I want to encourage all my fellow GSP people to join the GSPCA for the year of 2009 at least! Currently the AKC does not allow for black GSP's in the show ring. It is being put up to a vote in 2009 of all GSPCA members if black should now be allowed. I feel this would be a huge step for the GSP breed if the AKC would allow them in the show ring. That means a black GSP could go to show such as Westmeinster and such wich is something that has never been allowed before.

Here is their link:

http://www.gspca.org/

Moose -  I have been a member of the GSPCA for (I think 4 years now).  This has been up for vote numerous times in the last few years.  I have always voted to allow black and black and white as I can see nothing wrong with those additional colors being allowed.  After all the Germans allow them and that is where our dogs come from.  I know there are others with strong opinions in the opposite direction, but I truly hope we get it passed this year.   There are some gorgeous, black/black and white GSPs out there.

So, I will second Moose.  Please join the GSPCA and vote.  The GSPCA also does some other really good things for our breed from rescue to working to keep our dogs healthy with special initiatives.  You will also receive the Shorthair Journal as part of your membership.

PS - I am only member of the GSPCA and don't have any other interests beyond how it may benefit our wonderful dogs.

Moose - Absolutely.  I think you will find allot of folks on this board are already GSPCA members, especially the ones that use the dlist (gsp-l) that is associated with this forum.  I know I recognize quite a few of them.

I just went to the site to sign up

It states the membership is From January thru December....Do we need to wait until January, to get the 2009 membership ?

Renee'

I am pretty sure Moose is correct.  I just renewed my membership a couple of weeks ago for 2009 through the renewal notice they sent me.  You will get a membership card and some info in the mail in a few days after you sign up.  I love the journal. It isn't big, but has some wonderful pictures, good articles and the rankings of the various GSPs in the venues.  Also, has info on AKC changes, etc.

Waitaminute.... I think EPs do have a standard, but perhaps most of them are registered with American Field instead? Heck, I don't know.

Anyway, beauty is as beauty does around here. Dulcie and Anya are both way below standard size so they're spayed (well, for that and other reasons) but they've lead my team for hundreds/thousands of miles, and they look like the prettiest dogs in the world when dragging my sorry butt back to the truck in fog or a whiteout!

I do not want to start WW III as I have witnessed some of the "discussions" in previous years on allowing black/black & white in the ring.  I read everyones posts and emails at the time and did research on my own prior to ever casting a vote.  The last thing I wanted to do was harm my favored breed.  In the end, I never heard a compelling argument for why not to allow black/black and white.  So, I cast my vote yes.  I see no reason not to allow the color change, and work on any other breed issues we have at the same time.

I have a profound respect for what the Germans have done with this breed as well as other breeds, and yes that does influence me.  If anyone is interested in reading some good history on the breed see if you can find a copy of Der Deutsch-Kurzhaar, The German Shorthair Pointer by Georgina Byrne.  It may be expensive, but worth the read.

Oh yea i may be completely wrong......but that is because my eyes are tainted by my super cool looking (and best color of all) rather dark speckled bird sniffer super tail wag'n liver feather fetcher

Besides you all know deep inside the liver/white roan and patched GSP's are the best sniff'n, fastest, nicest, all around dogs anyhow.

Black is beautiful to me...but I'm a little biased. 

That actualy was not the case. The reason black was introduced was because the Germans wanted to darken the pigment back up of their dogs as the eyes and coats were getting lighter and lighter from breeding liver to liver.

Here is a link to read over from Bruce's website that gives more in depth explenation of the black GSP.

http://www.almostheavengsps.netkennel.com/Content.asp?id=2490&mnuid=9414&HDR=The%20Black%20GSP-History%20and%20Origin