REGISTRY, Breed & kennel Club NEWS

----- Original Message -----

From: Gloria Lambert

To: jxc@akc.org ; dbs@akc.org ; mal@akc.org;

SGladstoneAKC@aol.com

Sent: Sunday, January 20, 2008 5:32 PM

Subject: Fw: AKC Director Statement

Mr. Gladstone, et al,

I don't really have any questions but I do have a few comments. While breeds such as yours limit the number of color patterns, I doubt very highly that the CCA will follow suit, since the addition thru cross breeding of this pattern has occurred in Chihuahuas. Our breed has traditionally allowed all colors. What you refer to as "scare tactics" is truthful, factual, scientific, information. I have attached two photos that I am sure will dispute your comments. We did not have these problems in our breed before the addition of merle and there is no way anyone can claim they are doing no harm when they are adding this pattern. There is no need to perpetuate these types of dogs because some have thought to cross breed to add a pattern that has not existed in this breed in its history until recently. The white Chihuahua is a double merle but the NO EYE Chihuahua is a single merle.

While I appreciate your concern for animal rights activists that are trying to control breeders in general, I and many others believe our breed will be animal rights activist fodder, if people are allowed to continue with a pattern that has traditionally been bred safely in breeds with LIMITED color patterns.

I have to say that I take great offense at your use of the AKC letterhead to get your "personal" point across. I have sent this on to club relations. Abuse of power is an unattractive trait. You are interfering in a ballot for a club and a breed that you are neither a member or an owner/breeder. While I appreciate you have dogs and that you fancy yourself an expert in the merle gene I have to say I am disappointed that someone connected to AKC can be so ignorant of scientific research and that they would use their position to influence a vote when they "do not have a dog in this fight"

"Be wary the man who urges an action in which he himself occurs no risk.."

~Joaquin DeSetani..

 ‑ Gloria Lambert

http://tanyastoys.com

----- Original Message -----

 From: Jim Crowley

To: Gloria Lambert

Sent: Tuesday, January 22, 2008 10:45 AM

Subject: RE: AKC Director Statement

Dear Ms. Lambert,

Thank you for your communication regarding the letter sent out by Mr. Gladstone. The AKC Board of Directors did vote eleven to one to authorize the Chihuahua Club of America to vote on the proposed breed standard disqualification of merles. In so doing, the AKC Board approved the Chihuahua Club of America voting on the standard change.

Any AKC Board member is free to express a personal opinion on a matter such as this, although it should be made perfectly clear that it is strictly that individual's opinion, and in no way reflects the position of AKC or the AKC Board. Mr. Gladstone clearly made such a disclaimer in the PS at the bottom of the letter.

Sincerely,

James Crowley,

AKC Executive Secretary

----- Original Message -----

 From: Gloria Lambert

To: Jim Crowley

Sent: Tuesday, January 22, 2008 4:02 PM

Subject: Re: AKC Director Statement

Mr. Crowley,

I find your email an insult to my intelligence, and I don't have to be an attorney to know what Mr. Gladstone did was represent AKC when he used AKC letterhead to post his "supposed" personal comments. If you read his letter he uses the "we" vernacular, so unless he is discussing the people he talks to in his head, he has used AKC to intimidate CCA members. His disclaimer means nothing and you should know this, the AKC BOD should know this, as any attorney fresh from the bar exam would know this. I hope you do not plan to shove this under the rug because there are many of us that have strong opinions concerning this issue and we feel that Mr. Gladstone was way out of line and that AKC should take a stronger approach than the ridiculous letter you have sent to me and others.

Best Regards,

Gloria Lambert

http://tanyastoys.com 

----- Original Message -----

 From: Gloria Lambert

To: Jim Crowley

Sent: Tuesday, January 22, 2008 9:16 PM
Subject: Use of Logo

Dear Mr. Crowley,

Thank you for your email reply regarding the mass email that was sent by Mr. Steven Gladstone, to members of the Chihuahua Club of America as well as to others who are not members.

