That would be excellent. Juan Garcia is a good guy and is a good listener and is very impressive in that uniform. A great selection in my opinion.
Go Allie! Remember: "Girls Rule!"
It's very interesting to me that no one I speak with, whether it be through work, hobbies, neighbors, church, etc., is voting for Obama and yet all these polls say he's in the lead. I must lead a sheltered life.
Chris, perhaps it's time for an article in the Advocate outlining exactly what dog laws, leash laws, etc. are on the books for the City of Victoria, the County of Victoria, and the State of Texas. Perhaps if more companion animal owners were reminded of their obligations under the law the Advocate might just contribute to more humane and safe homes for these "pets". It might also be interesting to ask law enforcement in the city and county if they actually enforce those laws or if that is left to Animal Control or not done at all.
In my opinion, this particular editorial lacks a true understanding of Mother Nature. A reporter who has "studied" meterology...formally or as a hobby? Cloud seeding? Read up on the flood back in the 60's in Rapid City, SD. Folks: there's a long held belief by plenty of "old timers" which I am a firm believer in: If you choose to fight Mother Nature, prepare to be beaten. She can beat you more ways than you can even imagine. Hurricanes are not something that can be "controlled" in my lifetime nor in yours. Read up on the Rapid City flood. That was some folks who wanted to try to "fool" Mother Nature. She handed them a very severe lesson. Check it out.
Let's not be critical of the Trooper! Let's be critical of those dog owners who: 1) Should not have allowed their dog to be running loose 2) Should not have a dog if they cannot afford proper vet care in case of an accident or illness 3) Are quick to blame others for a situation that is clearly and totally their own fault! Get a grip, Victoria Advocate! Responsible pet ownership begins with the pet OWNER! These folks are clearly not "responsible pet owners"! They are irresponsible pet owners! The trooper in my opinion did what he could in a bad situation. The owners did not and have not. And I completely agree with Ms Sheila's post: the Advocate has a pet story with a bigger headline than a murder?!? For shame Advocate!
For those who would like to learn about the American Pit Bull standard, this is from the official website of the United Kennel Club and is the official breed standard as of Nov. 1, 2008. AMERICAN PIT BULL TERRIER (REVISED NOVEMBER 1, 2008) Terrier Group Official U.K.C. Breed Standard
HISTORY Sometime during the nineteenth century, dog fanciers in England, Ireland and Scotland began to experiment with crosses between Bulldogs and Terriers, looking for a dog that combined the gameness of the terrier with the strength and athleticism of the Bulldog. The result was a dog that embodied all of the virtues attributed to great warriors: strength, indomitable courage, and gentleness with loved ones. Immigrants brought these bull and terrier crosses to the United States. The American Pit Bull Terriers many talents did not go unnoticed by farmers and ranchers who used their APBTs as catch dogs for semi-wild cattle and hogs, to hunt, to drive livestock, and as family companions. Today, the American Pit Bull Terrier continues to demonstrate its versatility, competing successfully in Obedience, Tracking, Agility and Weight Pulls, as well as Conformation. The United Kennel Club was the first registry to recognize the American Pit Bull Terrier. UKC founder C. Z. Bennett assigned UKC registration number 1 to his own APBT, Bennetts Ring, in 1898. GENERAL APPEARANCE The American Pit Bull Terrier is a medium-sized, solidly built, short-coated dog with smooth, well-defined musculature. This breed is both powerful and athletic. The body is just slightly longer than tall, but bitches may be somewhat longer in body than dogs. The length of the front leg (measured from point of elbow to the ground) is approximately equal to one-half of the dogs height at the withers. The head is of medium length, with a broad, flat skull, and a wide, deep muzzle. Ears are small to medium in size, high set, and may be natural or cropped. The relatively short tail is set low, thick at the base and tapers to a point. The American Pit Bull Terrier comes in all colors and color patterns except merle. This breed combines strength and athleticism with grace and agility and should never appear bulky or muscle-bound or fine-boned and rangy. Above all else, the APBT must have the functional capability to be a catch dog that can hold, wrestle (push and pull) and breathe easily while doing its job. Balance and harmony of all parts are critical components of breed type. Very Serious Fault: Any disproportionate overdone characteristic (such as short legs, excessive bone or massive head or body) that would interfere with working ability. CHARACTERISTICS The essential characteristics of the American Pit Bull Terrier are strength, confidence, and zest for life. This breed is eager to please and brimming over with enthusiasm. APBTs make excellent family companions and have always been noted for their love of children. Because most APBTs exhibit some level of dog aggression and because of its powerful physique, the APBT requires an owner who will carefully socialize and obedience train the dog. The breeds natural agility makes it one of the most capable canine climbers so good fencing is a must for this breed. The APBT is not the best choice for a guard dog since they are extremely friendly, even with strangers. Aggressive behavior toward humans is uncharacteristic of the breed and highly undesirable. This breed does very well in performance events because of its high level of intelligence and its willingness to work.
