What If It Was Your Breed?

I am a Rottweiler owner.  Rottweilers (in this country) are a docked breed.  Our standard says so.

The AKC standard for my breed says, "Tail docked short".  I can't for the life of me figure out why there are exhibitors that continue to enter, and have shown, Rottweilers with natural tails.  Can't they read?  I'm sure they can, but what about the judges?  Do they know what our standard says? 

There are many opportunities in various venues to compete with purebred dogs:  the AKC, the UKC, European-style shows, agility, tracking, herding, obedience, etc, etc....And yet, I read things like, "it's my right to show my tailed dog, they can't excuse me for that!"....Well, yes "they" (being judges, I assume) CAN!  If a person can't deal with the fact that showing a natural tail in our breed (in AKC conformation) means that your dog may get excused, then go to another venue!

The UKC, for example, allows either a docked or natural tail for my breed in conformation, so do the European-style shows.  The AKC standard, however, says, "tail docked short"...our standard makes absolutely ZERO reference to a natural tail.  (so, um, just how would an AKC judge "know" what a natural tail is supposed to look like since it is not described in our standard?) 

I guess those that choose to enter and exhibit a tailed dog expect the judge to just overlook that tail...just take a guess at what it is supposed to be, when every other aspect of our breed is spelled out.

Far be it from me to tell people what breed to own, or what to do with them when it comes to breeding decisions, or whether or not to dock or crop.  Yep, it's your choice on whether to enter your tailed dog or not; just remember that it is the JUDGE'S CHOICE to throw you out on your tail, or place your dog last.

Omens Of Things To Come

It's been awhile since I've seen this much bad news regarding dog owners and our rights. Given the following pieces of news, it makes me wonder where our future is headed regarding our dogs. Once again, public opinion seems to reign supreme.

Aurora, CO Breed Ban Upheld

This morning, I turned on my computer to find not just one, but several pieces of bad news. The first being Aurora, CO, involving their ban on "pit bulls". This week, a local dog owner teamed with the American Canine Foundation in Federal Court hoping to overturn Aurora's ban. On Wednesday, November 19, 2008, Chief U.S. District Judge Wiley Y. Daniel ruled in favor of the city. To read more, to to the Denver Post .

This was a heartbreaking decision to many dog owners as we were desperately hoping this case could be used to set precedent and to give some kind of justice to those dog owners who have had their dogs taken away, simply because of their breed. Remember the ARs agenda: they don't want us to own ANY pets (or any animal for that matter). BSL (breed specific legislation) helps with that agenda by making it illegal or practically impossible, to own certain breeds of dogs. NO BREED is safe from BSL.

HAS THE AVMA CROSSED OVER TO THE DARK SIDE?

Out of the blue, the American Veterinary Medical Association changed the wording on their position regarding tail docking and ear cropping. Their stance on docking and cropping for "cosmetic" reasons is nothing new, however, their newly revised position statement (as of 11/2008) has made my blood run cold: (from the AVMA website)

Ear Cropping and Tail Docking(Oversight: AWC; HOD 07/1999, EB revised11/2008) The AVMA opposes ear cropping and tail docking of dogs when done solely for cosmetic purposes The AVMA encourages the elimination of ear cropping and tail docking from breed standards.

Their sudden "concern" over our breed standards has me worried. VERY worried. It's no secret the ARs are against PUREBRED dogs and docking and cropping, even though doing so prevents injury to the dog. Several years ago, the ARs were successful in BANNING docking and cropping in Europe. I knew then it was just a matter of time before the United States would become their next victim.

Lawmakers, guided by the ever-helpful AR nuts, have tried in various parts of the country to ban the practice of docking and cropping. But, we American purebred dog owners don't give up that easily. What better way to eventually ban the practice than by getting the AVMA on board with their agenda? I predict with the AVMA on the side of the Animal Rightists, we will see an onslaught of legislation aimed at doing away with the practices.

The AVMA stopped just short of "forbidding" their veterinarians from performing the procedures. It's time to talk to your veterinarian and URGE them to write to the AVMA. We, as dog owners, have to get the veterinarians on OUR SIDE.

We need our vets, and our vets need US! Animals are the sole reason for a vet being in business. Without our animals, the vets will be out of business.