[stardstdob]

I really thought long and hard about posting this here.
It has been the talk of the majority of the DPCA centered lists for the last week.

This year there was an Albino dog in the Obedience Top 20. I believe her name is Sprite. She was rescued as a puppy from a shelter by a dedicated Doberman Owner / Rescuer.

I was not there to attend, although I very much wish I was. The pictures I have seen from this event show a happy working team!

The part that bothers me is this: There was a petition started at the Nationals to rewrite the rules so that Albinos were not allowed to compete in a Top 20 performance event. That has to be the most cold hearted action I have ever heard of at an event designed to CELEBRATE our exceptional performance animals.

Some well known Doberman owners refused to sign it to their credit. I understand there was a great showing of support at the event.

Unfortunately, the story does not end there. Because now there is a petition being circulated to ban Albino's from participating in these events in the future.

The reasoning for that is the DPCA's stance on Albino's and the FEAR that Albino breeders will use this to promote their dogs in the future.

Let me be perfectly clear. I OPPOSE THE BREEDING OF ALBINO DOBERMANS. However, we are talking about a dog that was rescued by what appears to be by all accounts a fantastic owner. The owner put the time and effort into training and titling her dog to qualify for the Obedience Top 20. The owner of this dog, who is spayed and also her service dog, speaks publicly about the problems with Albinos.

Whether we like it our not that Albinos exist, this dog is in fact a Doberman.

The DPCA Obedience has had controversial entries before. There have been House of Hoytt dogs competing in the Obedience Top 20 with a professional trainer. That dogs relatively flat performance, did not create the same outrage that this poor white dog did.

I have not joined the DPCA yet. In the past it was out of protest, recently it has been out of laziness. This petition will probably be the thing that actually pushes me TO join.

The Working boards are overwhelmingly (But not exclusively) in support of this team and allowing Albinos to compete if they have earned the right.

However, not being a member will mean my voice is not heard on this issue.

Somethings are important enough just in principal that you need to take a stand.

Here is to a good dog and a great owner.
Sue L

 

[LVdobe]

I agree with you, I am NOT a supporter of albino breeding. But she rescued the dog and worked hard to get her dog to the top 20. Who are we to say beacuse the color of her dog that is spayed cannot compete

 

[txsaphire]

Cindy, the person that owns Sprite, lives across the street from my brother in Texas. She rescued Sprite who was very ill with pneumonia when she was 4 months old from a shelter.
We sat together at the banquet and apparently she was told that she was not welcome to sit at other tables.

Cindy and Sprite drove alone from southeast Texas to northern Massachussets and their performance in the top 20 was electrifying.

My vet, who was also in the top 20, has been at every Nationals since the late '80s except one, refused to sign the petition and was very saddened by the drama surrounding Sprite.

What's next?

 

[LindaH]

If this team did the work, they deserve to be rewarded. To deny them or to limit albino participation in the future will only make the DPCA look terribly mean spirited. Well, they will not only look mean spirited, they will actually be mean spirited, imo.

I do understand why they would worry about the albino breeders using this to promote their breeding, but you can't outlaw everything of which you are afraid or disapprove.

Never, ever thought we would see this day. Is there a picture available. I would like to see it.

 

[OliviaB]

Oh how sad While obviously I don't condone breeding albino dobermans, shouldn't we be supporting this amazing dog who has overcome so much? As a doberman lover, I love and accept them all...especially one with such an amazing spirit. How sad for the owner too

 

[Sinister]

Maybe they can just prohibited unaltered animals?

 

[Henry]

Very sad..I do not support breeding of the albinos but my first dobe was a z dobe and Tyler is a z dobe would they be out to?

 

[stardstdob]

Very sad..I do not support breeding of the albinos but my first dobe was a z dobe and Tyler is a z dobe would they be out to?

That is a good question - The way the petition is worded they would be eligible as long as they are an allowable color.

So the Z factored dog from Albino breeders, and may produce more Albinos would be eligible. But this spayed bitch who happens to manifest the mutation would not be.

So if it is any color but white the Albino breeders can still brag about their dog or a dog from their breeding program being in the Top 20

 

[gracieface]

that is sad, if the dog is altered and the owner is not the breeder, is it really promoting the breeding of albinos, and to ban the owner from tables at a dinner, seriously, what is this world coming too, anyone who puts in the time, and obedience takes a lot, should be commended, not punished because their dog is not an accepted colour.

 

[Dobies 71]

I have disliked the DPCA fighting for a long time now. There is always infighting. I think this is true in all dog clubs.

I believe there are also members who don't feel that way. Its just a product of the same old, same old, thing. Its way too big of a group to really do any good on many matters. This is the reasoning for the infighting. Its also about power.

I was a member of the DPCA for years and dropped out because I did not support the infighting. That was a mistake. Because for some reason, being a member gives you creditiablitiy in the public's eye.

What being a member does however is allow you a vote on things.

This is terrible to do to anyone. I support the spay neuter aspect of the albino being shown in obedience but not the disallowance.

Fear is such a stupid motivator.

Sue, if you want to be a member, you have my signature if needed.

 

[lelise]

How sad that this is the way it has turned. Instead, it should be a celebration of a wonderful, dedicated rescue owner, and the achievement they have made. What a way to be discouraging toward rescues.

 

[odiakkoh]

So albinos were never banned before? Basically this petition is happening because sprite is great?

 

[doberpagegirl]

Couldn't the DPCA make it so only rescue albinos could participate? Disqualify any "breeder" albinos, only allow ILP albino Dobes to participate?

