THE NATIONAL GERMAN SHEPHERD WORKING DOG ASSOCIATION - GSA

THE  IRISH SIEGER SHOW 2007

THE INTRODUCTION OF THE

EXCELLENT SELECT

CONFORMATION QUALIFICATION TITLE

Dispelling the myths, spelling out the requirements, detailing the rewards.

At last years WUSV delegate meeting held in Ulm on the Monday after the German Sieger Show, the WUSV Board of Management dropped a bombshell, the effects of which reverberated around the world. This controversial issue concerned a proposal before the meeting which called for a uniform application of breed show qualification title requirements right across all countries belonging to the WUSV. Firstly came the obvious demand, veiled as a proposal that all member clubs commit to holding an annual Sieger Show or main breed event and that this be based on or consistent with the German one. This was immediately followed by the undisguised ‘order’ that the awarding of Excellent Select qualification titles in all countries be brought into line with the requirements as applied in Germany. The implementation date proposed was 2007 onwards. Much to the amusement of yours truly (who was present as a GSA representative) and the shock and horror of a few others present the WUSV President Herr Henke continued to outline exactly what the rules would be. The requirement that all dogs in contention for a excellent rating be pre titled with a Schutzhund trial degree earned under international rules and that the dog also participate in and pass a courage test similar to that conducted at the SV show, caused some grimaces amongst the Irish and Australian Kennel club representatives.

However when the vote was taken the huge attendance gave the proposals their overwhelming approval. The GSA unreservedly supported and voted for the proposals and gave an undertaking to implement the changes in time with the deadline proposals. A couple of delegates abstained, one being the Irish Kennel Club boy. Only one club objected, the Australian delegate pleaded for derogation, and in the full knowledge that no one believed a word of what he was saying he continued digging his club deeper into the mire of excuses and deception. The WUSV President Herr Henke spoke out strongly and dismissed the objections and reiterated the determination of the WUSV to tighten up the requirements for titles. The Excellent Select title must have the same meaning and validity in all countries. That was it, official and binding on all member clubs. No more was said, and the GSA delegation was spared the cringing pleadings of the Irish Kennel Club boy who in the past based his objections on the lie that Schutzhund or any form of protection work is illegal in Ireland.

The enactment of these regulations, which are endorsed by the FCI, now make it a compulsory condition for any club hosting a breed specialty event (including Sieger Shows) to enact and enforce these requirements. There is no way around them. If a club engages the services of a judge from any WUSV member club then that judge is obligated to observe the statutes regarding the awarding of Excellent Select qualification titles. Local show societies or Kennel Club ordinances shall not supersede the WUSV rules.

Regardless of the regurgitated lies and procrastination  issued again lately to Irish exhibitors about the introduction of conditions for the VA title, there will be no change or special allowances for anyone anywhere in the world. Clarification of the new compulsory system already exists, having been written in stone firstly by the SV and again by the WUSV. The fact that the changes will be introduced at the Irish Sieger Show in 2007 puts paid once and for all to the lie that such provisions contravene Irish civil law, and exposes the liars once and for all.

The adoption of the new qualification requirements by the GSA means that Irish bred, trained or owned dogs have now, for the first time ever the opportunity to achieve a real title which has equal status to those awarded in Germany and elsewhere. This is one, if not the most important progressive achievement in terms of conformation breed show dog opportunities ever in this country. Once introduced it will be the pinacle of all show achievements and an eagerly saught after title.

If a title is to have any meaning whatsoever then the criteria attached to its awarding must be something special, and above reproach. What makes the Excellent Select title so special in the WUSV context is that it immediately impresses by virtue of the stringent pre selection breed and working requirements. Allied to these are all the other things which fulfil the desideratum as a reliable breeding partner. By virtue of the fact that the Excellent Select title is earned under these conditions and shall bear the imprimatur of the World Authority for the German Shepherd Breed gives it unrivalled eminence. Anything else masquerading as a title would be a sham.

The Excellent Select title originated in Germany and has successfully been used since its introduction to promote many top animals who existed in the shadow of the popular Sieger’s of the day. Its special designation continues as a mark of exceptional quality, and continuously serves to focus the attention of breeders, many of whom would otherwise narrowly focus on the first placed winner. It is undeniably a wonderful secure method of designating and confirming a dogs worth and value for breeding purposes and without it the concentration of the breeding lines would be even more troubling than they are.

In Germany we have all at one time or another marvelled at the quality of the top males and females. German Sieger Shows are particularly impressive and enjoyable in the sense of their pageantry and spectacle. The anticipation of what the Excellent Select line up will look like also add greatly to the occasion and allows everyone and anyone to become a judge for a few illusionary hours. We have marvelled at these dog’s performances, their stunning beauty, and immersed ourselves in the euphoric celebration of the greatest of dogs.  This is as it should be, and is exactly what we anticipate from the new and exciting dimension that will be the awarding of Excellent Select titles to worthy Irish dogs at next years Irish Sieger Show.

As part of the GSA progressive breed plan that was begun with the first Irish Sieger show in April 2003 we set in train a series of goals which we considered important if we were to move things forward and bring some credibility to Shepherds at last. We did this with compulsory identification checks, we did it with properly researched and verifiable pedigrees and paperwork, and we did it once more with the requirements for good hips. Our goal for next year, which is spot on target, is to introduce BH qualifications as a mandatory requirement for all adult dogs being judged with a view to receiving an excellent qualification. The fact that the show dogs are already taking part in trials to obtain degrees, is testimony to the interest and determination of our conformation dog fraternity to rise to the occasion and keep up with the risings standards. There is a clear understanding and calculated reasoning amongst most responsible owners now, and a desire for what can be achieved in partnership with the larger WUSV world wide family.

At the moment the details of the proposed changes to our Sieger Show rules are being discussed at local organisation level and will go on from there to be examined and finalised at the next meeting of the GSA Council. Immediately the changes are finalised we will publish details, along with all the relevant requirements as they apply to the courage tests and how the outcome of these shall impact on a particular dogs grading. Beyond that there is very little purpose to commenting further on these matters.

I can however give some information which will perhaps help dismiss misconceptions that are in the gossip arena at the moment.

• The only additional (new) requirement needed for to receive an Excellent grading will be a basic BH title.
• The off-lead gaiting in the open classes is no big deal. The dog will only be required to gait off-lead for the approximate distance of one length of the ring, and not for a continuous period.
• Only dogs that can prove a working title achieved under international rules and conditions is eligible to participate in the courage tests. Minimum SchH1.
• The fact that a dog passes the courage test does not mean that it is automatically entitled to an Excellent or an Excellent Select grading.
• Dogs that take part in and pass the courage tests are not automatically placed in front of dogs that do not take the test.
• There is no input or influence from anyone connected with the GSA as to how the judge interprets or places his classes.
• Because the probability exists that the judge may consider the entries of insufficient quality to merit Excellent Select qualifications it may occur that no such titles are awarded.
• This of course opens up the possibility that a dog without either a Schutzhund trial degree or an excellent select qualification can still achieve the overall Sieger title.
• The conditions set out in the new regulations will take into account the prefatory nature of the programme.

In its inaugural year the performance preparation and testing elements of the programme will be introduced at seminars with the help of GSA working judges and licensed trial helpers.

When the new regulations and the conditions for the courage tests become available they will be added to this article. In the meantime any other related matters or inquiries can be addressed to the administrative office of the GSA.

GSA - EMBRACING THE FUTURE AND THE INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMMES!