Labradors that carry the MLPH gene are AKC pedigree Labrador Retrievers whose breed purity is certified by the AKC.

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1 Cuncil fr Purebred Labradr Retrievers (CPLR) Intrductin: Itʼs simple, we are a grup wh are defending the dilute Labradrs (Silver, Charcal and Champagne) as much hate has been spread abut their impurity and ghastly nature. There are always tw sides t every stry. If yu lve Labradrs and value their health and well being please read ur side, becme fully infrmed and make yur decisin based n facts, nt smeneʼs utspken pinin. Lets start at the beginning... Since in the mid-1980ʼs, the adjective Silver has becme regularly used t describe the appearance f Chclate Labradrs that pssess the hmzygus autsmal recessive alleles dd at the D lcus, fund n canine chrmsme #25. The gene at the D lcus is cmmnly called the dilutin gene but is mre crrectly termed the melanphilin gene r MLPH. The term dilutin is used in a descriptive fashin in reference t the scattered and randm nature f the pigment granules f the hair shaft fund in dd Labradrs (this gives them the silver lk), which is in cntrast t the cntinuus and rganized granules seen in nn- dd Labradrs (Black, Chclate and Yellw). Initially, the term Silver applied slely t dilute Chclate Labradrs hwever, in time, it was understd that the MLPH gene als affected the appearance f Yellw and Black Labradrs, t which the adjective Silver did nt readily apply. Inasmuch as the appearance f these Labradrs was nt the same as is seen in the MLPH Chclate Labradrs, ther adjectives were emplyed t better describe them, Champagne fr Yellw Labradrs and Charcal fr Black Labradrs. Althugh the adjectives Silver, Charcal, and Champagne are cmmnly used, it is clearly understd that the base genetic clrs and hair pigment are Chclate, Black, and Yellw, the breed standard-described clrs fr Labradrs. Labradrs that carry the MLPH gene are AKC pedigree Labradr Retrievers whse breed purity is certified by the AKC. The AKCʼs statements: "The fundatin fr the AKC registry is based n parentage and nt clr." "We [AKC] shuld register all Lab pups cming frm purebred AKC registered Labs." In 1987 an investigatin was dne n the purity f Silver Labradrs. This is what AKC stated After a review f pictures, the file and histry f this issue which ges back t 1987, we feel the mst apprpriate clr fr registratin is Chclate. We will entertain cmplaints f impure breedings n an individual basis, but cmplaints shuld be based n mre than clr. In 1987 we cnducted an inquiry int the breeding f the litters that cntained the dgs that were registered as silver and ne f ur

2 representatives was sent t bserve several f the dgs that had been registered as silver. Clr phtgraphs f these dgs were frwarded t the ffice f the American Kennel Club where the staff f the AKC and the representatives f the Labradr Retriever Club f America examined them. Bth parties were satisfied that there was n reasn t dubt that the dgs were purebred Labradr Retrievers, hwever bth parties felt that the dgs were incrrectly registered as silver. Since the breed standard describes chclate as ranging in shade frm Sedge t chclate, it was felt that the dgs culd mre accurately be described as chclate than as silver. Accusatins f intentinal crssbreeding t intrduce the MLPH gene frm anther breed are unfunded and categrically false. The Cuncil encurages all breeders f MLPH gene Labradrs t participate in the Breed Purity DNA testing prgram t publicly demnstrate breed purity. Genetic Basis & Histric Basis Regarding the LRC Psitin: There is n genetic basis fr the silver gene in Labradrs The phrase Genetic Basis suggests that the rt f a cnditin is the result f genes. It is a prven genetic fact that the Silver variatin in Labradrs is the result f a gene, MPLH, and it therefre has a genetic basis. The MPLH gene is recessive and is nly cmpletely bvius in the presence f the gene respnsible fr the Chclate clr which is als a recessive gene. Chclates were rare histrically (until they became ppular) making the silver gene even mre rare. The genetic basis fr the geneʼs histrical rarity can be tied t its recessive nature in cmbinatin with lw numbers f Chclate Labradrs histrically; a genetic basis. The tw clsest relatins f the Labradr Retriever breed, wh trace their rigins t the same fundatin canines (St. Jhnʼs water dg) frm the island f Newfundland Labradr, Canada; are the Chesapeake Bay Retriever and the Newfundland breed. Bth pssess the MLPH gene, anther genetic basis. The Labradr Retrieverʼs rigin began in Newfundland Labradr, Canada - hence the name the Labradr Retriever. It was later shipped ver t the United Kingdm and refined there. It is a Canadian breed.

