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CHIHUAHUA MERLE COLOR LETTERS
AKC Executive Secretary,
Jim Crowley - AKC Board Member, Steve Gladstone - Chihuahua Breeder, Gloria Lambert
AKC defends Board Member Steve Gladstone who allegedly interfered with Chihuahua Club ballot on merle color DQ, charges by Chihuahua breeder Gloria Lambert.
(see links below for background/complete coverage)
----- 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 -----
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
(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
show ring, thus reducing the impact."
The article in blue 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."
|
Chihuahuas
- Any Color Marked Or Splashed??
by Gloria Lambert, Tanyas Toys
Roughly 28,000 Chihuahuas are registered each year with AKC but
less than 2% are registered by active AKC breeder/exhibitors.
Unfortunately, it seems like that makes our voice the minority
when it comes to the purity of the stud book, historically the
main focus of the AKC.
According to respected geneticists, Dr Malcolm Willis among
them, the merle color pattern did NOT naturally mutate in the
Chihuahua breed. So why would anyone risk introducing outside
genetic faults into a supremely healthy breed? Was it
accidental or was cash the motivation? Consider that many are
marketing merle puppies as a “rare deviation” at higher prices
than excellent show prospects from AKC show breeders.
Read
the rest of this important document published June 2007 ...
|
Related Articles:
03|06|09 - World Bans Merle Chihuahuas Other
countries refuse to register any dog out of merle parents.
Should CCA take another vote or this this just overreaction to the BBC
and U.K. Vets?
Australian Chihuahua Breeder-Judge chastises AKC Director on his
letter interfering with Parent Club vote on the merle gene.
AKC Defended Board Member. Steve Gladstone, Judge, AKC/CHF
Director, who interfered with Chihuahua Club ballot on merle color DQ.
AKC communications with Gloria Lambert, internationally respected
Chihuahua breeder. Gladstone fires off at Denver Show in 2009, is
he a loose cannon as readers are saying?
Gladstone Letter to CCA Members. Here's the letter on AKC
letterhead used by Steven Gladstone, who interfered with Chihuahua Club
Of America ballot to DQ merle color, using his AKC and AKC/CHF Board
positions.
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, ongoing coverage
2008 and 2009.
Chihuahua Breeder Rebuttal on disqualifying merle colored
Chihuahuas by G. Curran, who 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.
0801s1706
https://www.thedogpress.com/ClubNews/AKC/Chih-Merle-letters-Lambert-AKC-Crowley-0801.asp
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