A European Weimaraner Specialty Show?

[Irena]

Mr Wetdog and I went to the Baltic Winner in Lithuania with an Irish Wolfhound person, and she told us that an Irish Wolfhound club (I think they even have a European organization for that) holds European specialties for IW's regularly (once in 2 years), and not only that, they have a conference each time too where guest speakers present their research on IW health problems, breeding etc etc etc. It sounded like a superb idea to me. Do we have ANYTHING like that for our breed, and if not, what does everyone think about it? The IW people invite several judges to their specialty to judge different classes, etc. It just sounded really interesting to me. I know we have clubmatches etc in separate countries, but how about an all-European Weim show & conference?

[marjolein]

This sounds like a good idea to me!! As long as you have breed specialists, I think people will be interested in this kind of shows. Only problem is, that I think we won't see many German dogs. They're usually not that interested in showing (or maybe I'm wrong??) and it's especially the German dogs I'm interested in, but that's something personal.
Good idea!!!!

[Irena]

OK, do you think if we asked the German Club to co-operate with us in this (as the country where the Weimaraner originated!), we'd get more German people interested in this? We could ask them if their members could present some reports on anything Weim-related at all? (Just reading their club journal I have a feeling they would be able to tell us a LOT about it all )

P.S. I don't want to sound like I'm completely crazy, and I really don't know who would be able to organize anything like that, so don't get me wrong, I'm not saying we have to be the ones to do it. Just thinking that if the Irish Wolfhound people have been doing this, as well as many other breeds, then Weim people probably can, too, and maybe it is already being done and I'm the only one who is not aware of it. ;D

[Katja]

That´s great idea Why people haven´t notice that before....

Mayby wices thing is first send message to all european weimaraner clubs, if they will be intrested it´s easier because that way all weimaraner people will have the message...

[Alkemist]

I too think it's a great idea.

Even if it took a few years to organise the first one, it can only get easier after that...

Nina and Jensen

[Wetdog]

It shouldn't take years to organize--The Weimaraner Club of Greater Kansas City holds ours yearly, and we are a small club--I'm sure the members of this board could do the same.
On request AKC will send all the necessary materials and brochures detailing how to proceed and what to do, if someone is interested, my bet is that FCI has the same type of services available.

[Irena]

I'm bringing up this subject again. So how many of us here think it would be interesting and necessary? To gather and evaluate our european weims at a separate event, possibly with some hunt tests or contests, and competitions such as "best head/movement" etc etc etc? With progeny groups, kennel competitions and such? And of course with the regular classes, Male/Female Puppy In Show, Junior In Show, and BIS? Or is that already done in all individual countries and people wouldn't care to drive, say, from Poland to Belgium for that kind of thing?

[daniela]

So like the weimaraner equivalent of the Eurovision song contest, except no singing?

I think this is a great idea but it would take an awful lot of organising!

I guess you would need a European committee of some sort?

First step would be to write to all the main breed clubs in Europe and then take it from there?

Each country could take it in turns to host the event.

It's ambitious but a great idea, I just wonder how it could all come together?

[Kobie]

I'm also 'pro' to this idea !

Of course, a huge place should be available, if there would be hunting tests to ....

I think it's very important to do some hunting tests as well next to the showhappening, to collect a lot of interested people.

I would be very interested, but I think not many people from Belgium would drive far for this event....

I would say a central country would be the best place for all....

[Irena]

daniela said:

So like the weimaraner equivalent of the Eurovision song contest, except no singing?

LOL!!!! ;D ;D ;D

Yeah, somewhat like that, I suppose. I don't know, for me it would be a great opportunity to see the dogs in person, not in pictures - so much can be discovered. Movement, temperament... I do realize that a lot of people just travel to shows in different countries and get to see dogs in person, but I see this as kind of a major event, for Weimaraners only, in a relaxed atmosphere (as much as possible)... And as productive as possible. I for one am really interested in having some guest speakers/presenters. About the topical issues in our breed in Europe AND abroad (because we do import and export), about each issue separately and in detail, even presentations about Weims in different countries.... A nice movie to watch all together in the evening, of course with a Weimaraner in it... ;D Which would hopefully make the event more about FUN and togetherness than wins and prejudice, because it would be something that everyone can relate to.... Hopefully to get inspired from someone who does more with Weims, and to see how it's done. Play videos and DVD's from events or training sessions, discuss common problems. Learn more about handling in the conformation ring. Etc etc etc etc.

