I try to not get too excited about most things, but I do NOT understand the excitement about some breeders attempting to make a genetic difference in a prevalent health issue. I see nothing wrong in discussing the issues involved either. Voting to continue a gag rule is stupid and destructive, and I personally see nothing wrong in registering dog that are so far removed from a dribble of pointer blood that it can't make a difference.

As I have stated in the past, I think we are holding breeders of LUA dogs to a higher standard than we do the general population. Puppy millers are allowed to register any and all dogs with same parentage. Backyard breeders register their dogs, no matter the quality. Why not register the LUA dogs? I see no way that registration of LUA dogs can possibly hurt my dogs, me or the breed. Simply don't use these dogs if you don't want to. Beat them the ring if you want to or can.

If you feel that spotting is the the only important measure of a Dalmatian, then the dogs produced with less than spectacular spotting will not have the public appeal that your dogs do. You will have the "better" product and have no problem selling your dogs. So, who cares if dogs of lighter color or smaller spots exist? They do already, just look on line or in the paper. We are discriminating against a segment of people who should have the rights that we all do... to breed to whom we want and what we want.

As also mentioned in some discussion recently, the markings have changed greatly over the past 35 years in our breed. The size of the spots are generally much larger, and so is the number of spots today versus yesterday. We also see more confluency as well. You see dogs today that would NEVER have been in the showring when I first started showing and I have produced darker dogs myself. I don't like the change in markings personally, but who am I to say that someone else can't produce what they wish? I either breed to it or I don't. I either beat it or I don't. That is the game... If someone wants to produce something that I can beat in the ring, have at it. If someone can produce a healthier Dalmatian, then do that too. Too much ado about nothing...

I will definitely vote yes on the upcoming ballot to open discussion. That is all this ballot means. Stifling discussion gets us what?

Beth White