these breeds to the point where they become rare breeds? I personally feel the simple answer is to allow for choice . I strongly sup- port the rights of many breeders of the choice to have their dogs tails docked, ears cropped or dewclaws removed. I also support the rights of those to have the choice to not undertake those procedures. In the Q&A section of the AKC website, we do see a possible answer to the conundrum for judges. Below, I have underlined the words that I feel allow for a more progressive interpretation by judges when
standard that compels an owner to have this procedure performed as a prereq- uisite to entry at a dog show. Even if it is traditional in a particular breed that the dogs have one of these alterations, it has the same potential to win as any other dog of the breed and will only be judged based on the compliance of that dog to the breed standard.” Now does this statement give all judges the blessing to consider an undocked tail a fault like we do with any other faults and to indeed reward a superior dog with, for example, an undocked tail a major award in spite
in the standard of the undocked tail, its set and carriage would also be very ben- eficial to judges and breeders. While many clubs voluntarily complied with the request, many clubs voted to not consider the change. Our committee decided to respect their decision, but did offer to assist them with changes in the future should mounting, ongoing and continuing pressure and challenges from animal rights groups, government and society force their hand. I feel these changes are inevitable and it may give us a stronger position to fight these pressures if we can say that we do allow choice . It will give our breeders the opportunity to make their own personal decisions—for or against. An interesting sentence I pulled from an article in support of allowing docking and cropping is, “We may not choose to own a dog that is docked or cropped, but we also ought not to tell others they cannot do so.” As a proponent of choice, I would reword the sentence to read, “We may not choose to own a dog that is undocked or uncropped, but we also ought not to tell others they cannot do so.” About the Author Richard Paquette is an All Breed judge who has judged dogs internationally on 5 different continents. He is also a well know Shih Tzu breeder since 1971 and former professional dog handler.
“I sTRongly sUPPoRT THE RIgHTs of mAny bREEDERs of THE CHoICE To HAvE THEIR Dogs TAIls DoCkED, EARs CRoPPED oR DEwClAws REmovED.”
undocked dogs do enter their ring. “The American Kennel Club recog- nizes that ear cropping, tail docking, and dewclaw removal, as described in certain breed standards, are accept- able practices integral to defining and preserving the breed character and/or enhancing good health. Appropriate veterinary care should be provided. “AKC rules do prohibit changes in appearance except as specified in the standard for the breed. If a breed standard provides for ear cropping, tail docking, or dewclaw removal, it is permitted. No AKC breed stan- dard has a disqualification for any of these alterations. “Ear cropping is a decision made by a dog’s breeder or owner. While it is true that some breeds are shown with their ears cropped, there is nothing in AKC rules and in fact nothing in any breed
of the words in the standard? Many argue that rewarding these dogs is a slippery slope to not preserving the breed character of their breed while others take a more ‘global, less insular’ approach and are tolerant of those who do show their dogs with no alterations. My personal experience is that there will be a lot of resistance frommany who seem to very adamant to not allow this trend. As the Chairperson of the Crop- ping and Docking Committee for the Canadian Kennel Club, I have observed first hand that change will take time and will not be readily accepted. The CKC requested Breed Clubs, who are the guardians of the Standards in Can- ada, to consider amending their stan- dards to allow for choice. In many cases it only required a simple word change such as changing “Must Be Docked” to “May Be Docked”. Having a description
lETTER To THE EDIToR I love the elegance of my ad and the credit for the beauty of these ads belongs to your team. Through the years I have sent in a photo and a few words and what comes back is an ad that is a work of art. You have a great team. I will never understand why more toy exhibitors don’t use TNT exclusively. There is such power in the presentation and the market- ing is right on target. I love my hobby, but marketing a beloved dog has to be a priority. Love you folks. Sincerely, Mark Benson
Thank you for your kind words Mark. Our team genuinely loves what we do and we care about the world of dogs—we are glad it shows! -ed.
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