AKC Gazette October 1994

Cropping Controversy

The American Boxer Club (ABC) and the National Breed Clubs Alliance (NBCA) vigorously object to the publication of "Cropping: Pros and Cons From the Fancy" in the May GAZETTE. Cropping should clearly be a matter of choice for the breeds' parent clubs. Indeed, then AKC Chairman of the Board John Ward took this position in his February 3, 1993, letter to the delegates, wherein he said, "AKC considers the question of cropping to be a matter for the individual breed clubs."

The ABC continues to support humane docking and cropping as practiced by responsible professionals. We emphatically endorse choice in this matter and, indeed, the right to free choice is something the 27 member clubs of the NBCA are committed to maintain.

Editor's note: The AKC and the GAZETTE agree that it is the choice of each national breed club. In fact, the article says, "The AKC has no plans to change its policy on cropping; it continues to be up to each national breed club to decide for itself But it is important to open up an avenue for discussion of this controversial topic, and to know what fellow fanciers are thinking "

Notes From A Breed Seminar

Recently, while participating in a seminar on Boxers for a newly formed judges study group, I was somewhat dismayed that an approved Boxer judge advocated a point of view that essentially would sacrifice type to movement. I was immediately reminded of the dean of American judges, Alva Rosenberg, and his often-quoted statement, "You can always find a good-moving dog at the pound." If it didn't look like whatever breed it's supposed to be, the erstwhile pound puppy would not have been rewarded by Rosenberg with any purple ribbons.

I cannot agree more. Proper type is an imperative in any breed. However, far from ignoring good movement, breeders and judges want it all! We want a beautifully constructed, typey dog to walk into the ring and then take our breath away as it reaches and drives its way to fame and glory. Type and movement are not adversarial qualities; they complement each other and make the difference between worthy champions and also rans.

Stephanie Abraham
P. O. Box 346
Scotland, CT 06264