[gemy]

I had not realized the demand for dogs has dropped! The ownership numbers seem to actually have increased according to the APPA - American Pet Products Association - I tend to believe their stats as they have a vested interest in getting their numbers correct, for their members. And as every 2 year survey to purchase is over $3,000, the pet retailers would not invest in that if those surveys were widely in-accurate.


It seems ridiculously hard to get good data on country wide ownership of dogs n cats other than from business economic sources. But most sources I have seen put the % of pet ownership at 10-15%. And I think realtively stable % over the past 10yrs or so.


In terms of purebred dogs, I do believe that the past is an honored part of our future. Unlike the author of the article, I believe more not less genetic testing is needed, and also a process to open the stud book, should there be an overwhelming need to do so. By this I mean something like what was done with the Dalmations who had an almost 100% population of breeding dogs that were either carriers or affected by hyperuricosuria. In ten years those dedicated breeders were able to turn that around - but it did mean a judicial out-crossing for a time. Pedigree horizontal and vertical information is so important when you couple that with genetic testing and DNA analysis. A recessive gene might take 50 years of breeding of that breed to begin to rise to the surface. Hence the value of genetic tests. And the incredible value of health registries where results are posted by all breeders.


National Clubs are run by volunteers with all the attendant difficulty that ensues with that. Should National Clubs try to be what shall I say more *inclusive* perhaps, but where and how, should the evolution of a standard be a matter of a democratic vote by all members despite what their knowledge base might be, or their personal vested interest in moving the standard one way or the other? National Clubs like anyother Association were developed, run, and set-up by like-minded people, and by their very nature tend to be *exclusive*. Don't join us if you don';t believe in what we stand for, what our interests are, etc. If you want to join then as a condition of your membership you need to abide by the ethics and principles that have been established.


For me those questions I still search for complete answers to. I know what my hobby horse is with the breeds I own and breed. I know where my biases lie.


Quite simply health, temperament, and fitness to function and do what the breed was intended to do! All this wrapped with-in typiness, adherence to standards, etc.