It is some time from one first started in this breed, however when it gets the grip of you you hooked, and that's the way it has been for myself. I owned my first shepherd some years ago to many than I care to remember however I desired to acquire the correct specimen of the breed which would let me show and as so many things in life when one becomes involved with I prefer to ensure I have the best I can.
I took some time and learnt what I can and proceed to become involved with the German Shepherd Dog Club of Northern Ireland, where after going through the Club was asked to stand for committee and done so, where after being elected onto the committee stood for several years as a committee member of the German Shepherd Dog Club of Northern Ireland.
Then there came another training club which was formed in Comber, and one while still serving on the committee of the G.S.D.C.N.I., joined this other club which late was to become the Ulster G.S.D. Club. We will come back to that later, as some time after taking on the role of committee member was put forward for the role of Secretary of the G.S.D.C.N.I., and was dually elected as Secretary.
It was my privilege to serve the membership
for the term of two years in this role where in this term of office seen
the Kennel Club try to remove the CC's from the club and was
my
privilege to act on behalf of the Club and Membership to appose this. I
as Secretary of the Club had the role of acting a club representative to
the Breed Council, where I attend several meeting on behalf of the Club.
After a long and stressful time as Secretary I relinquished this role to
another and was happy to hand over the role to another
parties. I while
in this role Judged my first show for the Club being a internal breed
match, and shortly after was asked to judge a local breed open show.
One again through this time has had the
privilege to be the ring steward on behalf of the GSDCNI and Ulster GSD
Club, and also for several other clubs through them and on behalf
of
these clubs, which is an excellent experience and would advise anyone
who has the chance to take it, more over at the larger championship
shows, where you can see the dogs in a different light and picture from
that outside the ring.
We have campaigned our stock in Ireland
and also in the UK, where we always have been in the higher end of
the classes, and we
enjoyed the fun and the competition
with our piers and found many good friends over the years here in
Ireland and over in the UK as well, It was my privilege to see some
of the more prolific dogs who over the years have had their place in
influencing the breed in the UK and Ireland. I seen the
introduction of some of the first
imports and seen the breed in the transformation to the continental
type
and strengthen through dogs like Ch.
Cito and Int Ch. Rosehurst Chris. Then seen the likes of Cello v
Ashcera again influence the breed and type yet once again for the
betterment, there has been so many in the last few years, but these
are name just a few.
I have had the privilege to judged the
Breed at several shows from breed matches through to of late
Championship Shows:
I look forward to other judging appointment as the come about, well that's enough about me
German Shepherd Dog Club of Northern Ireland Breed Match Newtownards and District Open Show Bandbridge & District Open Show The Ulster German Shepherd Club Breed Match Kilkenny & District Championship Show { Largest entry of GSD's ever seen at this show } Navan & District Championship Show