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The Oregon Tail
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THE BEST EVER!!! BATTLEGROUND, WA. The GSDC of Oregon's Temperament Test was a HUGE success, not just with German Shepherds, but also with Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs, Collies, Border Collies, Briards and Bouviers. A total of 46 dogs ran through the GSDCA's official Temperament Test which was officiated over by Robert Penny, long time Chair of the GSDCA Temperament Test Committee. Originally planned for a 1-day event, it was expanded to a 2nd day to accommodate the demand. The Temperament Test was chaired by Donna Schoonover, Herding Chair of the GSDCO, assisted by GSDCO members Nancy Ward of Brigand's Hideout, the test location, Chris and Jim Primmer, Terry Cochran, Ruth Scheubler, Dennis Lowman, Shar Emmons, Betty Ashdown, as well as Karen Weidenbener and Clary Dowes of the GSDC of WA State, and Andy Potter of the GSMD club. These hard workers made the test run smoothly and efficiently and kept everyone in good humor. Robert Penny, a long time handler and trainer, helped design the temperament test program for the German Shepherd Dog Club of America, and has headed up the committee since its inception. Penny was a well known handler of German Shepherds in the show ring, having handled, among others, the 1966 and 1968 Grand Victor Ch Yoncalla's Mike. Penny, a lifelong German Shepherd dog lover, got into training while at the USC Law School, at the encouragement of Lee Duncan, trainer of Rin Tin Tin, and quickly found himself handling some of the top show dogs in southern California and then nationally. He judged many large specialty shows and futurities when professional handlers could do so. After some 40 years, Penny finally hung up his show lead some 8 years ago. He still trains and evaluates dogs and is recognized as an expert on dog temperament and behavior by the courts in California. The test consists of a course with different sections. The first is a "Neutral Stranger" who ignores the dog but talks with the owner. The next is a "Friendly stranger" who happily interacts with the dog. Next is a hidden rattling noise followed by a gun test. Then the test continues past an umbrella snapping open into the dog's path. Different types of footing is next (plastic sheeting and a long metal grating. the last stop consists of a "Weird stranger", a 3-stage test to see how stable a dog is when faced by a strangely acting person who becomes more and more threatening at the end. The tests are designed to build up on each other, adding increasing stress while observing the dog's reaction and recovery. Ratings are given in a range from +3 to -3, 0 to +3 on the exercises are passing while one minus number will lead to failure. The higher numbers are not necessarily "better", they are just indicators that the dog may or may not be suitable for certain activities. Any passing score indicates a good, sound temperament. The helpers at this event were experienced dog trainers who were able to maintain consistency throughout the day. "Having an organized club and efficient helpers is vital to having a successful test. This club excelled on all counts", said Penny. "In fact, their "weird stranger" is about the best I have seen. I wish I could take him around the country with me. The co-operation between the various breed clubs has also been superb. This test can be used for all breeds provided the evaluator is familiar with the breeds involved as all breeds have different purposes and therefore variations in reactions." Throughout the day dogs of various types participated in a full range of activities. While waiting their turn at the temperament test, many of the participants took part in the herding instinct testing also being offered at this facility. Between the two test venues was a large building with an agility course set up and also a rally obedience ring. There was truly something for any fancier. Everyone took a break for a pot-luck lunch which offered a wonderful variety of entrees, salads and desserts, much of which was provided by the members of the Collie club who ran many dogs through the tests. "We enjoy having other clubs participate and encourage cooperation between clubs of different breeds," said Schoonover, chair for the GSDCO. "We all want good, sound dogs and work hard to test our breeding stock to make sure they meet the highest standards. Be it GSD, Collie or Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, we all want SOUND dogs. Working together helps us all have a better event." The GSDC of Oregon has held a number of temperament tests over the years but all agreed this was the biggest and best ever. Any doubts were erased by the many smiling owners who headed home at the end of the day. DON'T FORGET: GSDCA C-COURSE NATIONAL Herding Trial Sept 30-Oct 1 - Brigand's Hideout, Battleground, WA. Just In: |
BEST IN SHOW! Ch VonHamm Bedkar Leather N' Lace first GSD to win back to back Bests this year. "Back to Back wins are spectacular, but best of all, I finally got to see her win the top award", Randy Hamm, breeder/owner of the top dog at the Kelso-Longview Kennel club shows, managed to say while beaming with an ear-to ear grin. "Stevie", as she is known to her friends, is one of two winning sisters from a litter bred by Randy and Lisa Hamm's VonHamm kennels and co-owned with Kay Reamensnyder of Bedkar Shepherds, owners of the litter's sire. Hamm is usually home caring for the dogs while Stevie, Kay and their handler, Julie Hamasaki, travel on the show circuits. This time Randy was there and his joy was undeniable. Stevie is currently ranked as the #2 German Shepherd Dog in the country based on show wins. Being a very small hobby kennel and limiting the show schedule to give Stevie plenty of time to enjoy life at home makes this top ranking so very special. "Stevie was from our last litter. We are finally having another one, having bred Stevie's winning littermate to one of the top young males in the country. We are looking forward to the next generation of show dogs. But if this litter is like the last, there will also be littermates who work for a living in search and rescue as well as much loved family members" said Hamm. DOCK DOG TRIAL - You've seen it on ESPN - a long dock, a body of water, and a Lab running, jumping as far as possible and finally splashing into the lake and retrieving that toy. An event that was designed for those hard bodied retrieving fools and usually won by a Lab or other Retriever. Well not this time!!! There were 5 "waves" and Bailey won ALL of them -
BAILEYROO vom HOLTZBERG, CGC, RN, CD, CDX, NA, NAP, OAP, NAC, NGC,
NJC, TN-N, TG-N, WV-N, OAC, OJC, OCC, TG-O, TG-O, WV-O, TN-E and now we
add NDD (NOVICE DOCK DOG)
Bailey and her talented owner/trainer Connie White have been spectacularly successful in so many venues! GSDCO MEMBER GOES SELECT IN CANADA! Betty Ashdown was so looking forward to the show but she was not feeling up to taking two trips back east and had to make due with hearing the results via phone. Her bitch Chyna (Ch Jantar's China Lake of Witmer) was heading for the Canadian national specialty in Ontario and after her recent wins in the maturity and then her quick finish of her American Championship, Betty had high hopes for her at the Canadian national show. Not being a Canadian Champion meant that she would have to be shown in the classes and compete for the points, She walked into the ring and caught many an eye, including the judge's. Chyna was awarded WINNERS BITCH by judge Lee Brown and that enabled her to compete against the Champions. When the dust settled, Chyna had also caught the eye of judge Morton Goldfarb and earned the coveted title of SELECT. Asked about future plans Betty quietly responded," I am definitely heading for St Louis and the American Nationals. Chyna will be competing there and we are very hopeful. This beautiful dark bitch has SHOW DOG written all over her and she loves performing in the big ring and in front of large crowds. She will have her chance to compete with the best in the country. But no matter what the result may be, I just love watching her and will be thrilled to see her there." |
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Websites to check out: Have you seen the new
www.AKC.org
website? It has a face lift. Take a look.
Also visit
www.GSDCA.org, the official site of the GSDCA. If you have good websites bookmarked for training, health issues, or other dog-related sites of interest, please share them with us. |
