Piecing Together a Picture of ALAC

Piecing Together a Picture of
ALAC
2015 ALAC Membership Survey Results
A Preliminary Overview
Summary of Survey
Members Emailed the survey 200
Survey opened and begun…..... 166
Completed Surveys ……………… 100
Map of Survey Responses
MEMBERSHIP DEMOGRAPHICS
Who are we?
Age
Education
Lhasa Love
Living With a Lhasa Now?
Breeding Years Exhibiting?
MEMBERSHIP
ALAC Membership Value
Written Comments On Value
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All aspects of ALAC could be improved - specifically the Bulletin, the website,
communications to members and reaching out to new propects.
Why would anyone bother? Sorry all the fellow breeders are so quick to back bite,
will not help a new comer to the breed. Sorry been around far to long not to see this
club and breeders for what they are.
Everything is done on line and I don't have time to set on the computer. I very
seldom get any messages from being a member.
Breeders put too many restriction on newcomers in an effort to "protect" the breed,
which has, in hindsight, actually had a detrimental factor.
People are not very friendly ,supportive or welcoming. To many cliques.
Members Attitudes About ALAC
Likely to Renew
Membership?
Likely to Refer a Friend to
Join?
Written Comments On Attitudes
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The membership has to be more friendly to Lhasa owners who do not show in
breed. hey do not need to make fun of member's dogs who are clipped down. They
may have very high obedience or rally titles. I had boh. The members should be
proud of the members who attain these high goals to show smart the Lhasas can be
and give credit to the members who spend years training the Lhasas (an
unconventional obedience dog !
Why would anyone bother? Sorry all the fellow breeders are so quick to back bite,
will not help a new comer to the breed. Sorry been around far to long not to see this
club and breeders for what they are.
Almost everyone I know in the breed is already a member. Some former members I
know have dropped out for whatever reasons but what reason would I have to
persuade them to re-join? They must have felt they were not getting anything for
their membership.
COMMENTS TO IMPROVE THE CLUB
1-What Could Improve The Club
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I would like to see more written communication. Internet communication is alright
for many things, but not the same as having that piece of paper in front of you. A bimonthly newsletter, would keep people informed and be the written reminder for
many things. With lack of written material, time has a way of spinning forward,
with timeline dates being missed. Example is the National. We all know it is
happening, but until it is upon us, many have put it out of their mind. By the time
written communication is sent, some have already made other plans.
Communication is a key element. When communications ceases, so does the
membership. In order to entice new members, ALAC has to offer them something.
More communication between members re breed itself, not just show records.
When we first started in Lhasas, we were educated by those who were in the breed
before us. we learned about structure, conscientious breeding, good sportsmanship,
and camaraderie. I think we need a unified positive voice for our breed.
Almost everyone I know in the breed is already a member. Some former members I
know have dropped out for whatever reasons but what reason would I have to
persuade them to re-join? They must have felt they were not getting anything for
their membership.
2-What Could Improve The Club
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More communication between members re breed itself, not just show records.
When we first started in Lhasas, we were educated by those who were in the breed
before us. we learned about structure, conscientious breeding, good sportsmanship,
and camaraderie. I think we need a unified positive voice for our breed.
More networking with members? More tech that helps with distance? Webinars?
More interest in Education - a health clearance and testing program set up. A more
transparently run Board so members have first hand knowledge of the clubs
operations. Print board minutes for members to read. Try and become a kinder
more welcoming run club - there are far to many negative personalities in official
positions who just run people off who may have wanted to be more involved in the
clubs activities. Almost everyone I know in the breed is already a member. Some
former members I know have dropped out for whatever reasons but what reason
would I have to persuade them to re-join? They must have felt they were not
getting anything for their membership
3-What Could Improve The Club
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Try to plan activities with equality among members as a priority. There is a sense of
the "good ole boys" preferences in many areas that seriously puts new members
off. Also, consider having the National Wed through Sunday in stead of Monday
through Friday. It makes it very time consuming for most members to plan to
attend ALL the events..
To make members, especially new and newer members, more included in the
organization. I quickly learned that there is an us /them mentality ruling ALAC. I
doubt there are many breed clubs that don't have this to some extent, but at ALAC,
it is divisive.
