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Comments by SV & AKC Breed judge Fred Lanting, © August 1999 |
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The 100th anniversary of the GSD resulted in several records being set. The highest "gate" ever (50,000 spectators and exhibitors, not counting judges, officials, press, etc. who get in free), the surprising and unprecedented high number of VA females (19), the entry (I haven't counted but it was more than 2500 GSDs, and fewer than 3,000), and the countries represented, all made this the biggest blowout in dogdom.
I led a group of first-timers from Australia, Canada, and the U.S. to the show and a subsequent tour of SW Germany. Incidentally, a much more expensive tour group (heavily advertised) was "deserted" by the organizers, and felt they had to ask ME for explanations, as my group was sitting nearby. Some of the dogs I advised my group to look for did quite well in both the courage test and the conformation competition.
This year again, Rikkor v. Bad Boll repeated his VA-1 (Sieger) win, mostly based on his terrific progeny class, but also by the forfeit of the expected challenge by Leif Noriswand. Rikkor has not been getting the numbers of stud services that others are, mostly because his production of offspring with HD has been uncomfortably high. Given president Messler's statements about the necessity to bring in different bloodlines and improve health, this choice was somewhat disappointing to many. However, we must not think there is a great gulf between the Sieger and other VA and high-V dogs.
We must use the better dogs that represent other lines: VA-4 Timo Berrekasten (the stupendous gray sable with the high withers, good front, and great courage) is one. The VA-5 dog Jello Michelstädter Rathaus is a producer of the best front angulation, reach & drive, and great hips (he has one of the best ZW records re HD). Even deep into the V category, there are dogs with slightly different lines (though getting away from heavy Palme/Q-litter Arminius is as impossible as getting away from Lance in America in the '70s and '80s).
The British kennel Amulree (which moved to Belgium and presented the terrific mover Uri) will be pleased to see him moved up in Bremen in 2000 from this year's V-15; just mark my words. Esko Danischen-Hof was V-14... this son of VA-2 Jango Furstenberg will also move up, I think... his father has had very respectable progeny groups in recent years.
V-1 again this year was president Messler's breeding, Pitt v. Tronje, a dog I met in 1997 and predicted would do well even before he was evaluated at Dusseldorf. Perhaps if his progeny class next year is good enough, Messler will overcome his political- pressure reluctance and give the dog his deserved VA rating. Pitt and sons (such as V-68 Inuny von der Kahler-Heide) did very good bitework in the courage tests.
V-57 was the "great Dane", Karat's Witus, who has been VA in America... This very good but light-colored dog owned by Jimmy Rasmussen should improve his placing next year. Another I predict will move up considerably is V-65 Nilo Wolfsmatte, a cowhocked but otherwise extremely impressive dog who had his first shot at Open Class competition here. V-8 Mischaland's Simon is a beautiful dog who should move up as well.
V-2 Mack v Aducht, a very impressive Rikkor son bred by Messler's brother Heinrich, will have a good chance to be VA in 2000, I believe. The Ulk line will continue to be represented by Vando and Rikkor sons such as V-22 Valium while Lasso Neuenberg's lines will continue through such dogs as Enzo Buchhorn and Math della Loggia dei Mercanti, which is possibly a small improvement over their famous sires' health problems.
Probably the best bitework in the courage tests was that of V-89 Jeck Bildeiche, although Nilo and Timo also drew great applause. V-51 Zoltan Haus Geltinger had a disappointing topline and steep croup, and should not progress further. Quartz Templari (half-brother of Pitt) was VA-7 and had several beautiful progeny as usual. VA-9 (last of the VA males and 1998's V-1) Vando Moorbeck has been getting the reputation for "shooting blanks", but since he has SOME offspring, perhaps there is a problem with stud management. Nice dog!
Conspicuous by their absence were several "greats". I did not find some that MAY have been there, but definitely absent was Leif. The biggest reason, in my opinion, is the scandal about his failing the now-required DNA test: his father, it appears, is NOT Hanno Wienerau after all, but Sasko Noriswand. Look at the photos of Leif and Sasko and you will think it's the same dog! Hundreds of Leif puppies' pedigrees are involved. I submit that the SV will correct the pedigrees, but SOMEbody will have to pay for all that. Following on the DNA discrepancy of Wilson Agrigento's dam's test, this has created large waves in the SV sea. However, if the AKC were to do a similar study, the situation in America would be infinitely worse. You have no idea how widespread is the substitution of studs in the U.S. - there are few of us who are privy to the most reliableof such information.
Other dogs absent or who were there when I blinked (or was in the restroom) include Math, Zapp Monchberg, Odin Hirschel, the Sasko Noriswand son Vax Reichertshof, Largo Breidenbacher-Schloss (who had run away from the helper at an American Sieger Show), and Lenon du Val D'Anzin (who had been sold to an Oklahoma fancier).
In the bitch competition, my favorite since I saw her a couple years earlier, and overwhelmingly the crowd favorite this year, was Chipsi Herdersfarm. If she were to be shown in the U.S., any judge (even the "blind-pig-who-occasionally-finds-an- acorn" type we know in both specialty and all-breed rings) would have to be not only blind but insane not to give her BOB every time. Last year I think she was VA-5, but this year her spectacular performance moved her up in a single jump from somewhere around tenth or fifteenth in line following the "standing exam" to second place. The roar of the teary-eyed crowd certainly did not interfere with Helmut Buss' wise decision to have her leapfrog to VA-2. Americans who brag about the flashy sidegait of their North-American dogs would be astounded by how much better she is. And this Natz Steigerhofdaughter did her work without being wrongly-proportioned, extreme, or faulty in temperament or loose hocks.
The VA-1 bitch Saskia Arminius was a bit more muscled, a tiny bit better conditioned, and had a great front reach as well as drive. Plus she is the daughter of top VA Karly Arminius, and parentage is as important in choosing VA-1 animals as is progeny or one's own qualities. Her handler was visibly nervous and stressed by Chipsi's breathing down their necks. The other great Karly daughter, Anschy vd Magistrale, was absent.
This year Buss surprised the crowd by giving 19 VA awards, but for the 100th show, and the quality in depth, it was well justified. Pressing closely and in very good positions for VA in Year 2000 were two of my favorites, V-1 Karat's Olly (has done well in America) and V-2 Hexe v Steffenhaus. Olly is Jimmy Rassmusen's (a really neat guy) and Hexe is bred and owned by Jane Steffenhagen, who was not here because of a very recent heart attack. Hopefully Jane should recover and see Hexe get a VA in 2000, which will be a fabulous landmark in Bundessiegerschau history: an American-bred dog going VA.
Others to watch next year: V-29 Isis Monchberg and Chipsi's sister Cina (who apparently could not qualify because of some problem earlier in the courage test... perhaps breaking from the heel position too early or something)... the SV is really cracking down on obedience and control during bitework.
Next year, Lord willing, I will again offer my services as guide on a combination Sieger Show and sightseeing tour. I strongly advise all dog fanciers to consider going to Mecca and seeing this biggest and best of all dog shows, even if they do not have a GSD. Contact me if you'd like to join our happy group.
Fred Lanting, Canine Consulting.
mrgsd@hiwaay.net