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| Filas of Southern California True Brazilian Imports |
Template
Dear President Diane Heath,
Prior to the FBA Spring Fling 2010, I spoke to you regarding some of my concerns. I was shocked to find out that Mrs.
Dianna Segelke was going to be in charge of the show, as I know she has a very different concept of a Fila in her mind when
compared to you and I. You assured me that you had already spoken to her and that you were aware of her past, that you
spoke to her, and that she denied any influence of CAFIB. I have attended shows where Mrs. Segelke has participated, one of
the most recent being an ARBA show in Clairemont, California. At this show, I personally protested the actions of the Judges;
not only were they unfamiliar with the Official CBKC Standard but they actually requested a print out of the Fila standard right
there in the ring. I and many others found this to be quite unprofessional and a clear reflection of their lack of knowledge of the
breed. These judges were also heavily favoring the smaller, more slender dogs which lacked skin, had small heads, were
undersized, lacked of dewlap, and had no croup. Due to their lack of knowledge on the true Fila Brasilero, I feel that they
unfairly judged the Filas competing at that show. I was definitely not the only one disappointed and complaining. Unfortunately
this kind of thing has been happening quite often recently due to the influence that a small organization called CAFIB has had
on newcomers to the breed. I as well as some other people have not attended an ARBA show since this incident. I believe that
many Fila owners in general are disappointed with how our breed is being judged. I find it unfair that there are many Judges
being hired that seem to prefer this "other standard" that in reality is very far from the Official CBKC & FCI standard.
I'm aware that it's not easy to bring Brazilian judges, but we need to find a way to get judges that are qualified enough to be
able to critique the features of a Fila Brasileiro. This was the basis of my concerns for the FBA Spring Fling show held in
California. I was very much looking forward to it as I have a great deal of respect and admiration for the FBA. I know that
they have an excellent organization and I believe they may have simply unknowingly entrusted the responsibility of this show to
representatives whom are not properly qualified. I recall speaking to you with regards to my concerns for that show and you
assured me that there would not be any bias, or influence of anything different from our CBKC standard. Unfortunately this
was not the case, and my concerns came to fruition. To further explain to you what happened I'd like to address a few
different incidents.
After our conversation I was convinced that It was going to a typical FBA show. You can only imagine my surprise when I
reached the venue and saw the set up. It was not the kind of thing I'm accustomed to seeing at an FBA show. The ring was on
a completely bone dry patch of brown grass and dirt, with burrows scattered throughout. The location seemed to be a
residential neighborhood, with houses adjacent on both sides. In fact, one of the neighbors welcomed us with a complaint
when we arrived, asking why they would plan such an event where they had, and if they would be forced to listen to dogs
barking the entire night.
The morning of the show we were all very excited to get things moving, and were proud to take the first "Best of Breed" of the
day with our Male Marley do Lionsden, with no hesitation at all from our Judge, Mrs. Misa Trailer. We also entered several
puppies in this first show, some of my own, and some belonging to my friends and clients. Again we earned "Best Male
Puppy", "Best Female Puppy" and "Best Puppy" overall. We were obviously very proud. Then came the second show. All of
a sudden, they couldn't find Marley's number in their calendar, even after he had taken "Best of Breed" earlier in the day. I
even personally asked why my dog hadn't been called. The person in charge replied to me that the numbers had already been
called, and if my number wasn't there, it meant that I didn't need to be there, and it was already too late for me anyway. I asked
my self how that was possible, knowing that after the first show, they obviously had to have had my dogs number. I had never
moved from ringside. They didn't have a microphone, but regardless I was sitting right next to the FBA representatives so I
heard all the numbers that they called. When I asked again what could have happened, they told me they didn't know what
happened, my name was not listed for this second show. Obviously I was very upset, at that moment I knew that I had just
lost the opportunity to win "Best in Show". I was ready to pack my things and leave, not simply because I didn't win but more
so because I could already see their was some sort of either failure in organization or intended effort to shut out Filas Lionsden
dogs from progressing in the show. I was extremely disappointed but my son and my friends convinced me to stay for the
third show and Temperament Test.
This however was not the end of the errors of the day. When I went to the second show with my female puppy, they told me
halfway through that she was not supposed to be in the ring. When they asked me her age, I told them she was a week short of
three months. But I also made it clear that I had asked Dianne and Trevor Segelke prior to the show, and they had assured me
that it would not be a problem to show her. Regardless the person in charge told me that it didn't matter what I was told, and
that my female puppy was not allowed to be in the ring. I understood that those were the rules, and I accepted. When I
expressed my disappointment, Mr. Segelke said to me "You can give us your puppy's trophy back and we would be happy to
give you your money back for the show". Obviously upset at that ridiculous remark, I asked him if he was out of his mind, my
dogs already competed and rightfully won their trophy and in no way was that going to be stripped from her. Following this
interaction I was deviated to address one of my friends and an incident he had just dealt with.
