My sheep are Rylands. Just because they are not part of the society anymore does not mean anything. The proof does not have to come from being registered
We started with registered stock and have always used registered Rams.
The Flock Book Soc were always involved in in fighting which we refused to be a part of. It would seem that just because we didnt swell the coffers of the Soc with our money, our sheep become outcasts. I dont think so!
The nastiness obviously still goes on then. Glad not to be a part of it.
Sorry, Amanda, if I sounded like a snotty, up myself Ryeland breeder - didn't mean to. It was badly put if you thought that.
I do think though that it's important that purebred animals are registered, regardless of the politics of the particular association, so that they are kept in the gene pool for the breed which, like it or not, depends on registration.
I agree with kaz that the RFBS does seem to have changed a lot in the last few years and is much better now. I do still feel like a second class citizen though, as a breeder of coloured sheep which are still seen as second rate by many white breeders. In fact the Society is just about to spend several thousand pounds on genetic research basically into the coloured gene (however it's dressed up as looking at other genetic issues like entropion) so that white breeders can eliminate it from white flocks - thus avoiding the DISASTER of white sheep throwing the odd coloured lamb.