced as motions that were postponed until the April Board Meeting. There will be a special Friday night work session just for discussion of these items. The Board meeting will be in Salt Lake City, Utah on April 22, 23, 24, 2005 and all GSDCA members are invited to attend. However, since we realize that most of you GSDCA Members will not be able to attend we are asking for your input. You may respond to me or better yet you may email the entire GSDCA Board by sending your email to Board@GSDCA.org
Please realize that you must be a member of the GSDCA to vote on club business so we are also asking that only GSDCA Members respond via email. Thank you.
Item #1: A motion was made to not limit the number of Selects at the GSDCA National Specialty Show to Ten (10) of each sex. Instead it should be the discretion of the judge to determine how many Selects would be awarded. As it stands now, the limit of Ten Selects would be effective at the 2005 National Specialty Show. The question for our membership is, Do you want a limit placed on Selects or shall it be left up to the judge?
Item #2: The Loose Lead Temperament Test (Evaluation) The Board did get into a very lengthy discussion about how the test -- wait a minute it is now supposed to be called an Evaluation - is being done. Very different methods are being used by most All Breed Judges, some Specialty judges and then there are some who just don't want to do it. It was a good discussion.
A motion was made to "suspend the temperament test." The motion did not go into a great deal of detail and I do believe it was intended to start this discussion and maybe even to make sure the evaluation was being performed in only one way. The motion was postponed (which was a positive action) and your Board will be having a work session on Friday, April 22, 2005, in Utah to fully discuss the evaluation. The GSDCA Temperament Committee and our AKC Delegate will attend the work session. The questions for our membership are, do you want to suspend the Loose Lead Temperament Evaluation or do you want to change the evaluation, etc.? Your comments and suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
Thank you very much for responding to these two very important items. Your Board is listening.
Lew Bunch, Chairman
GSDCA Regional Club Committee