Mr. Michael Tobey, a proud owner of two of my dogs came to me and informed me that somehow somebody had mixed up
his number as well and their own young adult dog was ignored and not called for the first show. His number was somehow
switched with another dog's and consequently lost the opportunity to be in the first show. Obviously he was also very upset. I
told him how unusual this was for an FBA show, and that I didn't know how this kind of thing could have happened. They
simply told him, "We don't know what happened". This seemed to be too much of a coincidence to have happened to three
Filas Lionsden dogs within a few hours of one another.
Unfortunately that's not the end of it. We were able to enter the third show with our male, Marley. This time, Judge Linda Bear
Trustman would be judge. Now keep in mind my dog won first place practically hands down for "Best in Breed" in the first
show. Somehow this judge placed my dog in last place which makes absolutely no sense. After this, my son (handler of the
dog) asked Judge Trustman what he did wrong. At which point I interjected, also wondering what had gone wrong. Judge
Trustman claimed that an injury on Marleys lower leg was causing him to favor it. I knew that this injury wasn't affecting the
dog at all, and I even had my son walk him again to prove it. How is it that this supposed limp was completely ignored by the
Judge of the first show? If this Judge was properly educated on the true Fila Brasilero she would know that injuries or scars
are 100% acceptable and expected in this breed as they are a working class breed. Many would even go as far as to call them
honorable scars. In no way did this seem to be an accurate point deduction to cause my dog to leap from first place down to
last. I was shocked to hear the congratulatory comment from Judge Linda Bear Trustman to the winning dog of the third
show. Referring to a small framed dog that clearly did not meet the CBKC official standard, she stated, "ladies and gentlemen,
this is the future of your breed." It seemed from this comment that they were somehow attempting to change the standards the
FBA so proudly represents. I want to remind you and any others that may read this letter of the FBA Mission Statement which
reads as follows:
"The FBA will not tolerate the internal promotion by any other organizations or individuals who support standards other than
that of the original version # 225 of l976, revised in l984, issued by CBKC."
Later that afternoon was a potluck following the show and I was again disappointed with a few unprofessional remarks made.
Mrs. Dianna Segelke began an open conversation by emphasizing that there were to be no questions concerning breed
standards to be made to the judges. Not only was I surprised, but also my friends and clients in attendance. How does it make
sense that we not be allowed to ask about the standards used to judge our dogs? I had to speak up and ask why we were not
allowed to discuss these matters and was met with rolling eyes from Judge Trustman and an outburst from Mrs. Segelke
herself, exclaiming that we were not to get into "individual dogs". I and my friends found these responses quite inappropriate.
When another contestant directed a question about attire to the judges, Judge Trustman made a rude remark with regards to
my handlers attire during the third show. We all found these statements and events through out the day to be very upsetting
and unprofessional.
It is with great sadness and disappointment that I write this letter as I don't intend this to reflect any sort of ill will to the FBA
itself. They are a very well organized and respected organization whom have always set and met the standards for which we
should align. I am normally very happy to attend their events, I however feel that these incidents simply reflect and emphasize a
direction that the FBA does not wish to take by allowing unqualified individuals to organize a show in a poor manner and also
allow an independent breeder take it upon themselves to redefine a breed to meet some new standards to simply fit their
personal taste. A true Fila Brasilero has it's standards and if anyone would like to create a new version of the breed, the true
original Fila Brasilero should not be asked to conform to that by any educated Judge.
I believe we should call out to all the true Fila Brasilero lovers and ask them to participate more in these shows so that the true
standards do not get lost under this supposed "future of the breed". We must all recognize that this is one of the main reasons
that we are losing ground at the shows, and also losing memberships. I want to make it clear that I have all the utmost respect
for the Judges, and I understand that in our rings, the Judges are Kings and Queens. But I feel that if we don't speak up and do
something about this, this may be the end of true CBKC/FCI Fila Brasileiros in show rings. We need to find a way to make it
clear to the newcomers that there is only ONE Official Fila Brasileiro standard, and that anything that deviates from that is
simply unacceptable.
It is my wish that we learn from this unfortunate experience and try harder to keep these outside influences from affecting and
destroying our breed, the Fila Brasileiro.
If it's fine with you, Mrs. Heath, I would appreciate your support in having this e-mail published in the Fila Digest.
Sincerely,
Luis Yanez of Lionsden Fila Brasileiros
ps: To prove my point, here is a direct link to Mrs. Dianna Segelke's website in which she links to "www.CAFIB.com"
http://www.delalunakennel.com/contacts-links/
And other CAFIB orientated websites. If this is not a CAFIB promoter, I don't know what is.
