3. It would be possible to re-register dogs from abroad where they are already registered as GSD to be entered on the KC register as Alsatian. This would not have a time limit. This will be necessary in order to increase the gene pool of the breed. It is also possible that other countries might also start to register the Alsatian breed but under an alternative name e.g. 'Original Shepherd' or similar. If such a breed standard is in harmony with that of the Alsatian then re-registration would be allowed automatically.

4. Any awarded qualifications e.g. certificates, placings, etc. at KC shows would be carried over to the Alsatian breed. It would only be the change of the breed name that would be affected.

5. Because the dogs would already have been registered with the KC or come from parents that are registered with the KC the requirement for showing pedigrees of dogs in the breed would be easily accomplished.

The advantage of this proposal is that it would enable breeders to make the choice of whether to move to the Alsatian or stay as GSD. It would also allow those who currently have obtained CCs for their dogs to pursue further qualifications and possibly make them up to Champions over the 2 year period before converting to Alsatian status.

It would help the case for the breed if we were to be able to present to the Kennel Club a list of kennel affixes that would convert, either immediately or within the two year timescale. If you are a supporter you will be given a chance to do this.

The other thing to note about this proposal is that it may require the KC to change their method of approval for this breed. We are not asking for a new breed which has been generated by cross-breeding and we are not asking for a new breed to be created from imported dogs recognised elsewhere. We will be asking for a breed to be created out of one already recognised breed which has two distinct conformation characteristics. This, in itself, may present problems.

It may be the case that at least one existing breed club would have to convert to being an Alsatian breed club. If that were not possible then a new breed club would have to be formed to represent the Alsatian as a unique breed. If more than one club converts then some sort of umbrella organisation e.g. a council or similar should be created with representatives from all Alsatian breed clubs.

The most obvious argument in favour of a new breed is that it would put a stop to the division that exists between the 2 sides of the 'GSD division'. It would mean that shows could hold classes, side by side, for German Shepherds and Alsatians. In turn that would probably mean that show entries would rise as neither side would boycott judges of 'the other type'. (It should be noted that the change of judge at Crufts for 2013 has led to an immediate change in the entries for the breed: those with Alsatian dogs have largely withdrawn or not entered whereas those with qualified SV dogs are now entering).

It is likely that there would be a resurgence of interest in the Alsatian as a breed with a corresponding population growth in the breed in general.

Because of the comparatively small number of Alsatians that would be registered during the first 2 years it would be easy to implement and police health checks on parents. Once such systems are in place it would reinforce the KC's desire to follow a more health related agenda.

There are known supporters of the campaign that are well known breeders with successful kennels.

We also believe that the long-haired Alsatian is as valid a dog as any other and we would look to include these in the breed and in the show ring.

HEALTH

It is incumbent on the new breed to be a trail blazer in terms of dog health. One of the driving forces behind the whole initiative is a belief that the Alsatian conformation is a healthier one than the GSD. However, we must temper that enthusiasm with being realistic.

At present the 3 major tests carried out on breeding stock are hip scores, elbow scores and, in the case of males, haemophilia tests.

To begin with it would not be unreasonable to take the figures available for the GSD in the UK as a starting point. The Kennel Club's Annual Report on Dog Health, using data up to 01/11/11 shows a 5 year mean score of 16 for hips, with a median of 12 and a mean of 18 for all dogs scored through the hip scoring scheme. Data for elbows and haemophilia is not available.

This indicates that a) scores are dropping and b) that the majority of dogs have low scores.

It would not be unreasonable for us to set a cutoff point, to start with, of a mean score of 16 plus a single standard deviation from the past 5 years scores. This would give a figure slightly higher than the current mean but would allow the inclusion of dogs that would otherwise be excluded by reference to the fact that the initial population figure of Alsatians would be much smaller than the overall GSD population.

It is also not unreasonable to breed from dogs that score slightly above the mean figure, particularly if they are matched with a dog that scores lower. Further, as mean scores reduce, which they should do over time, some dogs that may have contributed to lowering the score by producing offspring with scores lower than their own would be excluded if the mean score rule was rigidly adhered to. A simple rule could state that: once a dog's offspring have been accepted for registration at any time then any further puppies would be eligible for registration providing the other parent was also eligible.

A similar measure should be applied for elbow scores and the offspring of male dogs should only be registered if the sire has been tested haemophilia clear.

There is also a desire to improve the construction of the hocks. A proposal would be made that, at the appropriate time, a hock measurement similar to the elbow/hip measurement could also be introduced. Advice would be taken on this from veterinary professionals.