Again I was disappointed by your response, as it greatly under estimates the effect of the AKC logo on correspondence received by those who are active in the dog fancy. Some members of the

Chihuahua Club of America believed that the letter was an official AKC letter and that it was counseling them how the AKC believed they should vote on the standard ballot. Do you not see the problem?

Your response fails to answer the question of whether AKC Board Members or others are authorized to use AKC logos and stationary when expressing personal opinions- even with the addition of a post script stating that the information is a personal opinion and not that of the AKC. The impression that the communication is OFFICIAL and from AKC has already been made. To put a "Post Script" is rather like trying to put the toothpaste back in the tube - the impression (misrepresentation?) has already been made.

I register my dogs with AKC. Since you yourselves have now set the precedent, if anyone can use the logo for personal comments, may I expect there will not be a problem if I add the logo myself in my own correspondence while expressing a personal opinion, provided I use a post script?

Your reply notes that on a vote of 11-1 by the AKC Board of Directors, the standard changes were approved to be submitted to the membership for a vote. Will the membership and others who received this email from Mr. Gladstone, now receive 11 email communications, on AKC stationary, from each Board member advising why they voted to allow Chihuahua Club members to consider and vote on the proposed changes? That would be refreshing, and would reassure those members who felt intimidated by Mr. Steven Gladstone's email message.

It is very disturbing to see one individual improperly use the "logo" of the AKC to make such an obvious effort to sway the membership of the Chihuahua Club of America to their perspective, on the interpretation of the merle color pattern. Someone doing this at the same time as the membership is completing their ballots, while under the guise of an AKC official is in my opinion reprehensible.

I look forward to your prompt reply on this important matter.

Sincerely,
Gloria Lambert

cc: postal mail

----- Original Message -----

1. From: Jim Crowley

To: Gloria Lambert

Sent: Wednesday, January 23, 2008 1:49 PM

Subject: RE: AKC Director Statement

Dear Ms. Lambert,

There are currently no AKC Board guidelines in place regarding the use of AKC letterhead by Board members or when a Board member's position with AKC should be cited in communications. This issue will be raised at the February, 2008 Board meeting.

Sincerely,

James Crowley,

AKC Executive Secretary

----- Original Message -----

From: Gloria Lambert

To: Jim Crowley

Sent: Thursday, January 24, 2008 1:36 PM

Subject: Re: AKC Director Statement

(AKC logo here)

Dear Mr. Crowley,

Thank you for your reply. I am writing to inform you that Mr. Gladstone used his AKC email address to email his comments thereby reinforcing the belief that his comments came directly from AKC. Since you have not answered my question in a previous letter concerning the use of the logo with a post script disclaimer, I can only assume that I can communicate at will using the AKC logo provided I use a post script. I am wondering however, and correct me if I am wrong, doesn't the AKC have guidelines for employees and the use of the AKC Logo? One would think these would apply to the AKC board of directors as well. Perhaps you or someone can clarify these questions for me. Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

Gloria Lambert

P.S. I am only a person that registers dogs with the AKC. Please disregard the use of their logo in this communication. I am not an employee nor am I on the current board of directors. This email is not from the American Kennel Club. None of my comments are representative of any of the organizations listed here.

From: Jim Crowley

To: Gloria Lambert

Sent: Friday, January 25, 2008 8:35 AM

Subject: RE: AKC Director Statement

Dear Ms. Lambert,

    While AKC officials and employees may use AKC letterhead in communications, which includes the AKC logo, the same is not true of anyone else in the fancy, unless specific permission is received from the AKC. As you have received no such permission, any use of the logo would be an infringement on the AKC trademark that would be referred to the AKC legal department.

