Me. Technically.
I cannot get over HOW much flack and negativity I receive for not showing my dogs and winning titles before breeding them. Since when did a title say "breeding quality". Why isn't health testing and a safe and healthy pedigree enough?
Don't get me wrong. Kudos to those that go out there, spend hundreds upon hundreds of dollars, win titles, travel, find a stud with a title on his name and breed outstanding, SHOW QUALITY litters.
I never claimed to breed show quality dogs. I breed pets. Quality, purebred pets. Because, let's face it, there are people out there, who want a purebred dog, and do not want to have to give their left kidney, their first born, plus $3000 for a show quality dog, that would be "wasted" and neutered/spayed.
Many will argue that there are millions of homeless pets in shelters that need homes, some of them purebred! I agree. And I ABSOLUTELY support shelters and rescues. If I had a potential customer that was deciding between a dane or crested puppy from me, or a dane or crested puppy from a shelter, I'd direct them towards the pup that needed them most, obviously. Needless to say, there will always be people that want a specific, purebred dog. Sometimes, these can't be found in shelters, and sometimes, they can't afford or even QUALIFY for a pup from a breeder that shows. That's where I come in.
Unfortunately, there are puppy mills as well. People who pump out litter after litter from unhealthy, malnourished dogs kept their whole lives in crates annd kennels. Many will argue that what I do is just a "glorified" puppy mill. Disguising myself with a Kennel Name, a Pretty Website, and Fancy Pedigrees. I have to whole heartedly disagree.
While I do now show my dogs, or their offspring, I AM ethical. I have met the most HEARTLESS show breeders who look at their dogs as nothing more than a title and a breeding machine. I believe that ethicity can only be provided through love, nurturing and patience - not winning titles, and buying the most expensive dog with the "best" pedigree.
I DO support showing. I think it is a great way to expose your dog and create a strong bond between you and your best friend. I actually will consider showing cresteds, and perhaps, move to danes one day. It is something that I consider, and want to pursue one day. Most do not know exactly how much money it costs to show. Why not establish yourself first with happy and healthy dogs and THEN move up in the "Dog world"? If that is the route you want to go.
This is such a touchy subject for alot of breeders I know. It is hard to find the fine line to justify what you do is right, and to prove yourself time and time again to the industry.
Regardless, breeders like myself, who are trying to better the breed WITHOUT winning titles and do what is ethically right in this industry will always recieve flack for what we do. We will always run into the pompous asshole who demands why we don't destroy our merles at birth, or tries to convince us as to why cropping is the way to go - or cuss us out for breeding a Piebald.
I suppose it is just something that comes with the job, something we'll always have to deal with. At first it is hard, but i'm sure after a while it will be easier to ignore and laugh off. When I first started, I was following the advice of some "established" breeders who were not guiding me down the right path. Thrilled that I found someone to take me under their wing, I was blind to their shadiness and had learned otherwise. In this industry it is hard. DAMN hard to find the fine line between the trust of strangers, the competition and to also listen to that little voice inside you telling to you to do what's right. I found that the medley of them all is what is guiding me (finally!) in the right direction. I am honored, and satisfied with who is "guiding" me now and cannot WAIT to continue this journey.
But for now, we'll just keep on truckin' with our tongues wagging out in the breeze....
I cannot get over HOW much flack and negativity I receive for not showing my dogs and winning titles before breeding them. Since when did a title say "breeding quality". Why isn't health testing and a safe and healthy pedigree enough?
Don't get me wrong. Kudos to those that go out there, spend hundreds upon hundreds of dollars, win titles, travel, find a stud with a title on his name and breed outstanding, SHOW QUALITY litters.
I never claimed to breed show quality dogs. I breed pets. Quality, purebred pets. Because, let's face it, there are people out there, who want a purebred dog, and do not want to have to give their left kidney, their first born, plus $3000 for a show quality dog, that would be "wasted" and neutered/spayed.
Many will argue that there are millions of homeless pets in shelters that need homes, some of them purebred! I agree. And I ABSOLUTELY support shelters and rescues. If I had a potential customer that was deciding between a dane or crested puppy from me, or a dane or crested puppy from a shelter, I'd direct them towards the pup that needed them most, obviously. Needless to say, there will always be people that want a specific, purebred dog. Sometimes, these can't be found in shelters, and sometimes, they can't afford or even QUALIFY for a pup from a breeder that shows. That's where I come in.
Unfortunately, there are puppy mills as well. People who pump out litter after litter from unhealthy, malnourished dogs kept their whole lives in crates annd kennels. Many will argue that what I do is just a "glorified" puppy mill. Disguising myself with a Kennel Name, a Pretty Website, and Fancy Pedigrees. I have to whole heartedly disagree.
While I do now show my dogs, or their offspring, I AM ethical. I have met the most HEARTLESS show breeders who look at their dogs as nothing more than a title and a breeding machine. I believe that ethicity can only be provided through love, nurturing and patience - not winning titles, and buying the most expensive dog with the "best" pedigree.
I DO support showing. I think it is a great way to expose your dog and create a strong bond between you and your best friend. I actually will consider showing cresteds, and perhaps, move to danes one day. It is something that I consider, and want to pursue one day. Most do not know exactly how much money it costs to show. Why not establish yourself first with happy and healthy dogs and THEN move up in the "Dog world"? If that is the route you want to go.
This is such a touchy subject for alot of breeders I know. It is hard to find the fine line to justify what you do is right, and to prove yourself time and time again to the industry.
Regardless, breeders like myself, who are trying to better the breed WITHOUT winning titles and do what is ethically right in this industry will always recieve flack for what we do. We will always run into the pompous asshole who demands why we don't destroy our merles at birth, or tries to convince us as to why cropping is the way to go - or cuss us out for breeding a Piebald.
I suppose it is just something that comes with the job, something we'll always have to deal with. At first it is hard, but i'm sure after a while it will be easier to ignore and laugh off. When I first started, I was following the advice of some "established" breeders who were not guiding me down the right path. Thrilled that I found someone to take me under their wing, I was blind to their shadiness and had learned otherwise. In this industry it is hard. DAMN hard to find the fine line between the trust of strangers, the competition and to also listen to that little voice inside you telling to you to do what's right. I found that the medley of them all is what is guiding me (finally!) in the right direction. I am honored, and satisfied with who is "guiding" me now and cannot WAIT to continue this journey.
But for now, we'll just keep on truckin' with our tongues wagging out in the breeze....
