misticaleclipse
12-15-2006, 09:52 PM
Dogfight brewing over ruling on pedigrees
Canadian canines will be left out in the cold if international body has its way
SCOTS BAY — Gary Hunt fears he could become an international pariah in the dog breeding world — and he’s not alone.
All Canadian dog breeders will be adversely affected if an international organization’s recent decision is allowed to stand.
Beginning Jan. 1, pedigrees issued for Canadian dogs will not be recognized by the Federation Cynologique Internationale, the world body for canines, according to a worldwide bulletin circulated in November.
The body represents the kennel registries of more than 80 member countries, including Canada up until this recent decision, made at a meeting in Rome.
The bulletin also says that dog judges from the Canadian Kennel Club, which represents Canadian breeders, will no longer be allowed to officiate at international Federation Cynologique Internationale shows.
In addition, the title of Canadian Kennel Club champion will not be accepted for entry at future federation events.
"Basically, our purebred dogs, their pedigrees, will no longer be recognized after Jan. 1 outside of Canada and the U.S.," Mr. Hunt, a longtime breeder of German shepherds, said in an interview at his kennels in Scots Bay, Kings County.
"What it means for me is that if I want to go to the world dog show in Mexico, my pedigree will not be accepted, nor will my titles," he added.
It could also hurt business by limiting the export of Canadian-bred dogs to other countries.
"It’s not the end of the world in Canada," he said. "But it could certainly affect dog breeders that ship dogs outside of Canada to other FCI countries."
The problem stems from a spat that has been brewing for months between the Canadian Kennel Club and the directors of the international federation.
In its circular, the federation says its decision is the result of a "continuous lack of communication and response from the Canadian Kennel Club" and a "lack of common orientation between the two organizations."
The federation is miffed that Canada does not recognize the pedigrees of some of its member countries, an issue it wants addressed.
The decision has the potential to affect thousands of Canadian breeders, 25,000 of whom are members of the Canadian Kennel Club, according to its website.
The federation is now also refusing to accept the kennel club’s stud book for breeding, said Allan Pepper, a director of the club for the Ontario region.
"We are now ostracized and an international pariah," he wrote in a recent letter to club members.
Mr. Pepper added that the federation has been trying since September 2005 to communicate with the Canadian Kennel Club on several important issues, but that "none of the correspondence has been answered."
He said all correspondence went to Canadian club president Joe Mauro but was never brought to the board of directors for discussion.
"The board was unaware that the FCI felt ignored, insulted and now angry," Mr. Pepper wrote.
Mr. Hunt said the issue could take months to sort out and in the meantime it "could have a drastic effect on a lot of breeders."
He has written to federal Agriculture Minister Chuck Strahl, whose department oversees the Canadian Kennel Club, requesting a review of the matter.
In a written statement, the kennel club says it recognizes the impact of the federation’s decision on Canadian breeders and has proposed a meeting to review the situation and "the unintended breakdown in communications between our two organizations."
found here (http://thechronicleherald.ca/NovaScotia/546682.html)
Canadian canines will be left out in the cold if international body has its way
SCOTS BAY — Gary Hunt fears he could become an international pariah in the dog breeding world — and he’s not alone.
All Canadian dog breeders will be adversely affected if an international organization’s recent decision is allowed to stand.
Beginning Jan. 1, pedigrees issued for Canadian dogs will not be recognized by the Federation Cynologique Internationale, the world body for canines, according to a worldwide bulletin circulated in November.
The body represents the kennel registries of more than 80 member countries, including Canada up until this recent decision, made at a meeting in Rome.
The bulletin also says that dog judges from the Canadian Kennel Club, which represents Canadian breeders, will no longer be allowed to officiate at international Federation Cynologique Internationale shows.
In addition, the title of Canadian Kennel Club champion will not be accepted for entry at future federation events.
"Basically, our purebred dogs, their pedigrees, will no longer be recognized after Jan. 1 outside of Canada and the U.S.," Mr. Hunt, a longtime breeder of German shepherds, said in an interview at his kennels in Scots Bay, Kings County.
"What it means for me is that if I want to go to the world dog show in Mexico, my pedigree will not be accepted, nor will my titles," he added.
It could also hurt business by limiting the export of Canadian-bred dogs to other countries.
"It’s not the end of the world in Canada," he said. "But it could certainly affect dog breeders that ship dogs outside of Canada to other FCI countries."
The problem stems from a spat that has been brewing for months between the Canadian Kennel Club and the directors of the international federation.
In its circular, the federation says its decision is the result of a "continuous lack of communication and response from the Canadian Kennel Club" and a "lack of common orientation between the two organizations."
The federation is miffed that Canada does not recognize the pedigrees of some of its member countries, an issue it wants addressed.
The decision has the potential to affect thousands of Canadian breeders, 25,000 of whom are members of the Canadian Kennel Club, according to its website.
The federation is now also refusing to accept the kennel club’s stud book for breeding, said Allan Pepper, a director of the club for the Ontario region.
"We are now ostracized and an international pariah," he wrote in a recent letter to club members.
Mr. Pepper added that the federation has been trying since September 2005 to communicate with the Canadian Kennel Club on several important issues, but that "none of the correspondence has been answered."
He said all correspondence went to Canadian club president Joe Mauro but was never brought to the board of directors for discussion.
"The board was unaware that the FCI felt ignored, insulted and now angry," Mr. Pepper wrote.
Mr. Hunt said the issue could take months to sort out and in the meantime it "could have a drastic effect on a lot of breeders."
He has written to federal Agriculture Minister Chuck Strahl, whose department oversees the Canadian Kennel Club, requesting a review of the matter.
In a written statement, the kennel club says it recognizes the impact of the federation’s decision on Canadian breeders and has proposed a meeting to review the situation and "the unintended breakdown in communications between our two organizations."
found here (http://thechronicleherald.ca/NovaScotia/546682.html)