I'm with Red all the way. People who don't actually show their dogs look at this sport from the outside and think "oh how incredibly easy it would be to implement sanction x." Do you not think that we've all wondered the exact same things? But it all comes down to Red's questions- WHAT are appropriate tests for each breed? WHO gets to decide that? HOW do we make sure that said tests are fair?
I asked once before and everyone ignored my question, just as they ignored Red's, please tell me what an appropriate working test for a Pekingese would be? How about a Chihuahua? And yes- what about a Shiba? (Keeping in mind that this is a pack-hunter that hunts wild boar and bear in the mountains of Japan...), An Otter hound? (I'm sure the testing of their natural historic hunting abilities would go over REALLY well...). And once again WHO gets to decide what is an appropriate test for your breed, hmmm? Personally, I would much rather have my own breed club doing that then some random official from AKC, who, let's face it- is NOT going to know my breed as well as I do.
You talk about how AKC should be doing all of these things- I don't understand why you don't feel the same sort of personal responsibility should be held by the breed club and the people actually breeding the dogs? It's really kind of bizarre. After all, breed clubs are the ones with the ultimate responsibility of maintaining and stewarding their own breeds- they're the ones who write the breed standards. Such tests would be much more effective if it were breed clubs that decided on their use, rather than a governing body that has to oversee upwards of 140 breeds. Breed club members could then decide as a whole what test most likely proves their animal's working ability. I know that the Newfie club does a water-rescue test that's quite popular, and Dal clubs have a trail ride test. These titles are incredibly popular, and people strive to obtain them.
Practicality is another thing at issue here. I know many people who have Afghans and other sighthounds that would love to lure course their dogs, but may not because it's incredibly dangerous. This is something I didn't stop to realize until she told me- but dogs are at great risk for tearing ligaments and breaking limbs as they're coursing. And if you try to tell me that it's because they were bred incorrectly may I gently remind you that world-class athletes suffer injuries all the time. In high-impact, fast-paced sports, this happens to the best of them. I run for a division one cross country team, and also go to school with the top women's soccer team in the United States- we're some of the best in the country- but I've never seen the training room empty.
So, many of these breeders choose to title their dogs AFTER they finish their AKC CH. Another good point she made was that just because she CHOOSES not to course her dogs, does not mean they aren't capable of performing. While other people's dogs are chasing plastic bags, hers are successfully running down rabbits in her backyard.
And there are those of us who may respect our dog's natural ability, but not at the expense of the life of another creature. As amazed as I am at what the Shiba can do, I couldn't pursue my desire for a title and some fun over another being's right to life. Some people wouldn't think twice about it, and that's their personal decision. This is mine.
I'm just at a loss as to why no one sees personal responsibility of the breeders as the main issue here? They are, after all, square one.
Finally, I too resent the implication that it takes little work and less expertise to show a dog. Please, by all means come and see what my house looks like when my sister and I are preparing to owner-handle our own dogs, as well as completing university degrees. If you think showing a dog looks so easy, I implore you- please come TRY to groom and show my Shiba bitch in the breed ring
. I'd like to see how easy you think it is then. Please come roadwork her as well. I like to do at least 7 miles a day- but she can easily do a 12 miler with me. And if anyone would pay my entry fees- I would die and go to heaven. Out of my college-student's budget I pay for my own. Newsflash. It ain't that easy. If it was- EVERYONE would have champion titled dogs. It's so easy to discredit the work OTHER people do isn't it? Until you walk in my shoes, read my breed-type notebook, look at the research I have been doing on this breed since I was 13 years old, how dare you. Maybe I sound a bit angry, and it's because at this point I am. In a world where most people are pumping out dogs with absolutely no thought to their futures, you're going after some of the people who work the HARDEST to ensure that their breeds are protected. I do realize that things are not perfect- but please remember that blanket statements about all AKC breeders are not only inaccurate, but hurtful. I work hard at what I do.
Finally, if you really think we ALL don't know what we're doing, please pick up a copy of
Pat Trotter's Born to Win, Breed to Succeed. It is my Bible, and that of many other breeders. While other people my age are getting wasted in bars, I'm roadworking my dogs in sand to look at my animal's gait. I'm measuring angulation on my animals. In effect, there are a lot of WORKING breeders that could learn a thing or two from Mrs. Trotter.