HEAD The APBT head is unique and a key element of breed type. It is large and broad, giving the impression of great power, but it is not disproportionate to the size of the body. Viewed from the front, the head is shaped like a broad, blunt wedge. When viewed from the side, the skull and muzzle are parallel to one another and joined by a well defined, moderately deep stop. Supraorbital arches over the eyes are well defined but not pronounced. The head is well chiseled, blending strength, elegance, and character. Very Serious Fault: Overly large, heavy heads. SKULL - The skull is large, flat or slightly rounded, deep, and broad between the ears. Viewed from the top, the skull tapers just slightly toward the stop. There is a deep median furrow that diminishes in depth from the stop to the occiput. Cheek muscles are prominent but free of wrinkles. When the dog is concentrating, wrinkles form on the forehead, which give the APBT his unique expression. MUZZLE - The muzzle is broad and deep with a very slight taper from the stop to the nose, and a slight falling away under the eyes. The length of muzzle is shorter than the length of skull, with a ratio of approximately 2:3. The topline of the muzzle is straight. The lower jaw is well developed, wide and deep. Lips are clean and tight. Faults: Snipey muzzle; flews; weak lower jaw. Very Serious Fault: Muzzle too short, which impairs breathing capability. TEETH - The American Pit Bull Terrier has a complete set of evenly spaced, white teeth meeting in a scissors bite. Fault: Level bite. Serious Faults: Undershot, or overshot bite; wry mouth; missing teeth (this does not apply to teeth that have been lost or removed by a veterinarian). NOSE - The nose is large with wide, open nostrils. The nose may be any color. EYES - Eyes are medium size, round and set well apart and low on the skull. All colors are equally acceptable except blue, which is a serious fault. Haw should not be visible. Serious Faults: Bulging eyes; both eyes not matched in color; blue eyes. EARS - Ears are high set and may be natural or cropped without preference. Prick or flat, wide ears are not desired. NECK The neck is of moderate length and muscular. There is a slight arch at the crest. The neck widens gradually from where it joins the skull to where it blends into well laid-back shoulders. The skin on the neck is tight and without dewlap. Faults: Neck too thin or weak; ewe neck; dewlap. Very Serious Fault: A short, thick neck that would interfere with functional ability. FOREQUARTERS The shoulder blades are long, wide, muscular, and well laid back. The upper arm is roughly equal in length to the shoulder blade and joins it at an apparent right angle. The forelegs are strong and muscular. The elbows are set close to the body. Viewed from the front, the forelegs are set moderately wide apart and perpendicular to the ground. The pasterns are short, powerful, straight, and flexible. When viewed in profile, the pasterns are nearly erect. Faults: Upright or loaded shoulders; elbows turned outward or tied-in; down at the pasterns; front legs bowed; wrists knuckled over; toeing in or out. Very Serious Fault: Legs shorter than half the total height at the withers. BODY The chest is deep, well filled in, and moderately wide with ample room for heart and lungs, but the chest should never be wider than it is deep. The forechest does not extend much beyond the point of shoulder. The ribs extend well back and are well sprung from the spine, then flattening to form a deep body extending to the elbows. The back is strong and firm. The topline inclines very slightly downward from the withers to a broad, muscular, level back. The loin is short, muscular and slightly arched to the top of the croup, but narrower than the rib cage and with a moderate tuck-up. The croup is slightly sloping downward. Very Serious Fault: Overly massive body style that impedes working ability. HINDQUARTERS The hindquarters are strong, muscular, and moderately broad. The rump is well filled in on each side of the tail and deep from the pelvis to the crotch. The bone, angulation, and musculature of the hindquarters are in balance with the forequarters. The thighs are well developed with thick, easily discerned muscles. Viewed from the side, the hock joint is well bent and the rear pasterns are well let down and perpendicular to the ground. Viewed from the rear, the rear pasterns are straight and parallel to one