Article Extinct Show Dog Breeders

[raineth]

I honestly think we need to stop feeling sorry for ourselves and blaming others for what's happening.

A persecution complex won't help. ANKC registered breeders have an image problem and each and every one of us has the power to make small steps to improve it.

So less self pity and more "how can I personally promote my breed and responsible breeding' is needed along with any more collective action.

it's not a right to breed dogs - its a responsibility and perhaps we need to do more if we wish to see the fancy flourish.

There are doers and whiners and from where I sit there's currently a lot more whining than doing.

Yep. I also think we tend to get paranoid and behave as if anyone who isn't "with us" is a radical vegan on a mission to destroy all dog ownership. Unfortunately, while we address ourselves to the radicals (whose minds aren't going to change anyway), we waste every day opportunities to make a positive impression on those who would benefit from owning a really good dog and would be open to buying one.

Edited to close a bracket

I have to agree! Some of that article was verging on conspiracy theory!

The best thing to be done would be to promote pedigree dogs so people understand their value, and so that people know that pedigree dogs aren't just for showing, as that is a common misconception.

Other than that I think if somehow the breed clubs could do as much as possible to ensure their breeders are breeding healthy and well temperamented dogs then this would also help. When my pedigree dog died at 15 months it confirmed a lot of people's opinions, including most of my family's, that pedigree dogs are unhealthy, and I still have people ask me how on earth I could consider getting a pedigree again after what happened to him. In my opinion healthy and happy pedigree dogs will largely talk for themselves as long as people can see them and meet them. But conversely unhealthy ones will have the opposite effect. So we need to make sure that as much as possible the dogs will indeed live up to the positive things we say about them.

Edited January 20, 2013 by raineth

[Florise]

When my pedigree dog died at 15 months it confirmed a lot of people's opinions, including most of my family's, that pedigree dogs are unhealthy, and I still have people ask me how on earth I could consider getting a pedigree again after what happened to him.

Your family believe he died because he was pedigreed? What did he die of?

[raineth]

When my pedigree dog died at 15 months it confirmed a lot of people's opinions, including most of my family's, that pedigree dogs are unhealthy, and I still have people ask me how on earth I could consider getting a pedigree again after what happened to him.

Your family believe he died because he was pedigreed? What did he die of?

No they believe he had the condition because he was a pedigree dog.

He died from complications following surgery to correct the condition and it would have taken his life without surgery anyway. The condition is a known health problem of the breed. If you want to know more you can PM as it is taking the thread off topic.

[alpha bet]

As we know this article is written in the States, i have been there at conferences twice in the last 3 years - talking with Trainers - it would appear to be reasonably accurate to what is actually happening there..... and this year i was in Europe and they are starting to see some of these issues developing as well.

Perhaps we need to take heed that it is likely to start to spill out here as well... Even now Victorian Dept Primary Industries is restricting Registered Purebred Breeders from advertising stock without microchips however the pet shop and puppy mills can use their registration no and no one is monitoring the BYB - the Designer Breeders have elaborate websites and no particular monitoring of this as well as there is no education system for the public to even be aware they should not be buying any pup in Vic without a microchip.....

Some of you have said " WHAT CAN WE DO" well lets be proactive - here are some suggestions....

We have to find ways to educate the public on a number of issues....... here are some starters and others here will have more ideas.

PUBLIC NEED TO SEE MORE PUREBREEDS OUT AND ABOUT IN PUBLIC.

Jo Average Public does not go to dogs shows/competitions these are generally held away from the public eye.... tucked away at the corner of an Agricultural Show or down at KCC park or Bulla (in victoria)... it seems the only time Public hears about the show scene lately is when there are shows critical of breeding/show practice and how the health of the pure breed is going downhill due to current fashions.....

Even if he does try to wander into the show scene to look he is blocked off by Show Tents jammed together around the rings - perhaps he forces his way thru to see whats going on and then encounters exhibitors (not always being terribly polite) if he happens to stand in their view or stand too close to their darlings...... (Sorry SHOWIES but it DOES HAPPEN).

Get your own pedigree dogs out and about in the public, down the parks, sitting at cafe's, into the nursing homes, rehabilitation hospitals, demonstrations.... anywhere you have a chance to show how great they are.... stop and talk to people when they want to know more.... tell them about the breed and about health testing.... educate them about the myths of the xbred vigour and the often hidden costs behind what seems a cheap puppy.... tell them about the microchipping and the disadvantages of puppy farms and pet shops.

We take our Aussies everywhere.... and I talk to anyone who wants to pat them and happy to spread the word about this fab breed - I've sold puppies to some great homes because they have seen me in the street and struck up a conversation and they take my details and it is common to have people contact me because they or a friend has told them about my dogs. I've had people stop and take photos on their phones to send to their friends because they hadn't seen this breed before.

