Aligning Resources and Using Them Effectively

[Chukar12]

I am 46 years old and admittedly reaching an age of reflection, I freely admit the pool isn't very deep so at this point it is a shallow reflection. I participate in a Brittany breed club, support the Nevada Chukar foundation, the NRA, and several other deals that slip my mind and generally only are in it when my wife complains while paying bills. This lifestyle is important to me as it is my heritage, though I can keep it in perspective as it relates to some other cultural issues. Those disclaimers not withstanding I am curious about what others support, to what extent they participate, and how they feel resources might be better aligned?

For instance, the American Brittany Club has a magazine that is largely dedicated to field trialers, akc hunt test and show folks, the agility people get a sniff. As of recent, they are making an attempt to expand the format with "hunting stories" it is assumed that this is in hopes that a much larger pool of Brittany people than the aforementioned that dominate the magazine may find an interest and participate in the club thus raising revenues to help support the breed and to protect its purpose.

I do not think that changing trial formats is the answer, but the practical business side of me says that is you included NSTRA results for Brittany's or other field organizations it would strengthen the demand for circulation. The rub is of course volunteer reporters and or people willing to consistently give time under the demands of an opinionated customer base for no reward other than the participation and work itself. For those of you not active, what would bring you to the table? What holds you back now?

[dan v]

Chukar,

Thought provoking to say the least. My chosen breed, I fear, has not gained the traction I feel is warranted by the quality of dog currently available. I've been a** deep in the breed for a number of years, Dual Ch's/AFC/MH...been around all of it to one degree or another.

But *we* are not making inroads with the hunter, whom I feel is the backbone of any breed. So if the ABC sees that and is trying to address that in their monthly pub, good for them.

I sit on the GSCA National Field Trial Committee. We see dwindling entries, in fact it will surprise me if we even have a NFT in 5 years time. I make a statement about maybe doing something to increase the popularity of the breed with the hunter...heck, more popular with anybody...and I get back, "well, I don't see on how making the breed more popular equals more dogs at our NFT? My opinion is that why not try to broaden the market for a fine breed of dog? Nope, it seems that many *in* the breed prefer the nearly rare breed status.

It's sad, as I think the breed has more *nice* dogs than ever, and that has not transitioned into popularity with the hunter. So I find myself thinking why bother? I'll just be one more of those that rely on somebody else to staff the event. If I choose to come run a dog...fine. If I don't...oh well.

Long story short...if the ABC sees a problem...there's a problem.

[tommyboy72]

In my opinion it boils down to the all mighty dollar.

The rarer or less popular a breed of dog then the more you can charge for them. I own, hunt, breed, and train only for myself and only the English Pointer so this is pure speculation on my part. One thing that attracted me so much to the EP in the beginning was that the breed is so popular and that it is not hard to find very well bred dogs that make excellent hunting companions for relatively inexpensive prices. For instance, in my neck of the woods I can get a nice EP out of excellent bloodlines for $250-$300 whereas if I were to want to buy a Setter it would cost me twice that. I absolutely love the Irish Setter but due to the fact that the dog became so popular in the show circles and most of the "hunt" has been bred out of them I will probably never own another one. Not to mention you will pay top dollar for one, in the vicinity of $750 upward as high as $1500 for an unproven pup with hunting titles in it's pedigree. In another instance, my wife desperately wanted a dog of her own and I told her I would buy her any type of "bird dog" she wanted. She thought she wanted a Bracco Italiano till we started looking for a pup and found out there were only 2 breeders this side of the Atlantic and that pups go for $2500 a piece with a 2 year waiting list on them. I am sure the breed clubs recognize this and attempt to capitalize on it since most of the board members running the breed clubs are most likely breeders themselves. Popularize the breed and you cut into their pocketbooks. What their selfishness forbids is the advancement of the breed. For many years the English Setter bested the English Pointer in field trials during the early years of established field trials in the U.S. until someone took the bull by the horns developed superior EP's and the breed took off and is continuing to develop even to this day as well as to become more and more popular. In my opinion there are not many Setters that can beat a Pointer in head to head competition in the horseback trials, endurance trials, and big running walking trials today. Like I stated at the beginning I do not trial so this is just pure speculation on my part so take it for what it is worth.

[4ShotB]

In my opinion it boils down to the all mighty dollar.

The rarer or less popular a breed of dog then the more you can charge for them.
She thought she wanted a Bracco Italiano till we started looking for a pup and found out there were only 2 breeders this side of the Atlantic and that pups go for $2500 a piece with a 2 year waiting list on them. I am sure the breed clubs recognize this and attempt to capitalize on it since most of the board members running the breed clubs are most likely breeders themselves. Popularize the breed and you cut into their pocketbooks. What their selfishness forbids is the advancement of the breed.

excellent points...i started researching breeds last fall for my first bird dog and was wide open. Some breeds were eliminated by price tag....I could not rationalize the extra money for a "rare breed" when i knew that pointers, GSP's, britts, labs and setters would do just fine and were more affordable/available. Same reason i drive Ford trucks rather than BMW. Around here, if I told someone I had a Bracco Italiano or Deutsch Draathar they would likely suggest I get a penicillin shot! disclaimer: no offense to the Bracco or DD owners, I'm sure they are great dogs

[topher40]

Any breed can run in AFTCA events, doesnt cost any more than any other breed.