another. Faults: Narrow hindquarters; hindquarters shallow from pelvis to crotch; lack of muscle; straight or over angulated stifle joint; cow hocks; sickle hocks; bowed legs. FEET The feet are round, proportionate to the size of the dog, well arched, and tight. Pads are hard, tough, and well cushioned. Dewclaws may be removed. Fault: Splayed feet. TAIL The tail is set on as a natural extension of the topline, and tapers to a point. When the dog is relaxed, the tail is carried low and extends approximately to the hock. When the dog is moving, the tail is carried level with the backline. When the dog is excited, the tail may be carried in a raised, upright position (challenge tail), but never curled over the back (gay tail). Fault: Long tail (tail tip passes beyond point of hock). Serious faults: Gay tail (not to be confused with challenge tail); kinked tail. Disqualification: Bobbed tail. COAT The coat is glossy and smooth, close, and moderately stiff to the touch. Faults: Curly, wavy, or sparse coat. Disqualification: Long coat. COLOR Any color, color pattern, or combination of colors is acceptable, except for merle. Disqualification: Merle HEIGHT AND WEIGHT The American Pit Bull Terrier must be both powerful and agile so actual weight and height are less important than the correct proportion of weight to height. Desirable weight for a mature male in good condition is between 35 and 60 pounds. Desirable weight for a mature female in good condition is between 30 and 50 pounds. Dogs over these weights are not to be penalized unless they are disproportionately massive or rangy. Very Serious Fault: Excessively large or overly massive dogs. GAIT The American Pit Bull Terrier moves with a jaunty, confident attitude, conveying the impression that he expects any minute to see something new and exciting. When trotting, the gait is effortless, smooth, powerful, and well coordinated, showing good reach in front and drive behind. When moving, the backline remains level with only a slight flexing to indicate suppleness. Viewed from any position, legs turn neither in nor out, nor do feet cross or interfere with each other. As speed increases, feet tend to converge toward center line of balance. Faults: Legs not moving on the same plane; legs over reaching; legs crossing over in front or rear; rear legs moving too close or touching; rolling; pacing; paddling; sidewinding; hackney action; pounding. DISQUALIFICATIONS Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchid. Viciousness or extreme shyness. Unilateral or bilateral deafness. Long coat. Bobbed tail. Albinism. Merle.
"Ordinances": just another word for the intrusion of local GOVERNMENT in your daily life. Now local GOVERNMENT would be telling you whether or not you can own a pet and if you choose to own a pet local GOVERNMENT will tell you it must be surgically spayed or neutered by four/six months old and there won't be anything you or your vet can do anything about it. Local GOVERNMENT/Victoria City Council in your yard, legislating what you do with your PET! What are we coming to?!?!?!?
While I do agree with 80% of your opinions, you have unjustly lumped the United Kennel Club into the company of registeries where it does not belong. UKC is the second oldest and second largest registry and prides itself on representing dogs who can still do the jobs for which they were bred. Please read the following so as to better inform yourself and others on the true picture of "other" dog registeries: From UKC's website at www.ukcdogs.com.:
Established in 1898, the United Kennel Club is the largest all-breed performance-dog registry in the world, registering dogs from all 50 states and 25 foreign countries. More than 60 percent of its 13,000 annually licensed events are tests of hunting ability, training and instinct. UKC prides itself on its family-oriented, friendly, educational events. The UKC has supported the "Total Dog" philosophy through its events and programs for over a century. As a departure from registries that place emphasis on a dogs looks, UKC events are designed for dogs that look and perform equally well.
Our mission is to be the world's best registry of purebred dogs, to offer our customers the most efficient and creative services possible, to use our data to help our customers breed the best dogs in the world and to create a wide spectrum of performance and conformation events in which those dogs can prove their instincts and heritage.
