The Future of the Coton de Tulear is in Peril

The Coton de Tulear needs your help. In 2009, one of the Coton de Tulear breed clubs, the USACTC, decided to seek AKC recognition. They were approved as the AKC Parent Club and hope to move into the miscellaneous class in June 2012. AKC is a show organization that supports puppy mills, dog auctions, and large volume commercial breeders by registering their dogs and litters. It has been proven that an AKC registered dog is not necessarily a purebred dog.

Past history has demonstrated that AKC recognition is synonymous with the deterioration of breed health. We believe the future health of the Coton de Tulear will suffer, and this once healthy breed could end up being riddled with health issues. The USACTC has already written a newly revised breed standard. This minority group, led by a committee of three individuals, has made a drastic, unilateral decision regarding the future appearance of the Coton de Tulear. The new USACTC breed Standard seeks to limit the prevalence of color to a mere 1% of the body. This means that they are attempting to “breed out” the color to produce a purely white dog. As lovers of the Coton de Tulear, you know that color occurs naturally in the breed. Eliminating certain color genes from the Coton de Tulear could be detrimental to the health of the breed, as some of these genes are believed by genetics researchers to control certain functions of the immune system. We believe this is the first step in putting the health of our beloved breed at risk. Please watch the following video which shows what can happen to a breed when attempts are made to change the appearance in order to make them more popular in the show ring.

Can you imagine what is in store for the Coton de Tulear!

Last year the Coton de Tulear community asked for your help in signing a petition against AKC recognition. Now we need your help again. A lawsuit has been successfully filed and served against the USACTC & the American Kennel Club to stop the Coton de Tulear from joining the ranks of the AKC breeds. A group of dedicated Coton de Tulear owners has formed for the sole purpose of preserving and protecting the Coton de Tulear from harm (Advocates for the Coton de Tulear).

The Coton de Tulear needs you. Please help us in our efforts to retain the heritage of this wonderful rare breed. Funds are needed to help defray the costs involved in the lawsuit. You CAN make a difference. Be a part of the future and history of the Coton de Tulear. Stand up and be a voice for your beloved companion. Please send in a contribution, and forward this email to your family and friends. Together we can ALL make a difference!

For more information visit: http://advocatesforthecotondetulear.blogspot.com/

Contributions may be mailed to:
Advocates for the Coton de Tulear
c/o Lisa Vatistas, Treasurer
10926 E. Becker Lane
Scottsdale, AZ 85259

Or you may contribute with your credit/debit card online at:

Any amount is welcome and will be greatly appreciated.

Advocates for the Coton de Tulear

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