I would look at the density of good cold tracking dogs/hounds at present and them look at the probable requirement for dogs/hounds of this type in UK. Them I would assess the difference in quality...is it a yawning gap? It would appear not in other countries. The European trackers (including breed specific trackers appear more open to working with others than here in UK, which leaves me scratching my head.
What leaves me scratching my head Ben is you have been offered to come and do an artificial track with your dog on more than one occasion after you asking me to look at you and your dog on a track and everytime you've not managed,so you have been offered more than once to "work with others",you have attended our Strathdon seminar and said it was fantastic,so again we are helping others also.
So I do not understand when you say we are not open to working with people.We are helping all,including yourself as a member of an Association with unrecognised tests and teams.
That is where the working together stops,why......please read below.
We in UKSHA work to recognised and respected standards in 15 different European countries,the ISHV was formed in 1930.
The support we have from the German societies is due to us following these rules,they were formed in (Verein Hirschmann)1894 and (KBGS)1912 respectively.
There is only one way into these societies in the UK,that is through UKSHA.
No other way,leave UKSHA or join any other organisation and the membership would be cancelled.
People wishing to join UKSHA from other tracking organisations would have to leave these,otherwise there will be no membership within UKSHA.
Ask Joachim and German,they will tell you exactly the same.
Waynes pup showed you what our dogs are capable of,that was a 5 month old pup.
Not an experienced dog,just a little play track.
We follow rules others do not,this is why we have recognised standards and work at a high level.
As Wayne states its not difficult if one wishes to follow the rules and learn.
We have the opportunity to get dogs for UKSHA members who are not in the clubs in Europe,we have the opportunity to do courses here or in Germany for these members and the clubs in Germany have also said they are willing to support by sending judges here to judge our teams on our recognised tests,until we have judges here,which should not be long away.
All recognised and approved by the Associations that are responsible for such a high level in Europe.
The societies in Europe that recognise us are open to us having members who wish to perform at this level,to join us within UKSHA and then have access to all that is there.Support from 15 European countries.
The ISHV is only open to performance bred,conformation bred and healthy BGS and HS.
If people with other breeds wish to join UKSHA,that is no problem,their next dog would have to be an ISHV BGS or HS and follow our rules with the dogs.
All the time tracking and learning with the dog they have at the moment.
It is open to anyone who has work for their dog and can follow the rules to benefit the breeds and constantly improve them and their working ability,conformation and health status.
We are a breed specific organisation for a reason-we are specialists,however,we all started somewhere,myself with Labradors,I know exactly what breeds can and can't do.
I also still work a Labrador.
Some of our members had UK bred BGS/HS and work them well also,even if some of them have health issues.
Until you see HS or BGS after a driven hunt coping with all the distraction that entails I'm afraid you will not realise the "yawning gap."
Even dogs that are not within the clubs have differences,some are very very good,others not so,what we are doing is attempting to get the very best chance of becoming a really very good team of handlers and hounds,working at Internationally recognised and respected standards.
It is here where the stumbling block is though as people prefer an easy way rather than one which takes a few years to build even when our methods are tried,tested,proven and recognised.
Teaching a handler should be the first step,not with the dog,before getting the dog.
Patience is a virtue and often brings larger rewards.
One of our new members has a dog coming in November,he has only been a member for 3 months.
He is following all of our rules and has been welcomed into UKSHA and the clubs in Europe subsequently.
UKSHA is open to people who have the work,are honest,trustworthy and have the dogs best interests at heart.
This member turned down at least 2 BGS born here in the UK,he is about to reap the rewards.
All the best
George
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