The programs at UKC include Obedience Trials, Agility Trials, Weight Pull Events, Terrier Races, Dock Jumping Events, Total Junior Program, Dog Sports (including Family Obedience), Coonhound Field Trials, Water Races, Nite Hunts and Bench Shows, Hunt Tests for retrieving breeds, Pointing Dog Events, Beagle Events (including Hunts and Bench Shows, and Cur and Feist Squirrel and Coon Events and Bench Shows.
Rounding out the 'Total Dog' package, UKC Conformation Events are among our largest growing events. UKC dog shows are family events designed by and for the breeder-owner-handler. Professional Handlers are not eligible to exhibit dogs for others at UKC Conformation Events. At UKC dog shows, the emphasis is on the DOG, not the SHOW.
Part of our mission is to have events where all dogs can compete. In addition to our purebred dog registry, United Kennel Club offers a Limited Privilege program. The Limited Privilege is open to all dogs that are spayed/neutered. This includes mixed breed dogs, purebred dogs of unknown pedigree, and purebred dogs with disqualifying faults as described in the UKC breed standards. The programs open to Limited Privilege dogs are Obedience Trials, Weight Pulls, Agility Trials, Total Junior Program and Dog Sports (including Family Obedience).
It is our firm belief that the right balance between performance and conformation results in healthier happier dogs for everyone. We are proud that we share that same philosophy with our growing number of dedicated participants.
Essentially, the UKC world of dogs is a working world. That's the way it was developed over a century ago, and that's the way it remains today.
Latin Daddy: Animals do not have "rights". But RESPONSIBLE pet owners need to and DO provide for the "welfare" of their pets. I'm all for animal welfare and responsible pet ownership. But it's a big stretch for me to believe that animals have "rights". That having been said, I have a couple of dogs who would love to come to work with me on Friday! Don't think it's going to happen but they would get a real kick out of it! In the right settings I think taking the dog to work would be a great thing.
Newsletter
That would be excellent. Juan Garcia is a good guy and is a good listener and is very impressive in that uniform. A great selection in my opinion.
Go Allie! Remember: "Girls Rule!"
It's very interesting to me that no one I speak with, whether it be through work, hobbies, neighbors, church, etc., is voting for Obama and yet all these polls say he's in the lead. I must lead a sheltered life.
Chris, perhaps it's time for an article in the Advocate outlining exactly what dog laws, leash laws, etc. are on the books for the City of Victoria, the County of Victoria, and the State of Texas. Perhaps if more companion animal owners were reminded of their obligations under the law the Advocate might just contribute to more humane and safe homes for these "pets". It might also be interesting to ask law enforcement in the city and county if they actually enforce those laws or if that is left to Animal Control or not done at all.
In my opinion, this particular editorial lacks a true understanding of Mother Nature. A reporter who has "studied" meterology...formally or as a hobby? Cloud seeding? Read up on the flood back in the 60's in Rapid City, SD. Folks: there's a long held belief by plenty of "old timers" which I am a firm believer in: If you choose to fight Mother Nature, prepare to be beaten. She can beat you more ways than you can even imagine. Hurricanes are not something that can be "controlled" in my lifetime nor in yours. Read up on the Rapid City flood. That was some folks who wanted to try to "fool" Mother Nature. She handed them a very severe lesson. Check it out.
Let's not be critical of the Trooper! Let's be critical of those dog owners who:
1) Should not have allowed their dog to be running loose
2) Should not have a dog if they cannot afford proper vet care in case of an accident or illness
3) Are quick to blame others for a situation that is clearly and totally their own fault!
Get a grip, Victoria Advocate! Responsible pet ownership begins with the pet OWNER! These folks are clearly not "responsible pet owners"! They are irresponsible pet owners!
The trooper in my opinion did what he could in a bad situation. The owners did not and have not.
And I completely agree with Ms Sheila's post: the Advocate has a pet story with a bigger headline than a murder?!? For shame Advocate!
For those who would like to learn about the American Pit Bull standard, this is from the official website of the United Kennel Club and is the official breed standard as of Nov. 1, 2008.
