From: tittle@ics.uci.edu (Cindy Tittle Moore)
Subject: Re: Hunting ability in Labradors
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs
Reply-To: tittle@ics.uci.edu (Cindy Tittle Moore)
Organization: ICS Dept., UC Irvine
Date: 26 Aug 92 17:07:08 GMT

In <1684F9491.X005CB@tamvm1.tamu.edu> X005CB@tamvm1.tamu.edu (Chris Barnes) writes:

>In article <13432@pogo.wv.tek.com>
>    daveb@pogo.wv.tek.com (Dave Butler) writes:
>
>>In conclusion, I personally feel that if a dog is in a specific category (eg:
>>herding, hunting, ratting), then it is irresponsible to breed solely for
>>aesthetics.  Thus a terrier which can't rat, or a Setter which cannot hunt,
>>should not be rewarded for mere aesthetic conformation.  This is why I would
>>assert that no dog should be able to earn either a champion status, or a best
>>in breed (and definitely not a best in show) unless it has excelled in the
>>working requirements of its breed.
>
>Actually, I think the "best" solution would be for the AKC to not
>register pups born to a sire and dam that do not have their titles.
>Since this would "protect" the breed from the things I fear happening
>by recommending it for things other than it's original purpose, I
>would no longer have any complaints against it (even if they just
>wanted a pet).  This should also make Liza happy, since the titles
>required could include something along the lines of a certain number
>of points in the conformation ring as well (although I still feel that
>an obiediance requirement would be silly since that is already required
>of dogs that can compete in the field).  A requirement for a Canine
>Good Citizenship might not be a bad idea though.
>
>I would imagine that a set of requirements would have to be developed
>for each breed (or at least each breed type).  But I don't think
>that would be such a big deal, that's what breed clubs are for
>after all.  The biggest problem would be getting an agreement among
>the different factions of people within the breed club.
>The show people would want a CH, the obiendance people would want
>a UD, the field trailers would want a FC, and the hunting test people
>would want a MH.
>
>My sample requirement for Labs:
>   a JH
>   1/3 of the points required for a CH
>   CGC award
>
>Not too difficult, but it's still *something* that means that the people
>that are breeding are TRYING to improve the breed.  I would require the
>full JH title because it really is pretty easy.  Of course, a more
>difficult title (FC, AFC, SH, MH) would certainly be acceptable in it's
>place.

[reordered slightly]
>Comments?

*gasp*

Are we in agreement?

Well, with respect to this particular article, it looks like it...

How about health certificates as well?  EG, labs would also have the
OFA and CERF or Wind-Morgan numbers.

>PS:  wouldn't this also take a big chunk out of the puppy mill
>     problem too?)

I would think so!

>But, since the AKC makes it's money by registering litters and dogs,
>I just don't see this happening anytime soon.

No, I think that would be the biggest problem.  The breed clubs might
go for it, though.  And it sounds to me there are a lot of breeders
who try to do this in the first place.  The problem is to get ALL the
breeders to do so...

--Cindy
--
Cindy Tittle Moore

Terrell's Chocolate Deduction--Hershe (Labrador Retriever)

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