Prior to the FBA Spring Fling 2010, I spoke to you regarding some of my concerns. I was shocked to find out that Mrs.
Dianna Segelke was going to be in charge of the show, as I know she has a very different concept of a Fila in her mind when
compared to you and I. You assured me that you had already spoken to her and that you were aware of her past, that you
spoke to her, and that she denied any influence of CAFIB. I have attended shows where Mrs. Segelke has participated, one of
the most recent being an ARBA show in Clairemont, California. At this show, I personally protested the actions of the Judges;
not only were they unfamiliar with the Official CBKC Standard but they actually requested a print out of the Fila standard right
there in the ring. I and many others found this to be quite unprofessional and a clear reflection of their lack of knowledge of the
breed. These judges were also heavily favoring the smaller, more slender dogs which lacked skin, had small heads, were
undersized, lacked of dewlap, and had no croup. Due to their lack of knowledge on the true Fila Brasilero, I feel that they
unfairly judged the Filas competing at that show. I was definitely not the only one disappointed and complaining. Unfortunately
this kind of thing has been happening quite often recently due to the influence that a small organization called CAFIB has had
on newcomers to the breed. I as well as some other people have not attended an ARBA show since this incident. I believe that
many Fila owners in general are disappointed with how our breed is being judged. I find it unfair that there are many Judges
being hired that seem to prefer this "other standard" that in reality is very far from the Official CBKC & FCI standard.
I'm aware that it's not easy to bring Brazilian judges, but we need to find a way to get judges that are qualified enough to be
able to critique the features of a Fila Brasileiro. This was the basis of my concerns for the FBA Spring Fling show held in
California. I was very much looking forward to it as I have a great deal of respect and admiration for the FBA. I know that
they have an excellent organization and I believe they may have simply unknowingly entrusted the responsibility of this show to
representatives whom are not properly qualified. I recall speaking to you with regards to my concerns for that show and you
assured me that there would not be any bias, or influence of anything different from our CBKC standard. Unfortunately this
was not the case, and my concerns came to fruition. To further explain to you what happened I'd like to address a few
different incidents.
After our conversation I was convinced that It was going to a typical FBA show. You can only imagine my surprise when I
reached the venue and saw the set up. It was not the kind of thing I'm accustomed to seeing at an FBA show. The ring was on
a completely bone dry patch of brown grass and dirt, with burrows scattered throughout. The location seemed to be a
residential neighborhood, with houses adjacent on both sides. In fact, one of the neighbors welcomed us with a complaint
when we arrived, asking why they would plan such an event where they had, and if they would be forced to listen to dogs
barking the entire night.
The morning of the show we were all very excited to get things moving, and were proud to take the first "Best of Breed" of the
day with our Male Marley do Lionsden, with no hesitation at all from our Judge, Mrs. Misa Trailer. We also entered several
puppies in this first show, some of my own, and some belonging to my friends and clients. Again we earned "Best Male
Puppy", "Best Female Puppy" and "Best Puppy" overall. We were obviously very proud. Then came the second show. All of
a sudden, they couldn't find Marley's number in their calendar, even after he had taken "Best of Breed" earlier in the day. I
even personally asked why my dog hadn't been called. The person in charge replied to me that the numbers had already been
called, and if my number wasn't there, it meant that I didn't need to be there, and it was already too late for me anyway. I asked
my self how that was possible, knowing that after the first show, they obviously had to have had my dogs number. I had never
moved from ringside. They didn't have a microphone, but regardless I was sitting right next to the FBA representatives so I
heard all the numbers that they called. When I asked again what could have happened, they told me they didn't know what
happened, my name was not listed for this second show. Obviously I was very upset, at that moment I knew that I had just
lost the opportunity to win "Best in Show". I was ready to pack my things and leave, not simply because I didn't win but more
so because I could already see their was some sort of either failure in organization or intended effort to shut out Filas Lionsden
dogs from progressing in the show. I was extremely disappointed but my son and my friends convinced me to stay for the
third show and Temperament Test.
This however was not the end of the errors of the day. When I went to the second show with my female puppy, they told me
halfway through that she was not supposed to be in the ring. When they asked me her age, I told them she was a week short of
three months. But I also made it clear that I had asked Dianne and Trevor Segelke prior to the show, and they had assured me
that it would not be a problem to show her. Regardless the person in charge told me that it didn't matter what I was told, and
that my female puppy was not allowed to be in the ring. I understood that those were the rules, and I accepted. When I
expressed my disappointment, Mr. Segelke said to me "You can give us your puppy's trophy back and we would be happy to
give you your money back for the show". Obviously upset at that ridiculous remark, I asked him if he was out of his mind, my
dogs already competed and rightfully won their trophy and in no way was that going to be stripped from her. Following this
interaction I was deviated to address one of my friends and an incident he had just dealt with.
