We need
a well written article from the GSD Partnership (GSDP), or one or
more of the three National GSD organisations in Great Britain, which
make up the GSDP. These being the German Shepherd Dog Breed Council
(GSD-BC), the British Association of German Shepherd Dogs (BAGSD)
and the German Shepherd Dog League of Great Britain (GSDL).
An
article explaining the serious flaws and weaknesses of the Kennel
Club’s “accredited breeder’s scheme” (KC-ABS), an article which will
clearly explain how the KC-ABS can so easily deceive the pedigree
dog buying public.
The
article must detail how the health screening aspects of the ABS are
rendered almost meaningless, for example; under its Hip x-ray
"requirements" there is NO set hip standard to be achieved. This
means pedigree dogs with severe hip dysplasia can be used for
breeding by a Kennel Club “Accredited Breeder”, and the resultant
litter will be registered with the Kennel Club. The general
public must be made aware of this.
If that
is not SHOCKING enough, there are more equally serious flaws
within the KC “ABS”.
Many of
the health screening tests included in the KC-ABS are "voluntary",
which of course means such tests do not have to be done by any
Kennel Club “Accredited Breeder”, this would of course be seriously
worrying to the pedigree puppy buying public, IF they were
aware of these facts. Surely our National breed organisations have a
duty to inform them.
The proposed article can also detail what is NOT included in the
KC-ABS; this is surely important considering our own National GSD
Breed Survey. We should illustrate very clearly just how much our
GSD enthusiasts are actually doing for our breed’s improvement.
For
example, within the KC-ABS, there are NO character and temperament
assessments; NO "Breed Standard conformation assessments;" There is
NO requirement in the KC-ABS for breeders to have their breeding
stock sound in the hindquarters or anywhere else. Under the KC-ABS,
with all of these serious failings, the Kennel Club accredited
breeder can still REGISTER all of their puppies with the Kennel
Club. Not only that, ALL of the litters from KC accredited breeders
are “specially promoted” by the Kennel Club for the public to buy.
We must
vigorously pursue a policy that every pedigree dog that is going to
be used for breeding in Great Britain should ultimately have to pass
a “Breed Survey” conducted by the Breed Clubs and phased in over
several years. The GSD Breed Council has been operating a
comprehensive GSD Breed Survey for many years. A breed survey which
the Kennel Club is fully aware of, a breed survey that could be
used as a template for other breeds.
There is a huge amount of information that can be included in an
article exposing the serious flaws and omissions of the Kennel Club
“accredited breeder’s scheme”. Such an article will surely be of
valuable public service.
On
completion of the “article” the GSDP or National organisation should
issue an eye-catching press statement, giving some powerful bullet
points about its content. This could then be sent to newspapers &
magazines, television & radio etc. – GSD breeders with websites
should then be persuaded to place the “article” on their websites –
this alone is a very powerful media tool with particular reference
to the GSD buying public?
Of course the National GSD Breed organisation will need people for
interviews, and I am sure they can find them amongst their member
clubs and leaders.
Such a
valuable campaign needs to be undertaken - a campaign which
addresses the important issues affecting our GSD breed. Which have
been developed and strongly supported over many years by genuine
enthusiasts. All of these issues can be found in our GSD Partnership
“Planned Improvement Programme” (PIP). (see link below)
This
campaign is needed to strongly counter the current Kennel Club
campaign, which appears to be a determined effort to discredit our
correct international German Shepherd. The Kennel Club are
distracting the public’s attention away from “measurable and
meaningful” health screening tests and physical assessments
which are sadly lacking in the Kennel Club accredited breeder’s
scheme.
An
article, such as I am suggesting, is essential to inform the public
of the facts. If we do not comprehensively inform them in this
manner, I am certain our failure to do so will lead to the demise of
the correct international German Shepherd in Great Britain, with a
significant enhancement in the incorrect Alsatian, with all
its attendant faults and failings. There are clear signs that the
Kennel Club’s recent behaviour, press statements and television and
radio interviews, are having this effect already. We must decide how
best to communicate our message most effectively, or we and our
breed must suffer the consequences.
Please
understand - This proposed campaign will strongly support our GSD
breeds "declared position" on meaningful and compulsory Health
Screening and Breed Surveys.
IT IS TIME FOR
THE GSD PARTNERSHIP OR OUR NATIONAL ORGANISATIONS TO ACT -
(and of course their member clubs) Excuses, avoidance and the usual
apathy, offers nothing to help our breed.
Our GSD
Partnership has been treated with contempt by the Kennel Club. Let
us treat their “ABS” with the contempt it fully deserves –powerfully
& publicly -
the
Kennel Club way!
There is one major difference – our
contempt of the KC-ABS is fully justified.
Are we wimps or warriors? We will
find out!
I look
forward to a British "progressive" GSD organisation, independent of
the Kennel Club, establishing an "Accredited German Shepherd Scheme”
directed at the individual dogs,
see
http://www.videxgsd.com/proposed_accredited_gsd_scheme.htm
and which embraces our GSD “Planned Improvement Programme (PIP) see
http://www.videxgsd.com/GSD_KC_THE_REALITY.htm
An
organisation with strong support, both here in Great Britain, and
from GSD enthusiasts overseas, and very importantly, including full
support from the SV/WUSV.
Perhaps
it is not too far off!
David
Payne
:
+44 (0)1905 830900 -
email: