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!
Perhaps it is not too far off!
David Payne
authors note: ALL enthusiast of the correct international German Shepherd Dog have my permission and my encouragement to place this article prominently on their own website, in full and by LINK. This permission is also extended to any GSD Breed Club anywhere in the World.
Our correct international GSD in Great Britain is under serious threat and needs your fullest support - Thank you
Thu Aug 02, 2018 3:35 pm by Lorz
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