   There are no specific guidelines regarding the use of AKC letterhead by AKC employees other than that any such communications should be business related. We could not even bar including personal opinions, as a large part of the correspondence I generate, as well as many other employees is in response to requests from clubs and individuals for just that. For example we are constantly asked for opinions on things like bylaw, rule, and policy interpretations, advice on how a show or registration issue could be handled, whether certain actions by clubs or individuals are permissible or not, etc. Should any AKC employees improperly use that position, e.g. deliberately disseminating misinformation or presenting a personal opinion as official AKC policy, etc., they would be answerable to their superior and ultimately to the AKC Board. In responding to such inquiries, I do try to stipulate whether the answer is a firm AKC position or if it is my own opinion based upon my knowledge and experience.

   AKC Board members are elected by the Delegate body, and they are not paid AKC employees. They are not answerable to any AKC employee, and if there are going to be any guidelines with regards to a Board member’s use of AKC letterhead, they would have to be set by the Board itself.

Sincerely,

James Crowley,

AKC Executive Secretary

----- Original Message -----

From: Gloria Lambert

To: Jim Crowley

Sent: Friday, January 25, 2008 11:20 AM

Subject: Re: AKC Director Statement

Mr. Crowley,

Thank you for your reply. A logo used to recognize an organization or a business is a logo, is a logo, is a logo. Dilution of intellectual property whether it is done by an employee, a private citizen, or a board member should be an actionable offense. No special rules should be needed since they are implied by intellectual property laws. It is my sincere wish that the AKC will take action against Mr. Gladstone so that this type of intimidation does not happen to any other breed club or person. I feel confident that you are working on this on behalf of all breed clubs and private citizens. Unchecked abuse of power leads to tyranny and dictatorship.

This will be my last communication as I know you must have important matters to attend, thank you for your time.

Best Regards,
Gloria Lambert
http://tanyastoys.com 

Merle Gene Fact Sheet     Download PDF Version

Genetics of Canine Coat Color

Canine coat color is determined by the expression of a specific combination of genes. A gene, the basic unit of heredity, is comprised of a unique sequence of DNA and directs the production of a specific protein. Proteins are required for the structure, function and regulation of the body's cells, tissues, and organs. Genes are located within chromosomes. Dogs have two sets of 39 chromosomes in every cell, one set inherited from each parent. The location of each gene within a chromosome is referred to as its locus. While there is more than 99% DNA sequence similarity between dogs, variations in DNA sequence do occur in a small number of genes. Different forms of the same gene are called alleles. Dogs can have two identical or two different alleles for a particular gene. If both alleles are identical, then the dog is said to be homozygous at that gene; if both alleles are different, then the dog is said to be heterozygous at that gene. The genotype of an animal is its genetic identity, as identified by the alleles it carries; while the phenotype, or appearance, is the expression of those alleles. Coat color in dogs is usually controlled by a set of genes. These include the color genes, genes that affect the pigment color of hairs, and the pattern genes, those that affect the distribution of a particular color. At least 20 genes have been identified that affect coat color in dogs.

Merle Coat Color Patterning

The merle coat color is characterized by patches of dilute pigment in combination with areas of full pigmentation. Therefore, the merle gene acts to lighten whatever coat color would otherwise be expressed. However, unlike other dilution genes, the lightening effect is not spread evenly over the coat, but is expressed as patches of diluted color scattered over the dog�s body. If the basic color of the dog is black, the effect of the merle gene is a soft gray, often referred to as �blue�. If the basic color of the dog is red, the effect of the merle gene is a pale red. The merle coat pattern is characteristic of a number of breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club, including the Shetland Sheepdog, Collie, Border Collie, Dachshund, Australian Shepherd, and Cardigan Welsh Corgi.