Maybe I'm just daydreaming here and it all could turn into a much more boring and ugly event with hurt feelings and bad memories, I don't know.

[Irena]

kobie said:

I would say a central country would be the best place for all....

Do you know of any? ;D ;D I definitely agree with that though. Wouldn't make much sense to organize it e.g. in Latvia for sure. ;D

[Kobie]

I even think a weekend of 2 days showing and hunting would be nice. Especially, because some breeders need to drive so far to get to this event.
For example, one CAC at day one could be awarded and one CAC the second day....
This would be very interesting, conserning the long drive, longer time to relax and see abroad dogs and meet breeders from around Europe....

[Kobie]

Middle Europe contains different countries like
Germany, Switserland, Poland

Maybe Germany would be a great place to do a lot of huntingtests. Like Marjolein said somewhere this forum, the German people mainly do hunting with their dogs, so ideal for this part of the event.
Germany is also a very large country with lots of space....

Actually, I would love to see once a American Judge judging together with a European judge a show in future ....

[Alkemist]

I'd also appreciate 'chances to learn'. In the UK it is not easy to get to go bloodtracking, or hunting, and it would be great to be able to have a go.

One thing I'm also really keen about is maybe getting a panel of 'specialists' from different countries to give you an HONEST critique of your weim to take home.

Nina and Jensen

[daniela]

Is there no way, say, a two day event could be tagged on to the end of one of the breed shows in Europe?

For example, I know that Belgium has a club match of some sort, is there no way that a european speciality could be tagged on to the end of an event such as this?

[Kobie]

I would also love the idea to get the chance to learn something...

Like you said Jensen (or Nina), a initiation of tracking would also please me a lot. We don't have this in our country

I would prefer like you said a team of judges, to have a objective judgment....

[Irena]

kobie said:

I even think a weekend of 2 days showing and hunting would be nice. Especially, because some breeders need to drive so far to get to this event.
For example, one CAC at day one could be awarded and one CAC the second day....

I think that's a brilliant idea. I've been thinking about how to have more than one judge at such an event. Say, some shows ask one judge to judge the females and another one to judge the males, but probably that leads to very different dogs competing for the BOB in the end? This idea is superb, I think. Say, have a European judge one day, and an American one (e.g.) the next, and everyone is pleased.

(from Alkemist) One thing I'm also really keen about is maybe getting a panel of 'specialists' from different countries to give you an HONEST critique of your weim to take home.

Yes! I would love that too. I stopped to listen to a judge judging Dobermans at a show here because she was explaining WHY she preferred this dog over that one, and I particularly liked it that she kept saying "but TODAY this dog is the first". I was humbled by her style. I would love to have such proper judging (though it would take time) and hopefully comments for everyone else as to why this dog was preferred over others.

(from Daniela) Is there no way, say, a two day event could be tagged on to the end of one of the breed shows in Europe?

For example, I know that Belgium has a club match of some sort, is there no way that a european speciality could be tagged on to the end of an event such as this?

Something to think about too!

Thanks so much for your replies and comments. What a great brainstorming session.

Also, I forgot to include Agility demonstrations (at least demonstrations) and some "tricks" and fun stuff. I do realize that we'd need a week to include it ALL, but I'm just throwing out ideas too. And Weimaraners ARE after all versatile!! Not only as hunting dogs!

[Jaeger]

To organize an event you like Irena, you have to have almost a week. A forum or something. You have to have a very good speaker. Workingtests, one or two days.Judges for the working test. Agility, judges for agility. Obedience, also judges.
A show. You need judges who are able to write show critics. And not one liners like "Nice dog, a little too good home"or something like that. Than a central place and a Weimaranerclub in Europe who can organize thet kind of event. Have to write a scenario for that. Think if you get the people together you need to plan it for 2007 or 2008 cause many judges are already spoken for in 2006 and also 2007

[Irena]

jaeger said:

Think if you get the people together you need to plan it for 2007 or 2008 cause many judges are already spoken for in 2006 and also 2007

Good point.

[Alkemist]

And also possibly somewhere that peeps can camp with their doggies - in the UK when you go to a show or agility competition there is a campsite in the showgrounds. It would make it easier for people to attend.

Nina (and Jensen)