Magical world of lethal Whites

[danisgoat]

I dunno... even if it only affected a small percentage of puppies born, I'd really, really like to see an end to double-merle dogs showing up in the Stud Dog class at our national. The possibility of getting a good breeding animal from a merle-merle breeding just doesn't outweigh the intentional breeding of animals who will likely be blind and/or deaf. Unless they're the last two Shelties on the planet, there just isn't a need to breed two merles to each other.

You could argue that a "good" breeder would euthanize any double-merle puppies who are obviously blind/deaf, to "spare" them the suffering, but I don't think I'd like to be friends with someone who's a-OK with intentionally producing puppies who s/he plans to euthanize at six weeks, on the chance that s/he gets a "good" one to be used for breeding.

Exactly the point I was trying to make Megan.

Thanks.

 

[danisgoat]

and people will stop registering merles as merles just to get around it.

Poodle people frequently mis-register their dogs, on purpose. The call blues "black", dye them, finish them, then maybe change the registration.

You will never stop it all....but it is now viewed as OK to do.

To me, that is wrong.

If double merles are not allowed to be registered, it will stop some of the breeders who are at the shows and are proud of their double merles. Some will cheat, but it WILL help.

My question is, what is the problem with the AKC trying this? Why the adversity to making this a law? I am not getting that.

 

[tofu pup]

My question is, what is the problem with the AKC trying this? Why the adversity to making this a law? I am not getting that.

The AKC is generally against anything that would discourage registrations. Registrations mean income, and there are simply more BYB/puppy mill/commercially-bred puppies to be registered than responsibly-bred ones. The AKC is happy to use people like us (who compete with our dogs, breed to the Standard, do health checks, etc.) as the public face of the fancy - but when it comes down to who's actually more important to the AKC, it's all in the $$$. Breeders like your mom and mine don't pay the rent on the Madison Avenue offices.

I think there is also a general reluctance to meddle in the affairs of parent clubs, even if doing so would be in the obvious best interest of the breed in question. The LUA Dalmatian controversy (which should be a no-brainer, and in fact does seem to be a no-brainer to anyone who's in dogs but not in Dalmatians) is a perfect example of this.

 

[danisgoat]

The AKC is generally against anything that would discourage registrations. Registrations mean income, and there are simply more BYB/puppy mill/commercially-bred puppies to be registered than responsibly-bred ones. The AKC is happy to use people like us (who compete with our dogs, breed to the Standard, do health checks, etc.) as the public face of the fancy - but when it comes down to who's actually more important to the AKC, it's all in the $$$. Breeders like your mom and mine don't pay the rent on the Madison Avenue offices.

I think there is also a general reluctance to meddle in the affairs of parent clubs, even if doing so would be in the obvious best interest of the breed in question. The LUA Dalmatian controversy (which should be a no-brainer, and in fact does seem to be a no-brainer to anyone who's in dogs but not in Dalmatians) is a perfect example of this.

Thanks Megan. I guess in the back of my head I know that $$$ is the bottom line.....I just want to believe that they would not support something that creates health problems. It is very disheartening when you realize the truth.

 

[tofu pup]

Thanks Megan. I guess in the back of my head I know that $$$ is the bottom line.....I just want to believe that they would not support something that creates health problems. It is very disheartening when you realize the truth.

I do think that there are some very good people at the AKC. But - I think we need a new system. We are so focused on the prestige and so reliant on the money that, in the end, decisions are made that are not in the best interests of the purebred dog. On the one hand, the AKC needs/wants to be and remain the preeminent authority on purebred dogs in the US - but that costs a lot of money (think about the Museum of the Dog, the college and vet school scholarships, the nice offices, the big meetings - all of these are fantastic things, but they're expensive). If the money is only coming from puppy registrations, ethical challenges are bound to arise.

I'm very intrigued by the idea of breeds being managed and registered solely by their parent clubs (think ASCA Aussies, the original Cavalier club, the JRTCA). Unfortunately, I can just imagine the kinds of problems that could arise! But, it might be the better option.

 

[ClantyreSheltie]

.I just want to believe that they would not support something that creates health problems. It is very disheartening when you realize the truth.

Look at every single breed with squishy faces who can't breathe (half the toy group), look at every single breed whose bodies are so crippled they can't walk (GSDs, all kinds of Bulldogs, Pekingese), look at every single breed who has a life threatening genetic condition that could be fixed by selectively cross-breeding into another breed. Realize that AKC allowed the inbreeding of Standard Poodles to the point that most of them seize, bloat, or are dysplastic. Realize that AKC will not take the power away from the parent clubs who perpetuate these diseases and sickly dogs.

AKC does nothing but register dogs. I would like to see them stop registrations of any dog with coefficient of inbreeding higher than 25% at 15 generations, and incest breedings (parent to get, grandparent to grandkids, or siblings). I would like for the AKC to mandate a performance title of some kind before a dog is awarded a conformation championship, and another title before they are awarded a grand championship. Any idiot dog can get a CD, or a Novice Jumpers title. And if your dog is too skitzy to compete in those venues, neuter it.

 

[mbfrench]

While I appreciate everyones thoughts about breeding merle to merles,AKC rules,regulations, this thread was started merely to share a story about an amazing dog,that touched alot of lives in a positive way.

While we all know the serious outcome of this kind of breeding,I wanted to share thoughts on how Possom did learn to do many things in his short life.And in my opinion,although I do not know all the facts about Possom,I do not agree with the end result of him being PTS.

I am looking at Possom,as an owner of a lethal white,and it is clear to me,even though thru the disability,they can have & do have a quality of life,that should not be wisked away..

 

[danisgoat]

While I appreciate everyones thoughts about breeding merle to merles,AKC rules,regulations, this thread was started merely to share a story about an amazing dog,that touched alot of lives in a positive way.

Sorry Michele. The point of your thread was not clear, and your last sentence in your first post opened the door to this discussion when you stated something to the effect of, you only wish the practices of breeding merles to merles to stop.

Since your purpose of this thread is just merely the sharing of a story, I am going to move this thread out of the "Behavior" area to the "chat" section where stories belong. That will make things a bit clearer to everyone that you are not looking for a discussion on the breeding of this dog that resulted in the biting behavior, but rather just a sharing of Possum's life.

I hope this helps.
Danielle

 

[mbfrench]

Sorry Michele. The point of your thread was not clear, and your last sentence in your first post opened the door to this discussion when you stated something to the effect of, you only wish the practices of breeding merles to merles to stop.

Since your purpose of this thread is just merely the sharing of a story, I am going to move this thread out of the "Behavior" area to the "chat" section where stories belong. That will make things a bit clearer to everyone that you are not looking for a discussion on the breeding of this dog that resulted in the biting behavior, but rather just a sharing of Possum's life.

I hope this helps.
Danielle

I have enjoyed reading everyones thoughts on this subject,believe me.So I do appreciate you moving it,.

Actually in the months to come,there will be an article that will be going to print in May for a magazine.And tid bits of Mia will be featured.But the article will center around double merle breeding. I will keep everyone posted,an share the link.

I wish I know more about Possum,as I think it can & would open up some valuble insight as to what triggered his behavior.

 

[danisgoat]

I wish I know more about Possum,as I think it can & would open up some valuble insight as to what triggered his behavior.

If you do hear more about Possum, please share with us.

I have fallen in forum love with Mia, and am definitely interested in hearing about other stories of double merles, even the tragic ones. I think the more education, the better. Who knows who you can reach, by sharing your story. You can possibly be saving another dog's life. I believe that your work with and love for Mia, followed through with your public education on double merles is having an impact on many people. Good work.