3 Breed authr Mary Rslin-Williams wrte: "There is anther clr which I had heard f but never seen and that was a rumr f a bluish r silver Labradr in the ld days, with a dark stripe r stripes dwn the back." The Authr later reprts that she des have the pprtunity t see a different litter f grey Labradr puppies and that as they grw they eventually darken t black. It is nt uncmmn t read debates ver whether the puppies the Authr persnally saw were dilute r nt. Hwever, what cannt be argued is that the Authr had heard f ther "bluish r silver Labradrs" in "the ld days." These were Labradrs the Authr never persnally saw. N ne can interpret her statement ther than fr what it is, a reprt f Silver Labradrs histrically. (Nte: The Authr was a breeder frm the United Kingdm whse vast experience with Labradrs dates t the late 1930's. Fr her, the "ld days" were at least pre-1930, but can easily mean prebreed recgnitin, pssibly the 1800's.) A histrically based genetic basis. There are many genetic and histrical facts that prve that the MPLH gene has always been in the Labradr Retriever. Just like the chclate, its simply becming mre ppular and thus deserves t be recgnized.

4 The issue with the AKC Registratin... While we understand why certain grups d nt want MPLH gene Labradrs being registered, the accusatins that Labradr Retrievers with MLPH gene are f impure lineage is nt fact based. The Cuncil lks farther int the repercussins f alternate registratin fr Labradrs that carry the MLPH gene. The Cuncil seriusly questins the wisdm in requiring DNA testing fr any particular gene as a cnditin f registratin. Such a plicy prduces the ptential fr an endless list f breed qualifying DNA tests ranging frm physical cnfrmatin characteristics t genetic diseases. It wuld be ridiculus t require testing fr a clr gene and nt genes that are respnsible fr debilitating diseases r cnfrmatinal faults. Requiring these qualificatins tests places undue burden n the registrant and will ultimately prmte the breeding f unregistered dgs. Screening fr genetic traits shuld remain at the discretin f the dg wner and respnsibility f the breeder. Clr is nt a disease, nr is it linked with any disease in the Labradr Retriever (Please read belw n Clr Dilutin Alpecia). If we are ging t require testing, why nt make it fr the tp 3 debilitating diseases in Labradr Retrievers: Exercise Induced Cllapse (EIC), Prgressive Retinal Atrphy (PRA) and Centrnuclear Mypathy (CNM). Many tp cnfrmatin lines carry mre than ne f these, why is clr a tp pririty when these diseases debilitate all Labradrs. Shuldnʼt healthy be number ne? Sme ptential results f requiring DNA testing: - Lss f registratins with unquestinably the premier canine registry in the USA, if nt the wrld. The AKC is a significant catalyst fr the breeding f better Labradrs and fr develping mre ethical breeders thrugh kennel inspectins, recrd keeping, DNA services, etc... Lss f registratin means: Fewer AKC registered Labradrs Prer bred Labradrs Deterirated breeding practices Unregulated kennels Lss f ability t fairly cmpete and shw in AKC cmpanin and perfrmance events. Reductin in well-trained Labradrs due t decrease in ability t cmpete in specific disciplines requiring AKC registratin. Lss f pprtunity t refine and prve the natural abilities f Labradrs.

5 - There will always be MLPH gene carrying Labradr Retrievers Breeders will cntinue t breed their Labradr Retrievers, especially if the fcus f the line is nt cnfrmatin/shw. Labradrs are knwn fr their retrieving, bedience, athleticism, and ability as service dgs in the widest array frm seeing-eye t search and rescue. Clr des nt matter in these disciplines; it nly seems t matter in cnfrmatin/shw. Imprvement breeders will cntinue t breed t the best available AKC Labradrs, CH, FC, etc... because they knw it will IMPROVE the breed. Nw lyal AKC Labradr breeders will have n chice but t seek ut a mre accepting registry. Peple that currently hate MLPH gene carrying Labradrs (and hate the breeders wh have MLPH Labradr lines) will cntinue t beman these Labradrs regardless f cnsequence. The ever ppular qute frm 3LW (a rap artist) cmes t mind: Haterʼs gnna hate. - 3LW, The CPLR des nt cndne breeding with the "primary" intentin t prduce any ne particular Labradr Retriever clr, cmmnly called clr breeding. The CPLR recgnizes that many Labradr Retriever breeders breed within a certain Labradr clr but that their primary gal is nt t just prduce that clr, but rather healthy, intelligent, gd tempered, and trainable Labradrs - sme which happen t be either silver, charcal r champagne. While it may be true that sme peple believe t develp a Silver Labradr yu must crss it with a Weimaraner and thus have dne s, these are nt breeders educated in Labradr Retrievers nr are they cnsidered ethical breeders. These breeders fall int the same categry as Labraddle breeders. The MPLH gene exists in many breeds including the Great Dane, Sheltie and Grey Hunds. The cnfusin arises because the grey slid clr in Weimaraners and Silver Labradrs are very similar. The Kellggʼs kennel argument als plays int this fictin but there is n evidence they EVER bred r even had Weimaraners. It is simply an easy scapegat fr Silver Labradr haters t hang n.

