
Adhering To The Highest Journalistic Standards
AKC Director Interferes With Parent Club Ballot
Chihuahua Club Of America Membership receives letter from AKC Board Member / CHF Director Steven Gladstone telling them to vote against Chihuahua Breed Standard revision re merle.
Jan 10, 2008 | TheDogPress Staff
Would an AKC Board Member dare to use the AKC
letterhead (and AKC email address) without approval? People are puzzled
because Steve Gladstone is an AKC Board Member, also Director of the AKC Canine Health Foundation,
and an astute litigator. He is also a breeder with convictions, just like
everyone reading this...
Is Gladstone, as one of our writers said, a "loose cannon" within the
fancy? If Steve Gladstone used his position with AKC to influence the vote, and he
did so without AKC's knowledge and approval, then we are told AKC must
disassociate itself from Gladstone's action.
Steve bred Cardigan Corgis, a breed which carries
the blue merle gene. No one would disagree that Steve Gladstone is a dedicated dog man. It
has been suggested that it is a personal belief more than a genetic debate.
Mr. Gladstone is a member of the Bar Association. In order to go on
the AKC Board, he gave up a successful practice, part of which was representing individuals and breed clubs against the AKC. Most
would agree that he has done a fair and equitable job serving the dog fancy
and the American Kennel Club. But above all, Steve Gladstone is a dog
person, just like us, with beliefs and concerns all dog breeders deal with.
Sometimes we are right, sometimes we aren't.
Will the AKC/Canine Health Foundation be further damaged by a Director who
defies published science and research (see below) on matters of genetic
health defects? Is the blue merle gene harmful to the dog itself or is it
just a color that is connected to a genetic defect?
AKC/CHF needed no more
controversy on the
heels of a lost $544,000 lawsuit and serious internal
conflict resulted in 2006 Board resignations.
In the interest of fairness TheDogPress presents
Mr. Gladstone's letter which speaks for itself.
We also bring you communications between Gloria Lambert
and AKC Executive Secretary James Crowley, reaction by the
Chihuahua Club Of America, and because this is an international genetic issue
affecting all breeding programs, opinions from the Chairman of the
Chihuahua Breed Club in England and from the president of the Australian National Chihuahua
Council.
We were able to
reach Mr. Gladstone's cell at press time. He was on the road but stated that
since he will be voting on the revision if it should pass and come back to AKC for final approval
he would postpone comment.
He sees nothing wrong with having used his position
at AKC to influence balloting results.
Mr. Gladstone believes that his opinion as a
Director will in fact defeat the proposed revision and told this editor that is why he
sent the letter. Steve is correct in pointing out that he was elected
as a Delegate and sits on the Board because his opinion is valued.
He agreed to elaborate for our readers but we decided to forego his gracious
offer of an interview which he said could be done when he returned to his office. Mr. Gladstone
has represented this editor and others in the sport before being elected to
the AKC Board Of Directors. We are grateful for his support of the
fancy but felt this subject was best left alone.
Read Steve Gladstone's letter in its entirety and then come back to related links below.
Click to read Entire 2-PAGE Letter

Related articles:
AKC Defended Board Member who interfered with Chihuahua Club ballot on merle color DQ. AKC communications with Gloria Lambert, internationally respected Chihuahua breeder.
Judge, British Chihuahua Club Chairman Graham Foote, on merle color gene, including Merle Gene Fact Sheet. One of the hottest international, genetics, and ethics issues in dogs...
Gladstone Letter to CCA Members See the letter by Steven Gladstone, who interfered with Chihuahua Club Of America ballot to DQ merle color, using his AKC and AKC/CHF Board positions.
Chihuahuas - Any Color Marked Or Splashed?? Gloria Lambert, Tanyas Toys, says absolutely not and explains the genetic deformities.
Chihuahua Breeder Rebuts disqualifying merle colored, defends genetics, breeds, shows, and wins with the color and thanks Gladstone for his letter to Chihuahua Club Of America members.
Pomeranian Club Ignores AKC guidelines, defies majority of members' wishes by adding merle pattern to revised Pomeranian breed standard.
World Bans Merle Chihuahuas but CCA voted down merle DQ following ballot interference by AKC Board member. Other countries refuse to register any dog out of merle parents. American Breeders unable to export.
Australian Chihuahua Breeder-Judge chastises AKC Director on his letter interfering with Parent Club vote on the merle gene.
Steve Gladstone Obituary the final link to a great man. Friend, attorney, advisor to the dog fancy, trusted AKC Board ally, founder of Aragorn Cardigans.
TheDogPress.com EST 2002 © 1706r
https://www.thedogpress.com/ClubNews/AKC/Chih-Merle-Gladstone0801.asp
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