AMERICAN PIT BULL TERRIER (REVISED NOVEMBER 1, 2008)
Terrier Group
Official U.K.C. Breed Standard
Revised November 1, 2008
Terrier Group
©Copyright 1978, United Kennel Club, Inc.
HISTORY
Sometime during the nineteenth century, dog fanciers in England, Ireland and Scotland began to experiment with crosses between Bulldogs and Terriers, looking for a dog that combined the gameness of the terrier with the strength and athleticism of the Bulldog. The result was a dog that embodied all of the virtues attributed to great warriors: strength, indomitable courage, and gentleness with loved ones. Immigrants brought these bull and terrier crosses to the United States. The American Pit Bull Terriers many talents did not go unnoticed by farmers and ranchers who used their APBTs as catch dogs for semi-wild cattle and hogs, to hunt, to drive livestock, and as family companions. Today, the American Pit Bull Terrier continues to demonstrate its versatility, competing successfully in Obedience, Tracking, Agility and Weight Pulls, as well as Conformation.
The United Kennel Club was the first registry to recognize the American Pit Bull Terrier. UKC founder C. Z. Bennett assigned UKC registration number 1 to his own APBT, Bennetts Ring, in 1898.
GENERAL APPEARANCE
The American Pit Bull Terrier is a medium-sized, solidly built, short-coated dog with smooth, well-defined musculature. This breed is both powerful and athletic. The body is just slightly longer than tall, but bitches may be somewhat longer in body than dogs. The length of the front leg (measured from point of elbow to the ground) is approximately equal to one-half of the dogs height at the withers. The head is of medium length, with a broad, flat skull, and a wide, deep muzzle. Ears are small to medium in size, high set, and may be natural or cropped. The relatively short tail is set low, thick at the base and tapers to a point. The American Pit Bull Terrier comes in all colors and color patterns except merle. This breed combines strength and athleticism with grace and agility and should never appear bulky or muscle-bound or fine-boned and rangy. Above all else, the APBT must have the functional capability to be a catch dog that can hold, wrestle (push and pull) and breathe easily while doing its job. Balance and harmony of all parts are critical components of breed type.
Very Serious Fault: Any disproportionate overdone characteristic (such as short legs, excessive bone or massive head or body) that would interfere with working ability.
CHARACTERISTICS
The essential characteristics of the American Pit Bull Terrier are strength, confidence, and zest for life. This breed is eager to please and brimming over with enthusiasm. APBTs make excellent family companions and have always been noted for their love of children. Because most APBTs exhibit some level of dog aggression and because of its powerful physique, the APBT requires an owner who will carefully socialize and obedience train the dog. The breeds natural agility makes it one of the most capable canine climbers so good fencing is a must for this breed. The APBT is not the best choice for a guard dog since they are extremely friendly, even with strangers. Aggressive behavior toward humans is uncharacteristic of the breed and highly undesirable. This breed does very well in performance events because of its high level of intelligence and its willingness to work.
HEAD
The APBT head is unique and a key element of breed type. It is large and broad, giving the impression of great power, but it is not disproportionate to the size of the body. Viewed from the front, the head is shaped like a broad, blunt wedge. When viewed from the side, the skull and muzzle are parallel to one another and joined by a well defined, moderately deep stop. Supraorbital arches over the eyes are well defined but not pronounced. The head is well chiseled, blending strength, elegance, and character.
Very Serious Fault: Overly large, heavy heads.
SKULL - The skull is large, flat or slightly rounded, deep, and broad between the ears. Viewed from the top, the skull tapers just slightly toward the stop. There is a deep median furrow that diminishes in depth from the stop to the occiput. Cheek muscles are prominent but free of wrinkles. When the dog is concentrating, wrinkles form on the forehead, which give the APBT his unique expression.
MUZZLE - The muzzle is broad and deep with a very slight taper from the stop to the nose, and a slight falling away under the eyes. The length of muzzle is shorter than the length of skull, with a ratio of approximately 2:3. The topline of the muzzle is straight. The lower jaw is well developed, wide and deep. Lips are clean and tight.
Faults: Snipey muzzle; flews; weak lower jaw.
Very Serious Fault: Muzzle too short, which impairs breathing capability.
TEETH - The American Pit Bull Terrier has a complete set of evenly spaced, white teeth meeting in a scissors bite.
