EXCELLENT! We must be related. (It's in the genes, folks, just like German shepherds of ALL colors.) Penny in NC (dam of Kristal, call name "Kwis") The Farm Dog Forever Since becoming disabled and bedridden and having to give up my dogs, I haven't posted on this list at all, but this seems to be getting completely out of hand. I find it hard to believe that something can be stated to be "simply not true" when in fact it is stated clearly on the AKC website: http://www.akc.org/reg/fss_details.cfm THIS IS, IN FACT, TRUE: The FSS® is not open to "rare" breeds that are a variation of an AKC-registrable breed or the result of a combination of two AKC-recognized breeds. This includes and is not limited to differences such as size (over and under), coat type, coat colors, and coat colors and/or types that are disqualifications from Conformation Events by AKC breed standards. I fail to see how a letter that is over eight years old can be held as an option now, especially as the current AKC website and doctrine firmly contradicts it, and as Evan and others have pointed out, "things change". If there were a similar letter from the Executive Secretary of the AKC written within the last six months, then I could see it, but eight years? Everyone has their own opinion. Vote as your opinion declares. Just please do not declare something to be untrue just because it doesn't fit the view you opine. Kristal Crow ============================================================================ POST is Copyrighted 2012. 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. Each Author is responsible for the content of his/her post. This group and its administrators are not responsible for the comments or opinions expressed in any post. 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@xxxxxxxxxxx VISIT OUR WEBSITE - http://showgsd.org SUBSCRIPTION:http://showgsd.org/mail.html NATIONAL BLOG - http://gsdnational.blogspot.com/ ============================================================================