>From:    Matthew Ardill <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Zen on shows/fun matches...
 
Sure its a fair question...
 
>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.
 
The Wardensburg patterns have been around longer than the AFA.  There is
still controversy about whether the patterns are or are not really related
to deafness.  We lean toward "yes they are".  There is some belief that
there are two sets of Wardensburg genes and some are NOT associated with
deafness.  There is no definitive test for deafness that I know of.  Now
that the issue as clear as mud...
 
The AFA does not exist in a vaccuum.  It had to start where earlier groups
left off as did every other active organization.  pandas and blazes were
already accepted at shows.  It would have been tough to tell folks "now
those ferrets you showed last year can't be shown".
 
I'm not sure I agree with the decisions made.  But it is easy to see why
they were made.
 
For what its worth at the recent AFA shows "plain old sables" have won more
than other colors though it is partially due to more sables being shown than
other colors.
 
There isn't a slippery slope.  Just some folks bashing other folks for no
particular reason.  Never have figured out why ferret owners spend so much
time attacking other ferret owners.
 
Oh and thanks Linda - nice post...
 
bill and diane killian
zen and the art of ferrets
http://www.zenferret.com/
mailto:[log in to unmask]
[Posted in FML issue 2130]