Fault: Level bite.
Serious Faults: Undershot, or overshot bite; wry mouth; missing teeth (this does not apply to teeth that have been lost or removed by a veterinarian).
NOSE - The nose is large with wide, open nostrils. The nose may be any color.
EYES - Eyes are medium size, round and set well apart and low on the skull. All colors are equally acceptable except blue, which is a serious fault. Haw should not be visible.
Serious Faults: Bulging eyes; both eyes not matched in color; blue eyes.
EARS - Ears are high set and may be natural or cropped without preference. Prick or flat, wide ears are not desired.
NECK
The neck is of moderate length and muscular. There is a slight arch at the crest. The neck widens gradually from where it joins the skull to where it blends into well laid-back shoulders. The skin on the neck is tight and without dewlap.
Faults: Neck too thin or weak; ewe neck; dewlap.
Very Serious Fault: A short, thick neck that would interfere with functional ability.
FOREQUARTERS
The shoulder blades are long, wide, muscular, and well laid back. The upper arm is roughly equal in length to the shoulder blade and joins it at an apparent right angle.
The forelegs are strong and muscular. The elbows are set close to the body. Viewed from the front, the forelegs are set moderately wide apart and perpendicular to the ground. The pasterns are short, powerful, straight, and flexible. When viewed in profile, the pasterns are nearly erect.
Faults: Upright or loaded shoulders; elbows turned outward or tied-in; down at the pasterns; front legs bowed; wrists knuckled over; toeing in or out.
Very Serious Fault: Legs shorter than half the total height at the withers.
BODY
The chest is deep, well filled in, and moderately wide with ample room for heart and lungs, but the chest should never be wider than it is deep. The forechest does not extend much beyond the point of shoulder. The ribs extend well back and are well sprung from the spine, then flattening to form a deep body extending to the elbows. The back is strong and firm. The topline inclines very slightly downward from the withers to a broad, muscular, level back. The loin is short, muscular and slightly arched to the top of the croup, but narrower than the rib cage and with a moderate tuck-up. The croup is slightly sloping downward.
Very Serious Fault: Overly massive body style that impedes working ability.
HINDQUARTERS
The hindquarters are strong, muscular, and moderately broad. The rump is well filled in on each side of the tail and deep from the pelvis to the crotch. The bone, angulation, and musculature of the hindquarters are in balance with the forequarters. The thighs are well developed with thick, easily discerned muscles. Viewed from the side, the hock joint is well bent and the rear pasterns are well let down and perpendicular to the ground. Viewed from the rear, the rear pasterns are straight and parallel to one another.
Faults: Narrow hindquarters; hindquarters shallow from pelvis to crotch; lack of muscle; straight or over angulated stifle joint; cow hocks; sickle hocks; bowed legs.
FEET
The feet are round, proportionate to the size of the dog, well arched, and tight. Pads are hard, tough, and well cushioned. Dewclaws may be removed.
Fault: Splayed feet.
TAIL
The tail is set on as a natural extension of the topline, and tapers to a point. When the dog is relaxed, the tail is carried low and extends approximately to the hock. When the dog is moving, the tail is carried level with the backline. When the dog is excited, the tail may be carried in a raised, upright position (challenge tail), but never curled over the back (gay tail).
Fault: Long tail (tail tip passes beyond point of hock).
Serious faults: Gay tail (not to be confused with challenge tail); kinked tail.
Disqualification: Bobbed tail.
COAT
The coat is glossy and smooth, close, and moderately stiff to the touch.
Faults: Curly, wavy, or sparse coat.
Disqualification: Long coat.
COLOR
Any color, color pattern, or combination of colors is acceptable, except for merle.
Disqualification: Merle
HEIGHT AND WEIGHT
The American Pit Bull Terrier must be both powerful and agile so actual weight and height are less important than the correct proportion of weight to height. Desirable weight for a mature male in good condition is between 35 and 60 pounds. Desirable weight for a mature female in good condition is between 30 and 50 pounds. Dogs over these weights are not to be penalized unless they are disproportionately massive or rangy.
Very Serious Fault: Excessively large or overly massive dogs.