[Ryman Gun Dog]

Chukar12,
Heck you are not that old yet, lots of good hunting time ahead and time to hunt and play as many games as you desire. I have never been a big social
advocate, most Grouse hunters are solitary individuals and hunters, so the groups and their individual breed line magazines mean little to us. I do have to admit
I love owning different Setter Grouse dogs and finding a quality breeder who is supplying good Grouse dogs on a repetative basis, is not as easy as it use to be, no matter the breeder or dog line. The Gordon dog has a very limited gene pool to pick from, and for the most part they have three very different type of lines, show, FT dogs and
good Grouse hunting stock, with a few breeders who actually are producing decent dual type dogs.
Just this past season one of our clients, after hunting behind Penny my Gordon Grouse dog, the client ask me to recommend a breeder of equally high grade Gordon Grouse hunting dogs. Dan Thomason at Sure Thing Kennels had no pups on the ground and the client wanted a Gordon Grouse dog, to have me start for him this coming year. Finding another repetatively proven Gordon Grouse dog line for me to recommend was not as easy as it once was. You might be correct, maybe if a club had a magazine that addressed these different type Gordon lines, it would help.
RGD/Dave

[kninebirddog]

Chukar12 The NSTRA results used to get a page when NSTRA was still with American Field.

And as for stories really all that takes is for someone to write something and send it in..I have sent some stuff in and it was printed. They really like to have stuff sent in to be able to use. Just takes members efforts.

We do a lot of functions between some clubs NSTRA RMEF SCI to name a few being active we are more active in the stuff which relates more to what we do.
I saw you were run ragged helping at the Cal City trial but then after over a week of trials futurities championships and another trial that really kept a bunch of people busy.

[Chukar12]

I appreciate the comments, it gives me insight to a question I am not sure there is an answer to. Tommy and some others reference money, I believe that factor is accurate but maybe too specific, is it motivation? Shooting sports and dog breeding in the cultural picture we live in today reside in a morally gray area to the populace. It is not yet illegal, but it feels like the detractors have the momentum. If I use the example again of the American Brittany Club and its membership I may be able to make my point more clearly.
I have been told that the ABC membership roster represents between 2% and 5% of the Brittany owners. The dues are $35 annually I believe. From these dues the events of the membership are partially funded and a pittance goes to legislative representation awareness and or action. If the larger ownership were tapped, and the huge assumption made that the funds are appropriated properly, would the lobby be strong enough to make a greater difference? Would future leaders of advanced skill set arise from a larger pool?
I would hate to think we got motivated too late.

[Ken Lynch]

Chukaqr12 stated "I have been told that the ABC membership roster represents between 2% and 5% of the Brittany owners." Is there anyway in which you can find out what the other 95 to 97% of the Brittany owners do with their dogs? If they are all simply "House Pets" in which the owners do absolutely nothing with the dogs then I think you are ending up with a breed that is no longer a sporting breed dog and there in nothing you can write or do that will generate any interest.

[Chukar12]

I think most of them are hunting dogs, I owned them for 10 years, registered them AKC, guided with them and didn't join the breed club until 24 months ago. Even trialers dont have to join the ABC.

[apachecadillac]

Your 'gray area' comment is very perceptive, and very disturbing.

I don't how to address it. I'm not sure any breed club is in much of a position to make a difference in the political process. Look at the NRA. No one would deny its effectiveness. Yet I have the feeling that the very dynamic of the political process ends up positioning it in an awkward, sometimes extremist posture. And those guys are pros. They are like a bomb squad endlessly defusing bombs, and you just know that one of those suckers is gonna go bang sooner or later. Enough politics.

In terms of getting the larger population of Brittany owners involved in breed activities, I'm probably a good case study--I've owned Brits for over a decade, and have never done anything formal. We have a new pup on the way and this year, for the first time, I'm going to go to a field trial, attend a Fun Day, and also try a NAVHDA event or two. I'll probably find a good fit with one group or the other. I doubt I'd do both. And frankly, the horse back hoo-rah of the field trials predisposes me towards NAVHDA. Who knows? But I'm a bird hunter, not a competitor or a socialite (heck, I'm probably closer to a socialist than a socialite).

[dan v]

Chukar...if you wish people to belong to a breed club, you have to give them a reason why. What is their benefit in belonging? Is it just ABC related, Brit related, or for the good of the sport of purebred dogs? That's the question that needs to be answered.