Re: The American Boerboel Club -- Boerboel Breeders Info. Forum

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Date Posted: 10:28:21 03/29/04 Mon
Author: Jerry
Subject: Re: The American Boerboel Club
In reply to: Melinda Proffer 's message, "The American Boerboel Club" on 15:51:12 03/25/04 Thu

To the American Boerboel Club, kudos and congratulations on the recognition of the need for testing beyond conformation. The Boerboel and 'all' those who are associated with the Boerboel will be the beneficiary of the recognition of this more exhaustive testing. We at the HBSA and the NABC (North American Boerboel Club) have long understood the need for this more exhaustive testing to ensure 'survival' of the Historically Correct Boerboel.

This recognition is a great 'first' step in restoring the Boerboel to it's historically correct status. What are the attributes that make a H.C.B? At the highest level, 'I', would say there are three main attributes, 1) conformation (looks), 2) health (physical) and 3) temperament (mental health/stability). As we all know there is more than one Boerboel registry available to the public. All the registries out there today are producing some really great looking Boerboels. However, there are far fewer great looking Boerboels that 'also' could be categorized as being 'Historically Correct', regardless of registry. Physical health, we could list individually the points that comprise good health, but again on a high level, good health Boerboel speaking, would be an animal that could withstand the harsh environment and rigors of the South African lifestyle. Temperament, understandably so, becomes a topic of much discussion regarding what is 'proper temperament'. Once again, on a high level, proper temperament would be a dog that is neither shy nor overly aggressive. What the details of proper health and temperament are is not the point of this post.

The true point of this post is the 'great' harm that fragmentation of an already extremely limited gene pool creates. 'If' we accept the idea that 'all' registries main goal, whatever other goals they may have, is to create a 'H.C.B.', then 'any' registry that by choice automatically excludes any Historically Correct Specimens that is not from within their own registry does an 'extreme disservice' to the Boerboel and all those who love this breed. In my opinion, exclusion from the gene pool of any Historically Correct Specimen simply because of the origin of registry of that particular Specimen cannot have the welfare of the Boerboel in mind, to do so would be an oxymoron to say, you have the best interest of the breed in mind and then exclude an H.C.S. simply because they did not have the desired registry acronym. Exclusivity, regardless of the name of the registry, for exclusivity's sake, for personal reasons is inherently wrong.

I am one of the strongest supporter/proponents of freedom of choice I know of. I support the right of anyone to join any club, any organization, any registry, (an the list goes on), that they choose. We all like to be around people who think like we do, who have the same general beliefs that we do, that's human nature. The right to assemble with like minded people is not granted but is inherent. Now having said that, the creation of yet another club that has the 'potential' to further divide the Boerboel gene pool is not a thing that 'may' not be good for the Boerboel, 'if' it further divides the gene pool it 'will not' be good for the Boerboel. Regarding the reduction of genetic diversity being an adverse consequence to any specimen is not a matter of opinion, it is scientific fact.

It is my opinion that if we were to all put our personal differences aside, if we were to take our ego out of the mix, we would recognize that we all have honest difference of opinion but those differences that limit the gene pool will 'not', in the end, benefit the Boerboel and therefore is not a luxury we can afford. Regards, Jerry Heater, USA HBSA Coordinator.

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Replies:

Re: The American Boerboel Club -- sean forrest, 11:40:25 03/31/05 Thu

Re: The American Boerboel Club -- Eric, 15:49:03 04/07/05 Thu