Our European news correspondent

Mrs. Carol Eastwood. ( Antilli )

This is Carol here with VA Antilli Xambi

THE IRISH SIEGER SHOW 2008 -

The 5^th April 2008 bought the 7^th Irish Sieger show to Dublin Ireland, as always organised and run by the German Shepherd Association (GSA) Of Ireland.

In 2002 the first Irish Sieger was held, this was run by the GSA and unlicensed by the Irish Kennel Club (IKC). The IKC stated that anyone entering the Irish Sieger would be banned from future IKC events but despite this the show was reasonably well supported. After the first show the GSA took the matter to the Irish Competition Authorities (ICA) who acted as an ombudsmen. The GSA  won the case and the ICA ruled that the IKC had no sanction over the show and no right to stop the show or stop people from exhibiting. From this the Irish Sieger grew from strength to strength. The GSA wanted the show run under WUSV rules and to grow into the major GSD event in Ireland. With this in mind they introduced age only classes, gun tests for dogs 12 months and over, compulsory identification (tattoo or microchip) and hip score limits for certain gradings etc. All very innovative and controversial in the existing show scene in Ireland. In 2007 they made the monumental step of introducing the courage test and prestigious VA awards, the biggest step forward for the GSD in Ireland and something that the GSA must be congratulated for,  leading the way forward in Ireland. The 2007 show was judged by Herr Wilfred Scheld where he awarded 2 VA ‘s in the adult male class and 3 VA’s in the adult female class. By 2007 the show had grown and this was the last year at the old venue, a new venue was to be found for this year to cater for the larger entries.

So to the 2008 show, this year the judge was Herr E Seifert and the new venue Dunboyne Athletics Club, Dunboyne, Dublin, a very good venue but with a few teething problems that I am sure the excellent committee of the GSA will have sorted for next year. It is worth noting that Ireland has probably one of the most draconian set of anti-dog laws within the European Community, for example, German Shepherds are supposed to be muzzled in a public place, put the courage test into the show scenario and you can imagine the Huge issues that have to be addressed by the show committee.

The total entry was 131 for which 18 males had elected to do the bite work and 12 females. Unfortunately the 2008 show was not without controversy

The controversy was over the judging of the adult classes. The schedule clearly stated that only dogs that passed the bite work would be eligible for the VA. All other entries were eligible for a V grading (subject to hip status and of course quality of exhibit). Indeed in 2007 the V1 male did not take part in the bite work and if my memory serves me right the V1 female failed the bite work, whether you agree with these rules or not this is what was laid down in the schedule and on the GSA website and by which the exhibitors entered, some at considerable expense if they travelled over from England, Scotland or Wales. To give you some idea, we travelled from England and our total cost for the weekend was some £1500 (equivalent to say $3000 or 2000 euros).

Before the start of the adult female class the judge made an announcement via his interpreter that was contrary to the rules, this being that any dog that DID NOT TAKE PART IN OR FAILED THE BITE WORK could only get an SG grading. The GSA committee argued this with the judge that this was not the rule but he would not have any of it, saying he was the judge and this was how he would judge the classes for the adults. With this several exhibitors withdrew their dogs and put them back in the car, please bear in mind that some had come a long way involving 2 days travelling and considerable expense. Herr Seifert then proceeded to judge the adult female class placing a female that HE BRED, that DID NOT do the bite work into the V1 position, also the V3 female did not do the bite work. Totally unacceptable, I believe that letters of complaint have been sent to the GSA and the SV. I would stress at this point that this was not the fault of the GSA and despite their best efforts were unable to persuade Herr Seifert to change his mind. I have since been assured by the GSA that this would never be allowed to happen again and that all future judges would have to sign to say they will judge to the GSA’s rules, which I believe they will be agreeing with the WUSV.

And so to the classes themselves and the many beautiful exhibits, indeed an entry of very high quality. I didn’t see all the classes as we had our own dogs to sort out but will comment on some that I saw.

MINOR PUPPY DOG (6-9 months)

Minor Puppy Dog  VP1  BOSES TRUE COLOMBO

A top quality puppy and for me the clear winner of the class, a son of Armani v Oasis who made the V3 position in the adult male class

A sable son of the VA3 dog, I really liked this young male and to me was the clear winner. A somewhat large male that could have been in better coat condition. I believe he is now residing in Ireland and he should be an asset to the breeders in Ireland.

OPEN MALES (over 24 months)