>From:    zen and the art of ferrets - bill and diane <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Zen on shows/fun matches...
>
>>From:    Edward Lipinski <[log in to unmask]>
>>Subject: Price reduction: Seattle angora kits
>>Now for the big question: Is this the first step down that slippery slope
>>of species degradation where pressure upon a given species by show people
>>for something "different" will ultimately sink a species, as has happened
>>to dogs and cats;
>
>The AFA has at this point decided that the angora is not going to be given
>any special status nor are any of the other mutations currently being bred
>outside of coloration.  The AFA does not want to get into the trouble the
>dog and cat fancy got themselves into.  You ought to research what the AFA
>(and other organizations) have chosen as their standard.  They are aiming
>to keep the ferret as pure as possible.
 
do they allow the patterns that are linked to deafness?  i don't know the
first thing about the AFA, so that's an honest question.  but i've got to
say that they really shouldn't allow them to be shown, no matter how pretty
they are, if they are genetically linked to deafness.  that WOULD without a
doubt be the first step on the slippery slope.
 
just my 2 cents.
 
siani (who isn't being too serious here, just playing devils advocate.)
 
Matthew Ardill
"El Carnicero de Canciones"
[Posted in FML issue 2129]