I do see both sides here though. I do think the albino "breeders" would use it to promote their dogs. However, I hate to see anyone being so horribly rude and cruel to a RESCUE owner. She had nothing to do with Sprite's creation. She saved the girl from being used as a puppy maker by anyone else by responsibly spaying her dog. It's a tough issue.

 

[lolonurse]

There was a photo of Sprite and her owner on Facebook the other day, and a lively conversation about it... might have been on the DT FB page. Most folks agree about the validity of this dog being able to compete - of course, as always, there had to be someone in there using it as validation of the "white or cream Doberman that is not albino", yadda, yadda... but mostly, I think that it's a celebration of how great the breed is, no matter how they came to find their place in this world. Sure wasn't her fault - and her owner is dedicated, focused, and deserves congratulations and support. (imo)
(PS - I can't find the danged picture, but if I do, I'll post a link.)

 

[DoodleDobe]

Couldn't the DPCA make it so only rescue albinos could participate? Disqualify any "breeder" albinos, only allow ILP albino Dobes to participate?

I do see both sides here though. I do think the albino "breeders" would use it to promote their dogs. However, I hate to see anyone being so horribly rude and cruel to a RESCUE owner. She had nothing to do with Sprite's creation. She saved the girl from being used as a puppy maker by anyone else by responsibly spaying her dog. It's a tough issue.

But seriously, do you think any real albino breeder is EVER going to dedicate the time required to qualify a dog into the Top 20? If these DPCA members were really that concerned about the breeding and overpopulation of albinos, they would donate some cash or time to their local Doberman rescue. Curious, was there anyone on that petition who is active in rescue? I doubt it.

 

[LuvMyDobes]

Cindy, the person that owns Sprite, lives across the street from my brother in Texas. She rescued Sprite who was very ill with pneumonia when she was 4 months old from a shelter.
We sat together at the banquet and apparently she was told that she was not welcome to sit at other tables.

Cindy and Sprite drove alone from southeast Texas to northern Massachussets and their performance in the top 20 was electrifying.

My vet, who was also in the top 20, has been at every Nationals since the late '80s except one, refused to sign the petition and was very saddened by the drama surrounding Sprite.
What's next?

The bold part was done by me. All I want to say is that if it is true that she was shunned, that is the most rude and obnoxious thing I have ever heard of and makes me feel ashamed of DPCA members who would do that. What kind of people would be so cruel? I am a
member of the DPCA and this thing is making me question whether I wish to continue being part of a club with people who are so narrow minded and nasty. The dog and handler earned the spot. If there was a problem, it should have been addressed before or after but not AT the national.

 

[heidi's mom]

i saw them - they were stunning and of course people were talking... so sad.. yet people were pissed because we had brought a rescue dobe and he had a pinch on.. they were very very rude and told us we had to tkae the collor off or else leave,,, HELLO we were not showing, competeing, etc... we were simply there,,,, while i met alot of very nice peope at the Natl.. there were some who were just plain rude below is a picture.. both look great...


http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums...50327_103143169728630_755229_1420625021_n.jpg

 

[StarlaineK9]

The bold part was done by me. All I want to say is that if it is true that she was shunned, that is the most rude and obnoxious thing I have ever heard of and makes me feel ashamed of DPCA members who would do that. What kind of people would be so cruel? I am a
member of the DPCA and this thing is making me question whether I wish to continue being part of a club with people who are so narrow minded and nasty. The dog and handler earned the spot. If there was a problem, it should have been addressed before or after but not AT the national.

It is being addressed, because this team brought it to everyone's attention. Sorry, but you have an albino and come to the DPCA National you are bound to stir up controversy. You can't tell me this owner was completely unaware of that fact.

For most people I have spoken with they agree that in this instance this team were entered and competed fair and square, but the issue (with petition) is now whether to disallow other dogs not of an allowed color to compete in DPCA events. The Top Twenty is a NON REGULAR event sanctioned only by the DPCA therefore the DPCA membership has the right to decide who may compete.

Let's not make this about conformation vs rescue please and also let's not assume nefarious intentions from everyone who was at the National. I was there, and I can assure you many people have given this a lot of thought before signing the petition. In addition, please stop (you all globally speaking) with the 3rd and 4th hand information that may not be completely accurate.

Albinos are NOT an allowed color and I agree that they should not be allowed to compete in DPCA sanctioned events. I am 100% behind rescue and wonderful productive lives for all dobermans, including albinos, but I believe it is the duty of the members to preserve and protect the breed and that includes not promoting albinos in any way (event wise) at our national specialty.

 

[StarlaineK9]

i saw them - they were stunning and of course people were talking... so sad.. yet people were pissed because we had brought a rescue dobe and he had a pinch on.. they were very very rude and told us we had to tkae the collor off or else leave,,, HELLO we were not showing, competeing, etc... we were simply there,,,, while i met alot of very nice peope at the Natl.. there were some who were just plain rude below is a picture.. both look great...


http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums...50327_103143169728630_755229_1420625021_n.jpg

Read the AKC rules. Pinch collars are NOT allowed on the show grounds. It is your responsibility to know the rules before to enter a show site. Sorry if people were rude, they should have nicely explained that to you when it was obvious you didn't know.

 

[StarlaineK9]

But seriously, do you think any real albino breeder is EVER going to dedicate the time required to qualify a dog into the Top 20? If these DPCA members were really that concerned about the breeding and overpopulation of albinos, they would donate some cash or time to their local Doberman rescue. Curious, was there anyone on that petition who is active in rescue? I doubt it.

Seriously?

There are MANY dedicated DPCA members that not only promote rescue but DO rescue. What does an albino showing in a DPCA event have to do with rescue?? You are not only missing the point but blatantly fanning the flames.

May I suggest you talk to some long time breeders and hear their take on this issue...you just might get another side to the story.