Mr. Michael Tobey, a proud owner of two of my dogs came to me and informed me that somehow somebody had mixed up
his number as well and their own young adult dog was ignored and not called for the first show. His number was somehow
switched with another dog's and consequently lost the opportunity to be in the first show. Obviously he was also very upset. I
told him how unusual this was for an FBA show, and that I didn't know how this kind of thing could have happened. They
simply told him, "We don't know what happened". This seemed to be too much of a coincidence to have happened to three
Filas Lionsden dogs within a few hours of one another.
Unfortunately that's not the end of it. We were able to enter the third show with our male, Marley. This time, Judge Linda Bear
Trustman would be judge. Now keep in mind my dog won first place practically hands down for "Best in Breed" in the first
show. Somehow this judge placed my dog in last place which makes absolutely no sense. After this, my son (handler of the
dog) asked Judge Trustman what he did wrong. At which point I interjected, also wondering what had gone wrong. Judge
Trustman claimed that an injury on Marleys lower leg was causing him to favor it. I knew that this injury wasn't affecting the
dog at all, and I even had my son walk him again to prove it. How is it that this supposed limp was completely ignored by the
Judge of the first show? If this Judge was properly educated on the true Fila Brasilero she would know that injuries or scars
are 100% acceptable and expected in this breed as they are a working class breed. Many would even go as far as to call them
honorable scars. In no way did this seem to be an accurate point deduction to cause my dog to leap from first place down to
last. I was shocked to hear the congratulatory comment from Judge Linda Bear Trustman to the winning dog of the third
show. Referring to a small framed dog that clearly did not meet the CBKC official standard, she stated, "ladies and gentlemen,
this is the future of your breed." It seemed from this comment that they were somehow attempting to change the standards the
FBA so proudly represents. I want to remind you and any others that may read this letter of the FBA Mission Statement which
reads as follows:
"The FBA will not tolerate the internal promotion by any other organizations or individuals who support standards other than
that of the original version # 225 of l976, revised in l984, issued by CBKC."
Later that afternoon was a potluck following the show and I was again disappointed with a few unprofessional remarks made.
Mrs. Dianna Segelke began an open conversation by emphasizing that there were to be no questions concerning breed
standards to be made to the judges. Not only was I surprised, but also my friends and clients in attendance. How does it make
sense that we not be allowed to ask about the standards used to judge our dogs? I had to speak up and ask why we were not
allowed to discuss these matters and was met with rolling eyes from Judge Trustman and an outburst from Mrs. Segelke
herself, exclaiming that we were not to get into "individual dogs". I and my friends found these responses quite inappropriate.
When another contestant directed a question about attire to the judges, Judge Trustman made a rude remark with regards to
my handlers attire during the third show. We all found these statements and events through out the day to be very upsetting
and unprofessional.
It is with great sadness and disappointment that I write this letter as I don't intend this to reflect any sort of ill will to the FBA
itself. They are a very well organized and respected organization whom have always set and met the standards for which we
should align. I am normally very happy to attend their events, I however feel that these incidents simply reflect and emphasize a
direction that the FBA does not wish to take by allowing unqualified individuals to organize a show in a poor manner and also
allow an independent breeder take it upon themselves to redefine a breed to meet some new standards to simply fit their
personal taste. A true Fila Brasilero has it's standards and if anyone would like to create a new version of the breed, the true
original Fila Brasilero should not be asked to conform to that by any educated Judge.
I believe we should call out to all the true Fila Brasilero lovers and ask them to participate more in these shows so that the true
standards do not get lost under this supposed "future of the breed". We must all recognize that this is one of the main reasons
that we are losing ground at the shows, and also losing memberships. I want to make it clear that I have all the utmost respect
for the Judges, and I understand that in our rings, the Judges are Kings and Queens. But I feel that if we don't speak up and do
something about this, this may be the end of true CBKC/FCI Fila Brasileiros in show rings. We need to find a way to make it
clear to the newcomers that there is only ONE Official Fila Brasileiro standard, and that anything that deviates from that is
simply unacceptable.
It is my wish that we learn from this unfortunate experience and try harder to keep these outside influences from affecting and
destroying our breed, the Fila Brasileiro.
If it's fine with you, Mrs. Heath, I would appreciate your support in having this e-mail published in the Fila Digest.
Sincerely,
Luis Yanez of Lionsden Fila Brasileiros
ps: To prove my point, here is a direct link to Mrs. Dianna Segelke's website in which she links to "www.CAFIB.com"
http://www.delalunakennel.com/contacts-links/
And other CAFIB orientated websites. If this is not a CAFIB promoter, I don't know what is.
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