I feel good about my overall membership experience through the years. I do enjoy a
color copy of the Bulletin, which we now pay for. I am pleased that the club is
working toward more outreach and promotion of the Lhasa to the general public.
Once someone has had a Lhasa it has been my experience that most people always
want a Lhasa in their life. Our challenge is to create interest among people new to
our breed.
LHASA BREEDING
Lhasa Breeding
Breeding How Long?
Year Of Last Breeding?
Lhasa Breeding
How Many Pups Sold
Annually?
Avg. Age of Buyers?
Lhasa Breeding
Is There Adequate
Demand?
Do You Advertise?
Lhasa Breeding
Do You Do Regular Testing
on Your Stock?
Should Club Require
Testing on Stock?
What Could The Club Do to Help
With Lhasa Breeding
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Not sure if ALAC could offer more than what I'm already doing. I breed a litter once
every 3 years and I have a waiting list of owners who have already owned one of
my Lhasas and they want another. I fill those requests with retired champions who
have been spay or neutered before they leave my house.
By doing exactly what you are doing! Marketing the breed so there will be homes
for pet puppies. I only breed when I want something to show, but it is difficult if you
think you will not be able to place your puppies. My last litter, born in April had 5
puppies. I kept one, sold one and gave one to the sires owner and gave two away
because there were no buyers..
Help with breeding is not something that the club should be responsible for. It is
the mentors you have through your lifetime in dogs that give the most help.
Everyone should have good mentors and friends to share information as you never
know when you will need information on something they've experienced.
2 -What Could The Club Do to
Help With Lhasa Breeding
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More EDUCATION!! People do not know how to breed! They do not know how to
look at pedigrees of the sire and dam to look at what traits are dominant. There are
programs available that give the coefficient % of each dog in the pedigree if you do
a certain breeding. With work-perhaps a database could be put together and
breeders could use the program to find out % of dogs in a breeding they are
considering. Depending on how honest people are, the data base could also contain,
coloring, pictures, eye shape, dentition, TEMPERAMENT, etc. It would give
breeders and idea of what the could except from a breeding.
ALAC could be available as mentors for newcomers, especially in providing
objective evaluations of potential breeding stock (if asked), teaching whelping
techniques, and to help newcomers gain a basic understanding of canine genetics in
order to select the best candidates for a stud dog.
Help with breeding is not something that the club should be responsible for. It is
the mentors you have through your lifetime in dogs that give the most help.
Everyone should have good mentors and friends to share information as you never
know when you will need information on something they've experienced.
3- What Could The Club Do to
Help With Lhasa Breeding
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Not sure if ALAC could offer more than what I'm already doing. I breed a litter once
every 3 years and I have a waiting list of owners who have already owned one of
my Lhasas and they want another. I fill those requests with retired champions who
have been spay or neutered before they leave my house.
By doing exactly what you are doing! Marketing the breed so there will be homes
for pet puppies. I only breed when I want something to show, but it is difficult if you
think you will not be able to place your puppies. My last litter, born in April had 5
puppies. I kept one, sold one and gave one to the sires owner and gave two away
because there were no buyers..
Help with breeding is not something that the club should be responsible for. It is
the mentors you have through your lifetime in dogs that give the most help.
Everyone should have good mentors and friends to share information as you never
know when you will need information on something they've experienced.
EXHIBITING
Exhibiting Lhasa Apsos
How Long Have You Been
Showing Lhasas?
Number of Shows You
Exhibit - Annually?
Exhibiting Lhasa Apsos
Do You Show Other
Breeds?
How Far Will You Travel
for a Show?
Exhibiting Lhasa Apsos
Do You Train General
Public About Lhasas?
What Would Help Make the
Lhasa Apso More Popular?
Changes Which Would Help
Make the Lhasa More Popular
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Let people know that these dogs are not snappy, vicious little monsters. If we are
breeding dogs like this we should strive to improve temperments. Mine are not this
wayBy doing exactly what you are doing! Marketing the breed so there will be
homes for pet puppies. I only breed when I want something to show, but it is
difficult if you think you will not be able to place your puppies. My last litter, born
in April had 5 puppies. I kept one, sold one and gave one to the sires owner and
gave two away because there were no buyers..
