[ SHOWGSD-L ] Re: GSD Review for MAY - Resent in normal font
- From: "MARGERY GOLANT" <mgolant@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <lexieshep@xxxxxxxxx>, <showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Wed, 6 Jul 2005 00:35:04 -0400
In the standard of virtually all breeds, in the section on "Color" is a
description of what are acceptable colors, what are not, and what, if any,
are disqualifying. Since each of the breeds is "man-made" it is obvious
that someone somewhere decided what the "ideal" specimen of that breed
should look like, although the ideals have probably all changed over time.
But, think about it: someone, somewhere at some point decided that Poodles
should have curly coats and hanging ears, and come in three sizes and
certain colors. Someone at some point decided that a Dalmatian should be
white with black spots and a short coat, that an Irish Setter should be red
and long-haired.
The AKC has posted on its site the site, www.akc.org the standards of all
AKC breeds. Go there and read them. Some examples of what you will see -
these are a few of the Herding breeds:
Australian Shepherd
Color
Blue merle, black, red merle, red-all with or without white markings and/or
tan (copper) points, with no order of preference. The hairline of a white
collar does not exceed the point of the withers at the skin. White is
acceptable on the neck (either in part or as a full collar), chest, legs,
muzzle underparts, blaze on head and white extension from underpart up to
four inches, measuring from a horizontal line at the elbow. White on the
head should not predominate, and the eyes must be fully surrounded by color
and pigment. Merles characteristically become darker with increasing age.
Disqualifications White body splashes, which means white on body between
withers and tail, on sides between elbows and back of hindquarters in all
colors.
Australian Cattle Dog
Color (Blue)
The color should be blue, blue-mottled or blue speckled with or without
other markings. The permissible markings are black, blue or tan markings on
the head, evenly distributed for preference. The forelegs tan midway up the
legs and extending up the front to breast and throat, with tan on jaws; the
hindquarters tan on inside of hindlegs, and inside of thighs, showing down
the front of the stifles and broadening out to the outside of the hindlegs
from hock to toes. Tan undercoat is permissible on the body providing it
does not show through the blue outer coat. Black markings on the body are
not desirable.
Color (Red Speckle)
The color should be of good even red speckle all over, including the
undercoat, (neither white nor cream), with or without darker red markings on
the head. Even head markings are desirable. Red markings on the body are
permissible but not desirable.
Belgian Sheepdog
Color
Black. May be completely black, or may be black with white, limited as
follows: Small to moderate patch or strip on forechest. Between pads of
feet. On tips of hind toes. On chin and muzzle (frost may be white or gray).
On tips of front toes--allowable, but a fault.
Disqualification
Any color other than black, ex-cept for white in specified areas. Reddening
due to climatic conditions in an otherwise correct coat should not be
grounds for disqualification.
Briard
Color
All uniform colors are permitted except white. The colors are black, various
shades of gray and various shades of tawny. The deeper shades of each color
are preferred. Combinations of two of these colors are permitted, provided
there are no marked spots and the transition from one color to another takes
place gradually and symmetrically. The only permissible white: white hairs
scattered throughout the coat and/or a white spot on the chest not to exceed
one inch in diameter at the root of the hair. Disqualification white coat,
spotted coat, white spot on chest exceeding one inch in diameter.
My point is that many breeds have colors which result in disqualification
from the conformation ring. The reasons why may be known to fanciers, or
lost in the mist of history. They may have a rational basis, or be
completely arbitrary. The nature of breed standards is that some, such as
the German Shepherd Dog, have reasons for every physical attribute, which
relates in some way to the working / herding functions of the breed. I have
heard it suggested more than once that Von Stephanitz decided that the white
color was not to be allowed because a white dog was more difficult for the
shepherd to spot at a distance when among the flock. While it is true that
there are herding breeds which allow white dogs, there is a certain
rational appeal to that explanation, although whether it is true or not I
don't know. Since the German Shepherd Dog breed is not old, the evolution
of the Standard is well known, and undoubtedly there are those who know for
certain why the color is a disqualification.
The point is that, by a color being a disqualification, an animal bearing
that color may still be pure-bred, may still be well-bred, and may still be
intelligent, loyal, wonderful to live with, beautifully structured, a great
mover, etc. and entitled in every way to call itself a German Shepherd Dog.
However, since the white color is a disqualification in the AKC Standard, a
white GSD cannot be shown in the conformation ring under AKC rules.
Margery Golant
-----Original Message-----
From: showgsd-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:showgsd-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
On Behalf Of D.G.Bonome
Sent: Tuesday, July 05, 2005 8:56 PM
To: showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [ SHOWGSD-L ] GSD Review for MAY
I was looking through the May Review, and I come to page 17 and there is an
ad for The White German Shepherd Dog Club Of America.
Are The White GSD'S now accepted by the AKC? Isn't White a major fault? Not
Acceptable? Would any of you breed to a White? If not, why run the ad?
Why should the GSDCA run an ad for the WGSDCA if this is not acceptable?
When I see things like this, then The Review should worry!
Just a thought!
Dawn Bonome
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POST is Copyrighted 2005. All material remains the property of the original
author and of GSD Communication, Inc. NO REPRODUCTIONS or FORWARDS of any kind
are permitted without prior permission of the original author AND of the
Showgsd-l Management. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
ALL PERSONS ARE ON NOTICE THAT THE FORWARDING, REPRODUCTION OR USE IN ANY
MANNER OF ANY MATERIAL WHICH APPEARS ON SHOWGSD-L WITHOUT THE EXPRESS
PERMISSION OF ALL PARTIES TO THE POST AND THE LIST MANAGEMENT IS EXPRESSLY
FORBIDDEN, AND IS A VIOLATION OF LAW. VIOLATORS OF THIS PROHIBITION WILL BE
PROSECUTED.
For assistance, please contact the List Management at admin@xxxxxxxxxxxx
VISIT OUR WEBSITE - http://www.showgsd.org
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