GSD National Magazine SW News June 2006

Jaquenetta German Shepherd Dogs

June 2006

FROM THE SOUTH WEST. JEAN HISCOX.

Reading through The Alsatian Review June 1948 I came across the following in an article Standard of the Alsatian by F.N. Pickett. ‘Note:- In allowing 2 inches each side of 24 inches it became the practice to deduct up to 2 inches for bitches and to add 2 inches for dogs, and the rule was maintained for many years in the form given above so that perfectly proportioned specimens which might be excluded from competition if height standards were rigidly enforced , could be included. Most of the earlier German Siegers were much nearer 26inches in height than 24 inches, and it must be admitted that most Siegerins were nearer 24 inches than 22. But this did not apply to purely Working competitions. As in this country, not much attention was paid to size or appearance of Working Stock, but Show Stock was rigidly controlled for height, particularly minimum height. It was in the early 1930’s that the S.V. announced that henceforth the smaller “working dog” was to be popularised, but the announcement was not made until most of the living “Show” type Siegers and Siegerins had been sold at high prices to unsuspecting foreigners. The German S.V. were, however, all-powerful in Germany, and undoubtedly briefed their judges before they left to judge in foreign countries so Alsatianists will remember their dismay when they saw in this country for the first time the tiny Res. Gd. Ch. Bero v.d. Deuschen Werken and we had the unusual sight of little (24in.) Armin Ernaslieb being awarded the C.C. from a Graduate Class over the German and World Gd. Ch. Donar v. Overstolzen of Welham by a German judge, Herr W. Reichert, at Crufts Show in 1930.’ He ends his article with ‘There is a possibility that the German S.V. will itself restore the old standards, both in their regulations and the show ring in an endeavour to secure a share of the world’s trade in Alsatians or G.S.D. Most of the big buyers, prepared to pay the biggest prices, have left no doubt that they prefer the larger champions.’ Which brings to mind the well-known maxim ‘Those who ignore the mistakes of history are doomed to repeat them, or as Del-boy would put it ‘ De ja vous again.’

At Allertonshire GSD Club Champ Show under judge Paul Bradley. 2^nd JB Cullen’s Veneze Ali. 6^th PGB Cooper’s Reliant Veilia at Leroaine. 4^th OB Meaton’s Moonwoods Foxi.

The following day at North Yorks & South Durham GSD Club under dog judge Fredrik Norgren. 3^rd JD Bowen & Julian’s Lararth Sonny. 3^rd LD Davies & Wilkins Lindanvale Hondo at Eyanica. 4^th LD Julian’s Zuberg Lyric. Under bitch judge Luis Soldevilla. 6^th JB Cullen’s Veneze Ali. 5^th PGB Cooper’s Reliant Veilia at Leroaine. 5^th LB Davies & Wilkins Eyanica Anjie.

I look through the dog papers for anything of interest to do with the G.S.D. But I only read them when I have time, so save them up. In 10^th March edition of Our Dogs and 17^th March edition of Dog World, there was an article about a Show in Belgium by Karl Donvil in which he writes “If you read my report on this website on Charleroi, you already know my remarks on German Shepherds.” Of course I had to look up his remarks and I have included them here with a link to the webpage.