If a person does not have any pups for sale, they should refer on to another breeder.
If all breeders worked together, then people inquiring about this breed, may
become more interested in it. I have found that when referring, it is much easier to
promote another breeders puppies, as it doesn't appear that you are tooting your
own horn. To praise another's pups, only makes the prospective buyer more
confident that they will be getting a good pup.
2 - Changes Which Would Help
Make the Lhasa More Popular
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Let's stop keeping Lhasas in crates and playpens and start taking them with us out
to the public. Any stores that allow dogs (farm/feed stores, Lowes/Home Depot,
PetSmart, etc.), breed and train for Lhasas to be used as therapy dogs, reading
assistant dogs in libraries, service dogs for disabled or diabetic people. They are
SMART (sometimes too much!), so let's get the function back in form!
Do NOT get rid of breeding restrictions
Educating potential buyers about positive points of buying from reputable
breeders, instead of backyard breeders and puppy Mills.
I think more breeders should think about alternative ways to sell a puppy to a show
home. perhaps co own with right to first puppy and be more available to help with
grooming and showing. This is not a breed that you can sell and not keep in touch
with new owners. Or perhaps if you sell outside your area another breeder that is
closer to the new owner could collaborate with you and assist in some ways. We
have to put aside our differences for the protection of this breed. When I first
started in 1971 they were very popular and to see this decline is very disheartening
Exhibiting Lhasa Apsos
Which Contribute to
Broader Appeal of Lhasas?
Ranking of Most
Challenging Aspects of
Lhasa?
Other Comments From Members
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There needs to be more welcome for pet owners. Nan Danberg runs the Willamette
Specialty, she bends over backwards to make new people feel welcome. That is
missing at many of our shows. Maybe some special articles about people and their
pet Lhasas in the bulletin would be good - there is really nothing in there to attract
someone to buy a Lhasa unless they are planning to show.
Just the videos for the website. I think it is important that people can learn how to
show a Lhasa Apso properly, and not just follow the handler with bad techniques.
People have a hard time understanding how dog shows work. A video or diagram
that would help people understand, so it would not seem so difficult to them when
they start out. It may be why many people start and then stop. They cannot
understand what is going on. Have a video on how to whelp a litter, what to do to
help the bitch during her pregnancy, and during her whelp, and what to do when
finished, and how to tell if she is finished, etc.
2 - Other Comments From
Members
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I really wonder about the effect social media has had on ALAC as a whole. Has it
made people more insular and only involved in their "friends" rather than what is
going on all over the country? Years ago, before we had social media, everyone
advertised in the Lhasa magazines and we knew what was happening all over the
country. Many more people went to the National to show off their dogs - it was the
place to see dogs in person and meet people from all over. Everyone who won got
their photograph taken and then advertised in the magazines. Many people were
interested to see the video of the show and to learn from it. Our entries at the
National have gone down, very few winners get their photos taken and no one is
interested in the video. People are only interested in featuring their dog(s) on their
Facebook or other social media page. Somehow I think we need to make ALAC
more relevant - social media is where its at at the moment. Does ALAC have a
presence on social media? There are cliques and factions that promote themselves
within their group on social media. Shouldn't the ALAC page be the place they could
be promoting themselves?
3 - Other Comments From
Members
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Just the videos for the website. I think it is important that people can learn how to
show a Lhasa Apso properly, and not just follow the handler with bad techniques.
People have a hard time understanding how dog shows work. A video or diagram
that would help people understand, so it would not seem so difficult to them when
they start out. It may be why many people start and then stop. They cannot
understand what is going on. Have a video on how to whelp a litter, what to do to
help the bitch during her pregnancy, and during her whelp, and what to do when
finished, and how to tell if she is finished, etc.
No. I am eager to read the results of this survey and hope that many ALAC members
are interested enough in our breed's future to take the time to answer the survey
questions. I hope the answers provide your committee with a lot of information
that will move your efforts forward in a positive direction. Thanks!!!