Posted By Liv2Hnt on 15 Dec 2011 07:54 PM
Dale totally agree on 1 and 2. We are however a HT organization, not a breed registry and not a field trial organization so the overall idea is not to weed out dogs and only pass the top x% that we would consider breed improvers. Those of us with upland experience can identify a point vs other. Im not a judge, so I cant comment on if you can make that same determination in the 1-3 bird contacts in a hunt test. Its hard to change when you have a standard that titles have been granted, but I for one would support multiple passes per title, which may help this issue.

This is however, no different than any other HT organization. We have all seen dogs that manage to get through SH or HRCH that are average markers or dont have the disposition/drive that we would want.

I definately agree that the APLA needs to do some more to promote what APLA dogs have accomplished. Im not sure we can really point out individual dogs, but maybe something recognizing total APLA dogs that got their MH, HRCH or some other high title in a calendar year. Something definately to consider.

You have to change  if you really want to improve.

Let me ask you this- why can't we promote individual dogs achievements? What better way to make an amateur handler who just got his PL dog an HRCH or MH smile even bigger, what better way to promote or dogs.
Look its no secret that Ridely, Rooster, Rosco, Trooper and Kenai are competing studs, competing for whom? APLA bitches right or in house so to speak, a tiny little pool of dogs and people in the world of Labrador retrievers. You think the APLA bragging about one of those dogs  achievements changes that dogs status vs the others and if so for how long.  Hell just today I referred a stud fee away from Rooster to another dog that in my eyes was a better fit for the bitch so maybe I am unique in my opinions, but the way I see it when Ridley gets his MH all those PLs  gain  positive recognition.
 Open up an HRC magazine and you might find your dogs name in it,  you certainly will find some discussion about dogs who passed the Grand or  even passed on, seems to work for them however around here were afraid to say another good dogs name.

Posted By Liv2Hnt on 15 Dec 2011 07:54 PM 

I definately agree that the APLA needs to do some more to promote what APLA dogs have accomplished. Im not sure we can really point out individual dogs, (Why Not ?) but maybe something recognizing total APLA dogs that got their MH, HRCH or some other high title in a calendar year. Something definately to consider.
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We all do it with our sig lines here....

I have been at an HRC TEST where the head judge announced to the folks at the start of handing out the awards...."The APLA  dogs were here this weekend, AND THEY WERE HERE STRONG !"
It definately woke up that hard core retriever group who seem to think if you have Labs that point, it must be taking away something from the retrieving ability.
 It really seems quite simple to me, make good dogs / better dogs the focus and the respect and growth will follow. 

Posted By Liv2Hnt on 16 Dec 2011 04:05 PM
Dale and Frank,

My initial comment was really on how can we point out individual dogs, in terms of medium and standards? A post by the BOD of congratulations... what standards are congratulated? How do you keep the organization looking above board with breeders serving on the BOD, especially if those breeder's dogs are recognized?

I dont see the Stud dogs as competing really. People want certain things, bloodlines. looks etc. I personally turn away 10 for every one I take, so that wasn't my concern or where I was coming from. It was more of how do we do it, what is the most objective way, what do we congratulate for? Im certainly open to the idea, we just have to do it in an objective way. This small group faces enough issues without infighting or transparency issues created by competing breeders.

Maybe we could add a Congratulations or titles page to the website where we could post other RT titles for that year. Or maybe a congratulation section for other titles/achievements in the APLA newsletter. The good thing is there are more and more dogs out there getting 4 x, HRCH, and MH which are the major hunt test titles a dog can get. I would say if you keep running roo in field trials and he gets and FC or AFC title in additon to his PL titles, Ill be the first to suggest we take out an ad in the retriever journal or somewhere else congratulating an APLA titled dog's success in that venue.

The only flip side argument, is do we look hokey congratulating a PL for a MH or HRCH title or provide fuel for the "flushing" folks as ok, great, 5 PL's got their MH last year, the other 245 were not. Things to think about when you consider the good of an organization.

If there is no competition between studs or kennels then why would any one care if the APLA applauds them.

We can t promote pointing labs if we only keep it in house, sorry thats not promotion. and the PF booth only scratches the surface.
Stop being ashamed,  be proud, gloat a little put it out there.
If the APLA runs an add in the retriever journal or HRC magazine 2x's a year stating congrats to all  PL who achieved an HRCH or MH or other big non-apla  title during that season it is not biased. It simply states we are proud of our members and their dogs.
Our new  President knows this very well as last season a team of PL's showed up at a lot of AKC events and HRC events and people took notice of those dogs, unfortunately most  had know idea they were team PL, a team of smack down upland dogs who came up entirely different then the norm. A team because they represent a small group of dogs and a team because they represent the APLA, they represent all of our dogs.

Posted By hooligan on 16 Dec 2011 06:47 PM
I also would like to see the rules changed regarding point and how it is judged. Maybe we need to come to a consensus and send something to the rules committee?

Nothing wrong with having threads on the forum about a dog's accomplishments-no reason not to encourage that. I just don't know how many non-APLA people read this board. Also nothing wrong about putting a "New MH" or whatever title thread on other boards-people do it all the time. Being proud of your dog's accomplishments and telling people about them is great. 

Titles are important-but we need to focus on the quality of our dogs, the quality of our testing and the growth of our organization. When titles are the most important thing, stuff gets lost. Good dogs will get the attention they deserve, because they are out there competing and people are seeing them. That is what is going to promote these dogs-people seeing them.  And while I recognize that promoting highly titled dogs in dog focused venues will garner much desired respect from other dog sports people, there are lots of people in this club like me-people who love having one dog that can do it all, who are proud of our dog's talents, train to the best of our abilities, go to tests when we can, and promote PLs every chance we get.  I'd like the club to have the resources to reach lots of people-people who want a great dog, and who might only ever get a CPR-not just promote the 4XGMPR folks. 

Your absolutely right what i am stating again only scratch the surface point is we need new ideas and we need to do more.