For the last 35 years I have been involved with the German Shepherd Dogs both in the working dog and so called show dog. If I am completely honest I get more enjoyment from working our beloved breed than showing in the breed ring. At the tender age of 18 years I purchased my first GSD at the then enormous price of fifteen pounds. My father stated that I must be mad to spend over 2 weeks salary on a GSD puppy. I started attending obedience training once a week with my young dog who I named Chan. I watched the members and their dogs intensely as they worked together, I also listened to the trainers advice to the members, on how to get the best from their dogs. When Chan was 4 months old I joined the beginners class we both learned very quickly he was eager to please and easy to train, by the time he was 10 months of age we were working together in the more advanced class, the top class, I felt very proud, I had learned so much from my first GSD Chan. Around two years later I purchased a grey sable bitch who was nearly two years old, anatomically she was quite good but her temperament very bad being very nervous. I was convinced she had been treated badly, beaten, kicked etc, how very wrong I was. As usual I was attending training class when I was introduced to an extremely well spoken gentleman who gave me some very good advice regarding bloodlines etc. I was completely amazed at this mans knowledge of the German Shepherd Dog it was the start of a friendship that has lasted over 30 years and continues to this day, the man, Brian Wootton. Some people will disagree with me, every one is entitled to ones own opinion, but I think all will agree Brian Wootton's knowledge of the GSD both in the working and breed bloodlines is something to be admired by all. Regards to myself as much I enjoy breed shows both as a spectator and also entering I am of the opinion that if we continue down the path we are now talking it will be all to futile. Until we fall in line with all the other country’s that have restrictions I. E. hips, working quaifications, survey's etc we will continue to slide down to the bottom of the ladder. I really despair at the way our system works at the moment. In view of all this I have decided to turn my attention to WORKING BLOODLINES, but retaining a keen interest although reduced somewhat in showlines. I have and will continue always to be a very strong supporter of working our beloved GSD's, Hip x-rayed stock, breed surveys, etc instead of us all talking about it let us put our shop in order once and for all and do it.