BybQuestion:I get on here time and time again and everyone just dogs anyone who breeds dogs that does not show them. Calls them back yard breeders. Well I just want to let all of you know that there are people who breed dogs that dont show them, yet they will only breed to the standards of that breed. Yes I hope to some day have the time to be able to show dogs, but right at the moment I have to hold a full time job because my wife and kids like to eat and have a place to live. Yes I do breed boxers and sell them as pets no I dont make any money at it just barely pays for the food and vet bills, but my family and I enjoy every minute of it. Who knows maybe some day one of the puppies will grow up to be a champion dog. I keep all records of the dogs up to date. I am willing to let the AKC come audit my records at anytime or inspect my kennels at anytime they want. I have nothing to hide. I guess I am trying to say that there are some people you all consider byb that are responsible breeders. Some do it for the love of the breed. Yes there are some breeders who don't give a ---- about their dogs and they are in it just for the money and not the welfare of the dogs and they should be stopped. This is just my opinion and you have the right to agree or disagree Answer: I personally would never buy a dog from someone who bred show animals. A dog is meant to be a pet and/ or a worker, not an ornament on the end of leash. Now a dog may be bred to be a pet/ worker and secondarily be fit to show in a ring, but a dog whose main purpose is to look good is not for me. Answer: I'm sure that there are those on the forum that feel this way but from what I've gotten is that they are much more concerned in the health and welfare of dogs not just if they are showable. I have my own personal beliefs on breeding whether it's a purebred or a mixed breed. So I generally stay out of those conversations. But from most of the posts I've read concerning breeding the members on this forum's number one concern is of the dog. And to be honest w/ you I think that there are way to many people who breed for money. Even show people! Actually imo 1 person breeding for money is to many. I also don't think it is wrong to breed pets. As long as you are responsible and are taking everything into account like good owners vet bills health checks and all the rest. Answer: Cooldogs, thank you for sharing your experiences with breeding. I have heard and read about something called Kennel blindness. It's when we love our animals so much that we might miss or minimize some of their faults. (the old Love is Blind). So is there a way that someone who doesn't show can minimize that aspect? Does belonging to the Breed specific kennel club help? Answer: I would never buy from someone who doesn't show their dogs, it's a record of quality. As for kennel blindness I see it more from BYBS who say "I follow the standard, my dogs could win if I showed them..." It's also my opinion that if you can't take the time to show or work your dog than you have NO business breeding. Answer: I would never conformation show - not horses or dogs - I am just not interested in it and I don't believe that it is necessary. I do believe that dogs should be used for the purpose that they were bred for as well as being members of your family. I find that lots of people in the show world are so snobby about their animals - and I am talking horses as well as dogs - that they are unbearable and I wouldn't buy a glass of lemonade from them - much less a pet. Plus half the judges are looking for their own ideal anyways. I believe that a repsonisble breeder is one who: **Adhere's to the breed standards. **Does all the approriate health testing **Places their puppies in appropriate homes. **Loves their animals and does not look upon them as tools for showing or $$'s. The list could go on - but you get the gist. Answer: I would not buy from a breeder that does not show their dogs. And when I mean show, I don't mean the breed ring. Yes they should meet the standard but I want to know that the dogs are bred for what they are intended to do. I am a lab person and while I myself may never hunt(would love to) I will want to make sure the breeder has proven hunters. Therefore, they must be active with their dogs. Answer: I would never say that my dogs would win if I were to show them I said that some day I would like to see one of my dogs win at a show, but I have never showed them so I could not say that they would win. And as far as working with my dogs, I spend every minute of free time that I have working and playing with them. Some of us don't get to take off work when ever we feel like it to show thier dogs this is something that my wife and I plan on doing at the point when we retire. As far as kennel blindness, I have never told anyone that my dogs are the best of the breed, every dog has something that can be improved upon even any dog that wins best of breed at any given show. Not all buyers want the best of the breed, some of them want a good pet for them or their children. If all dogs were to be shown, then your "record of quality" would mean nothing. If I were breeding hunting dogs then I would take them hunting, I do however breed dogs that are family oriented, obedient and good with children, and I get alot of buyers for that. Answer: This debate is not a new one it has many faces and many voices. Now a few points for everyone to ponder. 1) Not all "show" breeders are resposible. It is not uncommon for a health issue to be overlooked because the dog is a ranked winner and popular stud. Unstable temperaments are a big problem (in the show dogs), at least in boxers. I have seen it countless times, and their is always an excuse at the ready should the dog act up. Sorry, IMO, their is NO excuse for a boxer to have an unstable temperament, fact is it deviates from the standard. Just because someone shows does not make them a responsible breeder. I have said this many times and I continue to stand by it. I have seen first hand how some of these dogs live just to be show pieces not pets. 2) Not everyone who does not show is irresponsible. Showing can be expensive and not everyone is finicially able to show. The show ring can be a nasty place, just as often as it is a fun place, some choose to simply stay out of that mess. I was given a very sound piece of advise when I started in dogs, before I even thought about showing. "Breed what you like and promote your own" In boxers especially, there are different "styles" or "Types", everyone interprets the written standard differently and and breed based on how they interpret it. As a result many "versions" are out there, one must find what they like and stick with it. Now: This is all my opinion and nothing more. I have formed them based on what I see and hear ringside as well as from other people I encounter. You may or may not agree with me and that's O.K., that is the glory of being individuals;) |
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