GAIT
The American Pit Bull Terrier moves with a jaunty, confident attitude, conveying the impression that he expects any minute to see something new and exciting. When trotting, the gait is effortless, smooth, powerful, and well coordinated, showing good reach in front and drive behind. When moving, the backline remains level with only a slight flexing to indicate suppleness. Viewed from any position, legs turn neither in nor out, nor do feet cross or interfere with each other. As speed increases, feet tend to converge toward center line of balance.
Faults: Legs not moving on the same plane; legs over reaching; legs crossing over in front or rear; rear legs moving too close or touching; rolling; pacing; paddling; sidewinding; hackney action; pounding.
DISQUALIFICATIONS
Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchid. Viciousness or extreme shyness. Unilateral or bilateral deafness. Long coat. Bobbed tail. Albinism. Merle.
"Ordinances": just another word for the intrusion of local GOVERNMENT in your daily life. Now local GOVERNMENT would be telling you whether or not you can own a pet and if you choose to own a pet local GOVERNMENT will tell you it must be surgically spayed or neutered by four/six months old and there won't be anything you or your vet can do anything about it. Local GOVERNMENT/Victoria City Council in your yard, legislating what you do with your PET! What are we coming to?!?!?!?
While I do agree with 80% of your opinions, you have unjustly lumped the United Kennel Club into the company of registeries where it does not belong. UKC is the second oldest and second largest registry and prides itself on representing dogs who can still do the jobs for which they were bred. Please read the following so as to better inform yourself and others on the true picture of "other" dog registeries:
From UKC's website at www.ukcdogs.com.:
Established in 1898, the United Kennel Club is the largest all-breed performance-dog registry in the world, registering dogs from all 50 states and 25 foreign countries. More than 60 percent of its 13,000 annually licensed events are tests of hunting ability, training and instinct. UKC prides itself on its family-oriented, friendly, educational events. The UKC has supported the "Total Dog" philosophy through its events and programs for over a century. As a departure from registries that place emphasis on a dogs looks, UKC events are designed for dogs that look and perform equally well.
Our mission is to be the world's best registry of purebred dogs, to offer our customers the most efficient and creative services possible, to use our data to help our customers breed the best dogs in the world and to create a wide spectrum of performance and conformation events in which those dogs can prove their instincts and heritage.
The programs at UKC include Obedience Trials, Agility Trials, Weight Pull Events, Terrier Races, Dock Jumping Events, Total Junior Program, Dog Sports (including Family Obedience), Coonhound Field Trials, Water Races, Nite Hunts and Bench Shows, Hunt Tests for retrieving breeds, Pointing Dog Events, Beagle Events (including Hunts and Bench Shows, and Cur and Feist Squirrel and Coon Events and Bench Shows.
Rounding out the 'Total Dog' package, UKC Conformation Events are among our largest growing events. UKC dog shows are family events designed by and for the breeder-owner-handler. Professional Handlers are not eligible to exhibit dogs for others at UKC Conformation Events. At UKC dog shows, the emphasis is on the DOG, not the SHOW.
Part of our mission is to have events where all dogs can compete. In addition to our purebred dog registry, United Kennel Club offers a Limited Privilege program. The Limited Privilege is open to all dogs that are spayed/neutered. This includes mixed breed dogs, purebred dogs of unknown pedigree, and purebred dogs with disqualifying faults as described in the UKC breed standards. The programs open to Limited Privilege dogs are Obedience Trials, Weight Pulls, Agility Trials, Total Junior Program and Dog Sports (including Family Obedience).
It is our firm belief that the right balance between performance and conformation results in healthier happier dogs for everyone. We are proud that we share that same philosophy with our growing number of dedicated participants.
Essentially, the UKC world of dogs is a working world. That's the way it was developed over a century ago, and that's the way it remains today.
Latin Daddy:
Animals do not have "rights". But RESPONSIBLE pet owners need to and DO provide for the "welfare" of their pets. I'm all for animal welfare and responsible pet ownership. But it's a big stretch for me to believe that animals have "rights".
That having been said, I have a couple of dogs who would love to come to work with me on Friday! Don't think it's going to happen but they would get a real kick out of it! In the right settings I think taking the dog to work would be a great thing.