Re: Introduction from an active Swedish Berner Owner
On Wed, 20 Nov 2002 20:31:16 +0100 =?iso-8859-1?Q?Cecilia_St=E5hl?= <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes: > I can ask for the the total numbers of registered litters from each > kennel > if > that will help answer your question more precisely Thanks that would be interesting to know. Are the dogs in high demand and do breeders tend to keep long waiting lists? Susan Ablon Gweebarra BMD Balch Springs, Tx http://www.pageweb.com/gwebara
Re: Introduction from an active Swedish Berner Owner
Susan Ablon wrote: > Did you have a hard time getting breeders in Sweden to agree to these > rules or did they do so willingly, or did they have a choice? > Do you find breeders who refuse to abide by these rules? > Are there large kennels where large numbers of puppies are produced > annually? > > I commend your Sennenhund breeders on taking such a stand to preserve the > breed and am curious how difficult it is to achieve such a strict > position. We have been working on the code of ethics in the US with much > controversy lately and nothing we've come up with has begun to approach > such a conservative stance as that of the Swedish club. Just curious how > difficult it was for your club to achieve this? Susan, Thank you for your reply. I don't know the direct answers to some of your questions, but I can try and find out. Theses rules have been in place for almost 20 years. Any attempt at an answer to your first question without consulting those that were involved in the initial discussions while the Breeders' Ethical Code was being developed would be pure speculation on my part. As for having a choice, breeders that refuse to comply, then and now, well they can't register their Berner puppies as purebred with the Swedish Kennel Klubb (SKK), which is the only organization registering purebred dogs in this country. By chosing to breed registered Berner Sennen dogs, they have chosen to accept the Breeders' Code of Ethics as stipulated by the Swedish Sennenhundklubb (SShK). We have no commercial kennels producing large numbers of Berner puppies. I can ask for the the total numbers of registered litters from each kennel if that will help answer your question more precisely. Cecilia Ståhl Stockholm , Sweden
Re: Introduction from an active Swedish Berner Owner
Cecilia, Thank you so much for the information, and thank you for doing it in English, your English is beautiful, no complaints here! I'm curious to know if you have any sort of estimate for the number of litters produced outside of the control of this committee in your country? None? 1/10th? 1/2? 2/3? Is there any way to determine an estimate of this? Perhaps by numbers of Berners registered clubs other than the SKK? And what is PNP? Would you happen to have any idea what the average amount of HD and ED is for the breed in Sweden? Sorry to inundate you with questions, but you're too good of an opportunity to let go! Pat Long (& Luther) Berwyn PA _ Help STOP SPAM with the new MSN 8 and get 2 months FREE* http://join.msn.com/?page=features/junkmail
Re: Introduction from an active Swedish Berner Owner
Cecilia After reading your post on the Swedish Code of Ethics it sounds as if your breeders are truly concerned for the health and well being not just of the breed but the individual dog. Did you have a hard time getting breeders in Sweden to agree to these rules or did they do so willingly, or did they have a choice? Do you find breeders who refuse to abide by these rules? Are there large kennels where large numbers of puppies are produced annually? I commend your Sennenhund breeders on taking such a stand to preserve the breed and am curious how difficult it is to achieve such a strict position. We have been working on the code of ethics in the US with much controversy lately and nothing we've come up with has begun to approach such a conservative stance as that of the Swedish club. Just curious how difficult it was for your club to achieve this. Susan Ablon Gweebarra BMD Balch Springs, Tx http://www.pageweb.com/gwebara
Re: Introduction from an active Swedish Berner Owner
Oh boy, I hope I do this right, ... > ***Would you tell us what the NSBC's function is and give us a thumbnail > sketch of what your friend does as national coordinator for Berner litter > registrations? > Thanks in advance and welcome! > Ruth Reynolds Thank you Ruth, for your warm welcome, I have always enjoyed your posts through out my years as a lurker. Firstly, the Swedish Sennenhundklubb (SShK) breeders' genetic committee (åvelsrådet), is a convening board that works actively to preserve and improve the health of the 4 Sennenhund breeds as well as to preserve and maintain the respective breeds' mental and exterior qualities as described in the 4 respective breed standards. The commitee has it foundation in the "Genetics & Breeders' Ethical Code" which was established in June 1984. It has since been audited and revised 8 times. (please forgive my clumbsy translations of the various official names) I wish I could just clip and paste everything here, but then noone would understand it. I will try my best to give an adequate presentation though if anything appears unclear or in weird English, just ask me and I'll clear it up as best I can. The Code of Breeding Ethics includes general rules pertaining to any breeding practice of the 4 breeds as well as rules regarding breeding practice pertaining specifically to each of the 4 Sennenhund breeds. Sennenhund litters that are bred in violation of the Code of Ethics cannot be registered with the Swedish National Kennel Klubb (SKK, member of the FCI) as pure bred dogs. In regards to Berners, besides the expected HD, ED and (PNP) health clearances, all Berner dogs are subject to a breeding pause for evaluation after siring 30 offspring. A dog that sires a percentage of puppies with a incidence of HD or ED that exceeds the agreed upon accepted limit according to the Ethical Code is withdrawn from breeding practice. There is a national maximum limit for which a sire may be used in regards to offspring produced, which is 80 puppies in Sweden. A dog that has produced 80 offspring in Sweden with acceptable results according to the code and that has passed the age of 7 without developing any of the health problems as described in the code, may be used further until the litter in which the 95th puppy is produced. There are many other details that I will gladly share. Berner Bitches, besides health clearances regarding HD, ED and (PNP), must be 2 years of age or more at the whelping of their first litter and may only whelp one litter per year. A bitch producing her first litter after the age of 4.5 years, must first have a veterinary certificate of health before being bred. The Swedish National Kennel Klubb (SKK) has specific ethical rules and guidelines as to breeding bitches of all pure breeds, and these rules must be followed as well. I will post these if requested. That's about all the translating I will endeavour to do in one post, whew. I expect and hope this post will generate questions, please ask away. Ruth, I will answer your second question about Berner litter registrations in another post, okay? Berner Hugs Cecilia Ståhl
Re: Introduction from an active Swedish Berner Owner
Welcome Cecilia, Thanks for your willingness to exchange information about Berners, life with them and how fanciers in your country, Sweden, are addressing some of the challenges we all face. Some questions for you appear below a section from your post. From: "Cecilia Ståhl" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >>I am not a breeder, but have a very close relationship with the breeder of my 3 year old, intact male, Lysters Jeppe Jorm aka Griffin. Griffin's breeder sits on the National Swedish Breeders Committee genetics group as well as being the national co-ordinator for Berner litter registrations. She is aware that I have joined this list and has agreed that we might have some ideas to share. ***Would you tell us what the NSBC's function is and give us a thumbnail sketch of what your friend does as national coordinator for Berner litter registrations? Thanks in advance and welcome! Ruth Reynolds