----- Original Message -----

From: SHOMBERG2@aol.com

To: gsp-l@web.whc.net

Sent: Thursday, July 19, 2007 3:42 PM

Subject: [gsp-l] John's question

John,

What you surely understand by this time and having competed for a few years now with your girl is that yes, there are "jerks" who openly express their opinions so that their comments can be heard and they get a reaction from those they intentionally wish to upset. It does offend and I am very aware of this. Years ago it upset me far more. But no more. And in time you will be the same way because you will come to realize that comments made to offend or single out any particular coloration or "style" of dog are made by people who most often cannot compete on the same level and so their only recourse is to strike out in this manner. I call it "schoolyard 101" behavior.

 

I am well aware of the incident that you describe at this year's NSS as several people came to me and told me about the incident. Frankly I pretty much laughed it off as it came from someone who was somewhat inebriated, lacking in knowledge of our breed and I view this person with no respect at all; someone with a little more money than intellect. Does that make it right or should that excuse the behavior ? Absolutely not. However.......giving this type of person the dignity of a reaction only serves to make him aware that he "hit a nerve". I just happen to feel that are other ways to impact these individuals. One very real way to do this is to continue to compete and win as quite often these folks grow weary of being behind you in the final line-up and they take their marbles and go elsewhere.

 

When I state that it is my belief that you should have an above average solid liver dog in order to compete with an average counterpart I quite simply mean that when you exhibit a solid liver dog or bitch there are no markings to draw the eye to anything other than the complete picture. And a solid liver dog under most lighting  in any building or in natural sunlight

  almost has a spotlight of sorts that draws attention to each and every part of the dog's anatomy that is being presented for consideration. A dog in optimum condition with a good healthy coat will "shine" and it is as if highlights appear over every part of the bone structure so as to pull your eye toward it.

Solid liver coloration does not have the luxury of drawing one's eye toward a particular feature as some dogs who have lovely patches to in some ways work as camo.  Now that doesn't mean to say that all ticked and patched dogs have flaws. That isn't at all what I am saying. Simply stated I am only saying that if you are going to show a solid liver, you must have really good shoulders, length of upper arm, a solid topline, good tailset. great bone, length of neck, a nice underline, good feet, good bend of stifle and on and on and on.

There is nothing to hide and no way to draw the eye away from what may not be so great and no way to de-emphasize a characteristic that is less than correct.

And as Cathy aptly stated, presenting a dog for consideration in the ring can often be won or lost on the skills of the person actually handling the animal. I have seen mediocre dogs place higher than a really good dog more often than I care to admit and it sometimes just boils down to a person's ability ( or inability) to present the dog effectively. And years in the breed have no bearing on that talent.

The next time you are at a show and I'm there I will be more than happy to actually show you what I mean

by my statement and maybe I can explain myself better than I have here. Okay ?

 

We would all like to breed and own the perfect dog but that is just not reality because ..............there aren't any. The object of breeding dogs 

is to attempt to produce dogs that as closely resemble the "ideal" as is humanly possible. That is why we have written "breed standards". I still contend that if you wish to participate in this sport it is essential that you have a very, very thick skin and that you learn in time that most comments made in anger by a person who is truly ignorant about the breed overall only serves to make everyone else aware of their inabilty to be competitive and have the skills needed to be successful. Longtime breeders and owners view them and their comments as un-important and their time in our breed will likely be short.

 

Sharon

 

Sharon & Steve Dattilio
"Shomberg" , AKC Reg.
Breeders of Multiple Best In Show and National Award Winning GSPs
www.ShombergGSP.com

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When it comes to education I am sure you agree with what Sharon (I think it was Sharon) said, "You can lead a horse to water but you can't make them drink". I do think with the quality of the liver dogs being shown they will make their presence known and the issue will become a non issue. Hopefully it will be in our lifetime. As for stupid rude people I think they will always haunt us. I must say your experience dealing with stupid rude people was a Godsend. Your skill kept us safe and I thank you for that. Leita

john wrote:

Sharon,

 