Charleroi 2005 - Consideration about the German Shepherd by Karl Donvil
Only 4 groups were presented on Saturday, the others were shown on Sunday. Most breeds were represented by a few specimens and therefore there were no remarkable records to report except perhaps for the 22 German Shepherds which is unusual for a regular dog show. They were judged by Mr.Thibaut from Belgium. German Shepherds have their own shows and special way of showing and hardly enter on regular dog shows, which is in fact a pity. I always have wondered why the most popular dog breed in the world must be shown in a different way with double handling and unnatural poses. I applause the fact that they are tested for endurance in their rings, but when in show pose they look so unnatural to me. I can hardly imagine a dog herding cows or sheep in a pose that must overload their hips. Look at the Belgian Shepherds and the Border Collies and all the other sheepdogs! All are known for their ability to work many hours a day, but none of them are shown in such a position. Even the German Shepherd will not stand in such a way if not handled. I see it as a mere fashion and a way to add elegance while shown, but I wonder if we don’t destroy the natural construction of this breed by turning it into a caricature of itself. And isn’t this breed too often taken as the prototype of dogs. The biggest danger for the future of the breed is that most judges of German Shepherds only judge this one breed and only at show specialities. German Shepherd judges should be at least licensed to judge other shepherd breeds before they are allowed to judge the German Shepherd in order to prevent that they loose sight on the construction of dogs in general and Championship should only be given to dogs with good results in international all breed shows. The situation like it is now is critical as already now it looks like the German Shepherd is no longer a subspecies of the Canis Familiaris but a separate branch of the Canidae.

http://123dog.combell.net/servlets/gateway/user/GalleryNews.jsp/id/232/typeid/1000/jlang/nl/dogs.html

Surely Karl Donvil is not at all familiar with our breed, otherwise he could not possibly hold the opinion he expresses in his report. From birth for about twenty years I lived with farm Collies, and for nearly thirty years with G.S.D.s. I agree with him about Collies I cannot remember them having a particular stance. The G.S.D.s I have owned (with one exception) have stood with a rear leg extended backwards in a natural balanced stance, while observing an object in the garden, or when stopping on a walk, or stood in the house waiting to go out. It is not a show trained stance as many of the G.S.D.s I have lived with have never been shown. Most of them go into their natural stance from a very early age. It must be a natural balanced position to a well-constructed sound G.S.D. otherwise they would not do it. The only G.S.D. I never saw stand herself naturally was a bitch we bought as a puppy from a well-known breeder. We had her hips x-rayed at 10months. The vet who x-rayed her had served on the KC/BVA panel. He told us she had one of the worst pair of hips he had ever seen and it would be kinder not to let her come round from the anaesthetic. In the G.S.D. the back legs propel and the front legs support and guide. When he is stood watching something several feet away it seems obvious he would have his back legs in the correct position to power himself into action from a standing start if the situation warranted it. When he has decided whether he will walk, amble, gait or even slink towards it then he co-ordinates his front legs accordingly. When humans stand waiting at the start of a track event or a run up to a field event they stand with one foot in front of the other ready for action. Due to the character of the German Shepherd he is on his guard and alert at all times, his natural stance puts him in the position of being ready for action, and so it follows that he is shown in this stance.

At Birmingham & District GSDA under dog judge Morton Goldfarb. 1^st MPD Vonderoak Uzo (a great-grandson of Jaquenetta Jinnistan now into his thirteenth year). 6^th JD Davies & Davies Silverleigh Estor. 5^th LD Davies & Wilkins Lindanvale Hondo at Eyanica. 3^rd OD Green & Tolputt’s Videx Omar at Devat. 6^th PB Williamson’s Shellmead Anya.7^th SpYB Cooper’s Reliant Veilia at Leroaine. 1^st PGB Morgan’s Belezra Kelci. 5^th PGB Davies & Wilkins Eyanica Blanka. 3^rd OB Meaton’s Moonwinds Foxi.

The next day at Bath Canine Society Champ. Show (no CCs for G.S.D.s) judge Mr E Gray. 1^st OD & BD Crouch’s Lindella’s La Bada at Chalita ShCM.

It was a pleasure to judge the Junior Handling Classes at Birmingham Champ. Show. Those earnest little faces etched with concentration, listening intently to their instructions and carrying them out to the letter. It was good to see so much enthusiasm amongst them, and credit must go to John Ward for the encouragement this competition gives to our youngsters in the breed.

I am looking forward to the Heads of the Valleys first Championship show, but be warned, this is the headquarters of the Grumpy Old Men. At least when You go home from the show you can leave them behind We have to live with them!

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