It's About

   I have begun to explore the issues surrounding the LH Exotic that have come forward as a result of the February Board decision. This issue, like many in CFA concerning breeds, is a matter of great importance and best addressed by a careful review of all viewpoints and the impact on all breeds involved. I do not doubt that the Board took this position. However, a carefully delineated written response explaining the Board’s vote would have gone far in assuaging the issue. Whether the Long Hair Exotic is accepted is not the major issue. The major issue is “why” it should or not be, in the Board’s opinion.

   This question, like other similar questions, leads to the discussion as to the importance of phenotype (what it looks like) and genotype (what breed its ancestors are) in the makeup of a breed in CFA. When a breed is allowed to outcross to another breed, these questions will always be present. One registering association may swing toward phenotype, while another toward genotype.

   As an example, I offer the Bombay. (I breed the Bombay and am most familiar with the issues surrounding that breed.) In CFA, a breeder may cross to either the Black American Shorthair or the Sable Burmese and show all black kittens of such pairings as Bombays and none of the kittens of any other color. In TICA, a breeder may NOT cross to the American Shorthair, but can show Sable kittens as Sable Burmese. Can a Sable kitten out of a Bombay male or female be shown as a Sable Burmese? Yes, in TICA – No, in CFA. Who is “right?”

   More importantly, why is one registering association right and the other wrong? Or, do the two registering associations have a different definition of what constitutes a “breed?”  Can both associations be right?

   The Board of CFA must not only deal with these issues. The Board must deal with the fallout of decisions on these issues. A thoughtful statement following these difficult and therefore controversial Board decisions would have a far reaching and positive impact on advocates on both sides of the issue.

    So, what is my stand on the LH Exotic issue? If it comes up to the Board again and I am on the Board, I promise that I will start the discussion with both sides and my fellow Board members well before the Board meeting and, after the decision is made, I shall insist – or do it myself – that the Board fashion a written response as to what went into the decision and why the Board decided as it did.