Genetic Inheritance of the Merle Gene

It is only recently that investigators at the Texas A&M University (reference: PNAS, 2006, 103(5):1376-81) discovered a mutation in the dog SILV gene and found it to be responsible for the merle coat color patterning in dogs. The merle gene (M) is inherited in an autosomal fashion. In other words, the trait is not linked to gender and can be passed on from either the mother or the father. The gene is incompletely dominant, or a gene that has intermediate expression. A heterozygous dog, carrying only one copy of the merle gene (Mm), expresses the characteristic diluted coat color pattern. A non-merle dog (mm) is normal in color, while a homozygous double-merle (MM) is predominantly white. Punnett squares can be used to determine the expected coat color of offspring when breeding dogs of known genotype (i.e. coat color genes have been identified). In the example illustrated, a non-merle dog (mm), indicated in the vertical column, bred to a heterozygous merle (Mm), indicated in the horizontal column, will give rise to offspring with an expected frequency of 50% merle (Mm) and 50% non-merle (mm). Dogs that carry the merle gene but do not show the characteristic merle phenotype, are known as cryptic merles. These dogs may give rise to merle offspring. It is suspected that the DNA sequence of the merle allele in the cryptic is shorter than the allele expressed in the typical merle dog. The harlequin coat color pattern in Great Danes is produced through the interaction of the merle locus and the harlequin (H) gene. In harlequin Danes, the merle background color is diluted to nearly white with fully pigmented black patches.

Health Problems Associated with the Merle Allele - BOTH heterozygous merle (Mm) and homozygous double merle (MM) dogs may exhibit auditory and ophthalmic abnormalities including mild to severe deafness, increased intraocular pressure, ametropia, microphthalmia and colobomas. The double merle genotype may also be associated with abnormalities of skeletal, cardiac and reproductive systems.

Genetic Testing for the Merle Gene

With the recent discovery of the merle gene, a genetic test is now available that allows for the identification of the merle allele. This technology is patent pending (U.S. Serial # 60/708,589) and available exclusively thru GenMARK, the DNA technology service of VITA-TECH Laboratories LLC. By testing dogs for this genetic trait, it is possible to: 

• allow identification of merle dogs to prevent undesirable merle to merle breeding
• classify harlequin Danes as single or double merle
• identify cryptic merles

reprinted courtesy of http://www.genmarkag.com/canine_faqs.php

 (Gloria Lambert has been a successful breeder/exhibitor of Chihuahuas and show cattle for over 20 years. Her breeding has won top AKC honors and their cattle have won shows on every level of competition. She's also had Australian Cattle Dogs for 20 years.)

Gloria states “Raising animals brings with it a responsibility to do no harm. When merle Chihuahuas made their appearance in our breed recently I knew from basic genetics that this cannot happen unless you have a merle dog. Most geneticists agree merle Chihuahuas are likely the result of cross breeding. Merle brings with it pigmentation disorders that occur at birth.”

"I brought my concerns to the Chihuahua Club of America with a letter describing how a small change in the standard could protect our breed. Since our standard calls for a saucy expression and dark eyes it seemed prudent that blue eyes should be a serious fault or a disqualification. It was my intent to limit the damage this gene can cause our breed."

The merle issue began in 2000. Lambert says "The CCA president formed a committee to study the health affects of the merle gene and information was gathered. Unfortunately this was a committee in name only and through two administrations nothing was accomplished. This information was given to several countries who immediately saw the threat to the Chihuahua and they have all disqualified or banned it from the breed."

In summary, Lambert explains "Ours is a breed that has traditionally allowed all colors. Since it is unlikely that some will breed merle in a humane manner, it seems more prudent to exclude merle from the showring, thus reducing the impact."

The article below was published on TheDogPlace.org in June of 2007.  It covers the genetic risk to the Chihuahua gene pool quite well.  There are several breeds at risk to serious color-linked physical deformities due to fad breeding by irresponsible or uninformed people. 

Some will remember the battle by AKC Judge Peggy Adamson (deceased) over registration of the white Doberman.  There were white boxers, also marketed as "rare and unusual". 

Colors which appear or as some would say "mutate" within a breed but which are inconsistent with the breed standards are explosive issues. 

Colors "foreign" to a breed are rarely mutations but are the result of another breed (or mongrel or "designer dog") having been introduced.  That is believed to be the case with the Chihuahua and the situation is complicated since the Chihuahua Breed Standard is one of only a handful that allows "all colors."