6 It is up t the cnsumer t infrm themselves and investigate the breeder befre purchasing a puppy. This ges fr ALL BREEDERS OF LABRADORS. While gd breeders allcate cuntless hurs, mney and effrt int breeding the best pssible Labradr Retrievers and cnstantly imprving their lines, there will always remain bad breeders wh dnʼt. Clr des nt play any rle in quality f Labradr Retriever if bred by an unethical breeder. Just like pr Silver Labradrs, there are als many pr Black, Chclate and Yellw Labradrs. Quality is a direct result f a breederʼs chice; t decrease the quantity f pr quality Labradrs cnsumers MUST demand the highest standard f breeding practice. The CPLR prmtes the participatin in the Imprvement Mvement, a recgnized prgram that rewards breeders fr their effrts in imprving their kennel bldlines. This can als be a surce fr ptential buyers t seek ut breeders wh uphld the highest standards in their breeding prgram. Clr Dilutin Alpecia (CDA) The ntin that Labradr Retrievers that express the MLPH gene are mre susceptible t the disrder Clr Dilutin Alpecia is grssly exaggerated and is nt supprted by mdern research int this therized cnnectin (see: Welle M. et al MLPH Gentype Melanin Phentype Crrelatin in Dilute Dgs. J f Hered, 100:S75 S79). There are presently n scientific data available fr CDA in Labradr Retrievers. The CPLR encurages member participatin in research endeavrs aimed at understanding and eliminating CDA in canines. We want t understand the prblem and eliminate it. Health is a pririty. Cnclusin These are all facts abut Silver Labradrs that certain peple like t ignre. If yu wuld like mre infrmatin please visit the CPLR website. We are mre than happy t answer any questins! We als have a petitin t allw Silver Labradrs t btain equal rights. We encurage yu t make an infrmed decisin based n all the infrmatin and facts available and sign the petitin. Please be aware that there are strng vices/pinins against these beautiful dgs, and that nt all infrmatin is based n fact. But if yu like silver, charcal r champagne Labradrs, please help ur cause - sign ur petitin. Why did the CPLR begin? Althugh the cntrversy ver Silver Labradrs has nw existed fr several decades, the fires have recently been stked due t ne f ur Labs winning High In Trial in Obedience at the Ptmac Labradr Specialty. A wnderful accmplishment fr any AKC Labradr! The renewed attacks against ur Labradr Retrievers frm this event, including frm ur wn Parent Club (Labradr Retriever Club, aka LRC) thrugh their pinin statement n Silver Labradrs, have been bth prejudiced and vehement. We

7 have btained reprts that sme LRC members are attempting t pressure the LRC Bard int having the AKC limit r impede registratin f ur purebred Labradrs. In that the LRC is unwilling t include us directly in this discussin, which specifically affects ur Labradrs, we are initiating a direct dialg with the AKC. Our intent t ensure that any decisin is based in facts and science, and nt club plitics and biased pressuring. As wners f AKC Labradr Retrievers, we have lng std by the AKC and the findings f the investigatins int dilute gene Labradrs frm the 1980s, wherein it was determined that there was n reasn t questin the purity f ur Labs. As there was n questin all thse decades ag, there can nly be even less questin nw. We cntinue t hpe and believe that the AKC will stand by us in the defense f ur Purebred-Pedigreed Labradr Retrievers, and we lk frward t the pprtunity t cntribute t this lvely breed. If yu wuld like t supprt ur cause please g t and sign ur petitin.