Black is beautiful!  
By Tone Mørk

  ….that is what everyone involved with black dogs thinks. Shiny black like the darkest night and with good, harsh coat is the ideal. But, all our hard work with stripping and grooming undercoat does not always give the results we want. Traces of grey or brown in leg hair and beard is often the case. No wonder we get frustrated. To be sent off the ring with a red or blue ribbon due to poor pigmentation is very annoying when the rest of the dog is perfect.

We are having long discussions about colour genetics and which blood-lines will produce the best colour. The perfect solution is still no where to be found . But we agree on one thing: there are more important qualities in a dog than colour. Body, movement, mentality, health and character must always be first priority. However, when that is in place getting the right colour would be a great added bonus.

As national boarders are becoming more open and importing dogs is no longer only for the rich and few, one should think that finding breeding lines resulting in better qualities on many levels including colour would be easy to find. Unfortunately, not everything is as it seems. In America we know it has been going on for a while, and there are rumours about it happening also in Europe. But in Norway? With our high moral in subjects like sports doping and general cheating – it can not be the case surely?! Unfortunately we are worried it can happen also here. What are we talking about? Dying of dogs. A L’Oreal or Wella dog looks great in the ring, but what does it really achieve? The dye does reach the genes. Hence dying can increase the problem of bad pigmentation. This can already be seen in some American lines.

Based on this we would like to encourage all competitors and breeders interested in keeping and developing the breed’s qualities to refrain from dying and other cheating to cover up small or large errors in the dog.

We want a system of random dying tests of the affected breeds in larger shows. This will act as prevention and be a clear message that cheating is taken seriously. Norway as been a leading country in other areas and can perhaps in cooperation with others contribute to changing this trend also internationally. Sweden has had a stricter regime in this area for some time, all though it seems that it has turned into empty threats.

NKK has regulations for coat tests based on complaints, and the same system should be used as basis for random tests. Going as far as to file a formal complaint against “colleagues” in the show ring is not easy, and the discomfort will stop many people from acting on their suspicions.

Furthermore the consequences of a positive fur test (detection of artificial substances) might now be well known: Minimum punishment is that the dog is banned from all shows.

Taking a clear stand against dying of dogs can lead to dilemmas regarding other forms of coat products and styling. Several of us might have to admit to stepping over the line slightly when getting a dog ready for the ring, and can hence be accused of throwing stones in glass houses. The legislation is clear: No form of artificial substances is allowed. It does hence not separate between dye and other products which used to make the dog more “outstanding”.

To solve the problem of dying we hence need to say no also to the other products.

Past history apart: From now on we will be “clean” and follow the legislation as it was intended.

What you see is what you get!

Kennel Dunkel v/Tone Mørk (Black Minis)

Kennel Bouvbear v/Lisemette og Svein Ivar Fagernes (Minis Black, Black/Silver and Pepper/Salt and Giants Pepper/salt

Kennel Black Emac v/Eli M. Nesset (Black Minis and Giants Black and Pepper/Salt)  

Kennel Pirkko v/ Thorleif og Mona Romsås (Black Minis)

Kennel Leiki Hetki v/ Bente og Erik Vålbekk (Black Minis)

Kennel Fjelldvergen v/ Hege K. Flathagen (Minis Black and Pepper/Salt)