Being a retired Police Officer from Crown Heights Brooklyn, and started showing Dobie's in the 70's I believe I have a pretty thick skin. Competing as a owner handler in the Doberman ring which I call "The ring of fire" gives you a very thick skin, what happened at the NSS in which I was the subject of verbal and physical harassment in which the person put his hands on me was inexcusable. And the point being that the only reason I came into contact with this person was I had a liver dog. I do agree with you that being intoxicated does not excuse that behavior. Having handled a few different breeds including GSP's in the past I am confident I have a good working knowledge of ring presentation, I personally believe that all people involved in Shorthairs may it be owners, handlers, clubs and the GSPCA  need to take a stand against those people who would discriminate against a particular coat color. The GSPCA needs to take a greater role in judge education. Having only handled a solid liver for a short time you would be surprised at some of the comments I have received by Judges and competitors alike, and I am sure you have more than the few I have. What happened at the NSS is on a different scale but does point out the fact that something has to be done.  John Marinos

----- Original Message -----

From: SHOMBERG2@aol.com

To: gsp-l@web.whc.net

Sent: Thursday, July 19, 2007 3:42 PM

Subject: [gsp-l] John's question

John,

What you surely understand by this time and having competed for a few years now with your girl is that yes, there are "jerks" who openly express their opinions so that their comments can be heard and they get a reaction from those they intentionally wish to upset. It does offend and I am very aware of this. Years ago it upset me far more. But no more. And in time you will be the same way because you will come to realize that comments made to offend or single out any particular coloration or "style" of dog are made by people who most often cannot compete on the same level and so their only recourse is to strike out in this manner. I call it "schoolyard 101" behavior.

 

I am well aware of the incident that you describe at this year's NSS as several people came to me and told me about the incident. Frankly I pretty much laughed it off as it came from someone who was somewhat inebriated, lacking in knowledge of our breed and I view this person with no respect at all; someone with a little more money than intellect. Does that make it right or should that excuse the behavior ? Absolutely not. However.......giving this type of person the dignity of a reaction only serves to make him aware that he "hit a nerve". I just happen to feel that are other ways to impact these individuals. One very real way to do this is to continue to compete and win as quite often these folks grow weary of being behind you in the final line-up and they take their marbles and go elsewhere.

 

When I state that it is my belief that you should have an above average solid liver dog in order to compete with an average counterpart I quite simply mean that when you exhibit a solid liver dog or bitch there are no markings to draw the eye to anything other than the complete picture. And a solid liver dog under most lighting  in any building or in natural sunlight

  almost has a spotlight of sorts that draws attention to each and every part of the dog's anatomy that is being presented for consideration. A dog in optimum condition with a good healthy coat will "shine" and it is as if highlights appear over every part of the bone structure so as to pull your eye toward it.

Solid liver coloration does not have the luxury of drawing one's eye toward a particular feature as some dogs who have lovely patches to in some ways work as camo.  Now that doesn't mean to say that all ticked and patched dogs have flaws. That isn't at all what I am saying. Simply stated I am only saying that if you are going to show a solid liver, you must have really good shoulders, length of upper arm, a solid topline, good tailset. great bone, length of neck, a nice underline, good feet, good bend of stifle and on and on and on.

There is nothing to hide and no way to draw the eye away from what may not be so great and no way to de-emphasize a characteristic that is less than correct.

And as Cathy aptly stated, presenting a dog for consideration in the ring can often be won or lost on the skills of the person actually handling the animal. I have seen mediocre dogs place higher than a really good dog more often than I care to admit and it sometimes just boils down to a person's ability ( or inability) to present the dog effectively. And years in the breed have no bearing on that talent.

The next time you are at a show and I'm there I will be more than happy to actually show you what I mean

by my statement and maybe I can explain myself better than I have here. Okay ?

 

We would all like to breed and own the perfect dog but that is just not reality because ..............there aren't any. The object of breeding dogs 

is to attempt to produce dogs that as closely resemble the "ideal" as is humanly possible. That is why we have written "breed standards". I still contend that if you wish to participate in this sport it is essential that you have a very, very thick skin and that you learn in time that most comments made in anger by a person who is truly ignorant about the breed overall only serves to make everyone else aware of their inabilty to be competitive and have the skills needed to be successful. Longtime breeders and owners view them and their comments as un-important and their time in our breed will likely be short.

 

Sharon

 

Sharon & Steve Dattilio
"Shomberg" , AKC Reg.
Breeders of Multiple Best In Show and National Award Winning GSPs
www.ShombergGSP.com

---

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