This message is from: "Sanders" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> I support PLAN #1
But (and its a big one) here are my thoughts on #2: > (#2 PLAN) - All stallions must have vet certification for > teeth & testicles or their offspring cannot be registered. When I bought my rare breed (in America anyway) Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, the Cavalier registry had two classifications for the puppies: Pet or Breed Pet Quality - Registered as such and can NOT be bred. Most reputable breeders will have you sign an agreement. They are also cheaper to buy. You can own the breed you love without the high cost. The offspring of this animal are not registerable. Yes, puppy mills bred them anyway, and a renegade group broke off the main group because they wanted to breed their cheaply bought PET quality bitches. But in the dog world there is only one recognizable registry for the breed...the one with standards. Breed Quality - Offspring was fully registerable. It was based on the honor system quite a bit, just as we are in the fjord world. Cost is higher than a pet quality. I have seen some glaringly apparent faults that degrade the quality of the fjord as a breed and should act as warning flags to those who love the fjord breed. For example: *When someone has a whole team of white faced (okay, lines down the face) brown dun fjords, they are obviously breeding a bad combination of mare and stallion. *When a judge places a horse with a white blaze as the best representation of a fjord weanling, going against Norwegian Standards, than I believe it is time to start taking our confirmation standards seriously. Other faults, less visible, aren't apparent to non-fjord or new fjord people. But the degradation of that line has started and will continue into future generations if unknowingly people are breeding bad combinations just because they lack the knowledge or experience to make an informed decision on a stallion. Many people scrimp and save to acquire their first (2nd, 3rd, etc.) fjord. At my house, 5 to 10 thousand dollars means the difference between collage tuition loans, cars that run and vacations to places that don't start with the phrase, "Dear Aunt and Uncle..." I am thankful I have an honest and knowledgeable mentor to guide me through all these hogwash so I don't have to hear "...well, it shouldn't be there...but.....two would be preferable...aw shucks....you paid for it, do what you would like." Teresa Sanders Sandpoint, Id