Encourage your puppy buyers to do the same.... and arm these families with the information about health testing, breed advantages.

It is fun to show off your dogs and you meet some great people..... if you change their view they end up telling people at work what lovely dogs and helpful the breeders are.

BREEDERS NEED TO BE MORE PATIENT WITH PUPPY ENQUIRIES

We can advertise and promote our pure breeds but then we have to back it up with

- responding to emails enquiries

- advising it can take up to six months before a pup might be available as not like puppy farms we arnt breeding constantly

- keeping in touch or putting them on to other breeders who might have something suitable sooner.

- Treat pet homes with respect and honesty and don't mess them around by pulling a sale at the last minute because it suits you.

- Provide good follow up and even encourage buyers back for a picnic when the dogs are 6-9 months so you can see the development and help them thru any settling in problems.... this is great PR and they will spread the word about how wonderful their breeder is.....

Thats just for starters.... we can be our own worst enemy or best advertisment.... make a difference and make an effort.....

[SkySoaringMagpie]

When my pedigree dog died at 15 months it confirmed a lot of people's opinions, including most of my family's, that pedigree dogs are unhealthy, and I still have people ask me how on earth I could consider getting a pedigree again after what happened to him.

Your family believe he died because he was pedigreed? What did he die of?

As HW says, it may not be fair but public perception is the reality we have to deal with and for pedigree dogs there is zero social tolerance for health issues. Perversely in rescues it's almost a badge of honour to have a dog with all sorts of problems as it shows what a great saviour you are. So people don't think clearly about this and no amount of reason is going to reason people out of positions they didn't reason themselves into. I think alpha bet makes lots of sound observations about what is needed.

[mita]

I honestly think we need to stop feeling sorry for ourselves and blaming others for what's happening.

A persecution complex won't help. ANKC registered breeders have an image problem and each and every one of us has the power to make small steps to improve it.

So less self pity and more "how can I personally promote my breed and responsible breeding' is needed along with any more collective action.

it's not a right to breed dogs - its a responsibility and perhaps we need to do more if we wish to see the fancy flourish.

There are doers and whiners and from where I sit there's currently a lot more whining than doing.

Thank the lord for this post. I don't hear whining from the US registered breeders of my breed of interest (there's an international email list).

Incidentally, they've just tipped us off that the upcoming Westminster Dog Show in New York will be streamed live for the first time. And also that the total entry for 2013 is the largest for 15 years.

Of course, they mention puppy farming with all its horrors & are thoroughly 'agin such practices. I've also noticed how respectful they are of the many genuine rescues... who don't seem to have a maths problem in believing that one p/b dog adopted equals one shelter dog dying. Because the evidence is that one p/b dog, well bred & well-socialised & carefully adopted, is far less likely to swell shelter numbers.

To be frank, the attitudes towards dogs are much the same among those breeders as I hear among the good ethical rescues.

Also the Best of Show winner from Westminster goes on a Media tour which shows how p/b dogs are not just empty bags of 'correct' conformation.

Last year's winner, Malachy, appeared on numbers of television programs, rang the bell to open the New York Stock Exchange (& happily viewed the work from a lofty perch), did some pet therapy with children with cancer at a Ronald McDonald's House... & gobbled up the chicken and rice (on a silver platter) that Sardi's restaurant traditionally cooks for the winner.

The Photo Gallery from that 2012 Show has candid pics of the dogs in & around the ring, behaving like... real dogs... & getting lots of affection for it.

http://www.westminsterkennelclub.org/2013/show/news/wkctimes_issue4.html

PS Great proactive ideas, alpha bet.

Edited January 20, 2013 by mita

[Maddy]

When my pedigree dog died at 15 months it confirmed a lot of people's opinions, including most of my family's, that pedigree dogs are unhealthy, and I still have people ask me how on earth I could consider getting a pedigree again after what happened to him.

Your family believe he died because he was pedigreed? What did he die of?

No they believe he had the condition because he was a pedigree dog.

He died from complications following surgery to correct the condition and it would have taken his life without surgery anyway. The condition is a known health problem of the breed. If you want to know more you can PM as it is taking the thread off topic.

I think it's probably worth pointing out that even if a breed does have known health issues (PRA, HD, whatever), at least it as a known issue and when you buy a dog of that breed, you know what to expect and what your risks realistically are.

Compare that to a crossbred (especially the dogs that are so crossbred, it's impossible to pick a breed in them) where you never know what you might end up facing (or how much it might cost).

I think, to a certain extent, the general public judge the purebred dog more harshly because it is expected that the dog should be of much higher standard (in terms of health, temperament, etc) than a crossbred because it has been purposely bred. In some regards, that's a pretty fair call but then, there are plenty of people purposely breeding crossbred dogs so the same standards should apply there, also.