What are the responsibilities of a Breed Association? In attempt to answer
the question first we must define the components.
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| Photo: Courtesy of Tobias Bernsee |
Breed;
n.
1. A
group of organisms having common ancestors and certain distinguishable characteristics,
especially a group within a species developed by artificial selection and
maintained by controlled propagation6.
Breeder;
v.
a. To
cause to reproduce, especially by controlled mating and selection: breed cattle.
b. To
develop new or improved strains in (organisms), chiefly through controlled
mating and selection of offspring for desirable traits6.
n.
1. A person who breeds animals or
plants.
2. An animal kept to produce offspring6.
Association;
n.
1. The
act of associating or the state of being associated.
2. An
organized body of people who have an interest, activity, or purpose in common;
a society6.
A Breed Association traditionally
focuses its efforts around a very well defined domestic animal originating from
a single species of animal or combination.
As part of functions a well written definition of the breed and any
recognized sub-classifications for color, shape, pattern, or other traits is
fostered; The Breed Standard. A Breed Standard is intended to be
rigid. It is what helps protect the
stability of the desired traits within a breed. Yet, on occasion needs will arise that allow
for later reinterpretation of traits based on; current breeder interests,
economics or genetic stability.
Additional association tasks may include,
but are not limited to recording of association activities, to include
pedigrees, show results, financials, officers, and historical reference. Many progressive breed associations regularly
contribute funding for research related to breed of choice. An often indirect result is a place for
breeders to associate in company of like kind and disseminate not only stock,
but discuss success and failure from respective breeding programs.
Worldwide there are numerous
organizations dedicated to the breeding of Guppies on both national and
regional levels. In the United States this
responsibility falls under the auspices of the International Fancy Guppy
Association (IFGA) 7. In
the world of livestock breeding the IFGA, along with others guppy organizations,
is a bit “unique” in the sense it was primarily organized for the
benefit of promotion and showing the end results of North American Guppy
Breeders.
IFGA
Constitution
ARTICLE 2 - PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES
Section 2.1 – Purpose
2.1.1 To
promote interest in, and scientific knowledge about guppies
2.1.2 To
promote interest in guppies through exhibition and the distribution of
information
Section 2.2 – Objectives
2.2.1 The
IFGA shall schedule, sanction and standardize show rules and classifications
Unique in the sense of its two primary stated
Purposes: 1. To promote interest in, and scientific knowledge about guppies; 2.
To promote interest in guppies through exhibition and the distribution of
information. For most breed associations are initially set up
around activities of livestock breeders with an underlying need for economic
success in farming a breed; based on value of selected traits to a location. While showing of stock is often an indirect
by-product of such ventures, it is outright prohibited by several breed
associations. This, in attempt to limit
or negate show ring influences on desired traits and the stated Breed Standard. In effect, it is thought successful breeders
utilizing traditional breeding techniques to produce a sound breeding program are
more favorable to the opinion of one individual, i.e. “The Judge”, on any given
day.
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| Photo: Courtesy of Tobias Bernsee |
The Domestic Guppy, and its breeding, has been based on just the
opposite with form selected for “aesthetic” values and not economically driven
influences. Breeding and showing for
much of the last century has both involved and evolved almost exclusively from a
single species; Poecilia
Reticulata. In North America to near
totality in the form of Delta tails, with minor emphasis on Veils and
Swordtails. In other parts of the world Swortails,
Roundtails, Speartails, Broadtails, Half Moons, Hi-fins, Swallows and a host of
other phenotypes stand on equal footing.
While slow to respond in North America, worldwide over the last decade
the Show Circuit has also started to incorporate two additional species of
guppy; Poecilia (Acanthophacelus) Obscura and Poecilia Wingei8. Given, there are “purest” breeders of all
three species in wild form. Though, it
should be accepted that in the venues of guppy domestication all three species
are involved in strain creation. Coupled
with modern breeders increased knowledge of genotype and accessibility to published
result, it has allowed for production of an ever expanding number of new
strains not only for color, but pattern and shape.
The IFGA is often thought of as being encumbered by one of its
primary stated objectives: The
IFGA shall schedule, sanction and standardize show rules and classifications. On
the contrary as this is a primary obligation of any breed organization, to
create Breed Standards. It creates a
sense of balance from stability of traits and allows for “fair place” judging
at shows with limited confrontation.
However, the IFGA also has the obligation to allow for changing times in
the form of breeder interests and genetic knowledge. After all we are not bound by economic
success as are most other breed associations, only genetic preservation of
traits.
This summer one of the IFGA’s premier regional affiliates: The Pan Pacific Guppy Association (PPGA) will
sponsor a class for “Other Caudal Shapes” in its August Show.
Pan Pacific
Guppy Association
Show Dates
August 17th & 18th
or
Here is a chance for North American breeders
to exhibit results of their “Non-conforming strains”. This should be viewed as a chance to promote
Domestic Guppy programs with “Set Goals” that produce predictable
results and not simply random events (hybrid crosses). It will be a NON-POINT CLASS having no impact
on regular established classes and yearly awards. No sense of obligation to show at every show
to accumulate points toward a class championship. Your opportunity to exhibit an outstanding
fish with no home in an established class.
A trophy will be awarded as with all other entries.
The Any
Other Caudal Shape class has been defined by Jim Alderson of the PPGA as: For fish that do not
meet the standards of any IFGA class (examples of fish that could be entered in
this class include round tails, cofer tails, pintails, wide tails, lyretails, etc.).
The fish will be judged based upon Symmetry1, Deportment2,
Color Pattern3, Density of Color4 and Intensity of Color5.
For those
of you with limited experience showing, this need not be an expensive or
intimidating venture. It can be done
for 15.00 or less. Simply double bag
your fish, download an entry form and label accordingly. Entries will likely be 2.50 each and shipping
can be had for 10.00 or less with USPS priority mail each way. This best part being the postal service will
even provide the box. Want to make it
even cheaper? Send an extra female and
check mark the box for “Auction” to make a club donation of
your stock. No insulation is needed this
time of year, though a layer of bubble wrap can help insure no punctures during
transit. Give it try. Sure beats culling your mature fish simply to
make room for the next generation upcoming fry.
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| Photo: Courtesy of Tobias Bernsee |
Simple by definition, the “Other Caudal Shapes” class should allow for a fair judging of fish
that go beyond normal IFGA scope and definition, yet with consideration toward
the IFGA’s values in creation of healthy, colorful and well developed Domestic
Guppies. Initial focus will not only be
on the breeders and their entries, but also the Judges. This will be a good test of IFGA Judges knowledge of
other strains found around the world and the genetic traits that compose
them. Also the ability and willingness
to accept new strains for accomplishments of breeders intended goals. After all, was this not what original IFGA
classes were based on nearly 50 years ago?
The desire to create specific phenotype based on then current genetic
understanding…
IFGA
Definitions:
Rules, Regulations and Judging Standards of the IFGA For
Showing Fancy Guppies (Judging Standards Booklet, mar 2013 Edition).
1. Symmetry; the
overall pleasing appearance of a fish with the proper proportions and color
balance.
2. Deportment; how
the fish swims and display itself.
3.
Color Pattern; dorsal
color should always be the same as the caudal.
Half black clearly defined line from below the dorsal fin to the bottom
of the body. Snakeskin unbroken chain link or rosette pattern with
background body color same as the caudal.
4. Density of Color;
amount of color in a given area.
5. Intensity of Color;
brightness of the color in a given area.
Sources:
8. SUSANNE SCHORIES, et. al. 2009. Description
of Poecilia (Acanthophacelus) obscura n. sp., (Teleostei: Poeciliidae), a new guppy species from western Trinidad, with remarks on P. wingei and the status
of the “Endler’s guppy”. http://www.mapress.com/zootaxa/2009/f/zt02266p050.pdf (6.3.13 active
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For Domestic Guppy breeders
with self-defined breeding programs, here is an
opportunity to exhibit your results. Failure
to support will meet with the comments we have all heard before. That being there is little interest in
showing fish in North America outside of currently defined IFGA classes
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