I have been neglecting this blog site....for a number of reasons. Though I am gifted with the "gift of gab", I seem to be less inclined to keep the blog moving. I do however try to come back to it when something important comes to light. What is important to me may not be important to others but the dog fancy has had its share of problems with "public thinking" over the past few years. Animal rights groups have been putting their noses in all facets of the animal business but has really managed to work on the public's concept of dog breeding.
Before I get some feathers ruffled let me say that I am neither against mixed breeds or rescues. I have shared my life with both over the years and was an active rescuer in the hight of my involvement in showing and breeding Australian Shepherds. My Novice A obedience dog was a mix I brought back from France with me....he was a wonderful dog and lived to be close to 16 yrs old. I had another mix that my ex and I rescued from a house we were building....the intent was to nurse him back to health, vet him, and find him a home. When his eyes met mine I knew that he was going nowhere. I was heartbroken and devastated when I lost him to cancer when he was 10.
Right now my home is shared with two Australian Shepherds and two Chihuahuas. All purebred and all from breeders. I am often asked if they are rescues. This is now the norm....if your dog isn't a rescue you are made to feel guilty for owning a purebred from a breeder. I will admit that the chihuahuas come from local breeders but lets not confuse them with puppy mill breeders...they both paid attention to temperament and removed dogs from their breeding programs that either produced health or temperament issues. They may not be the ideal as far as show breeders go but working for the vet that cared for their animals, I knew what I was getting. My Aussies come from a long time friend and Aussie breeder out of state. I am not ashamed of getting these dogs from breeders.
Adopting rescues is wonderful but the misconception is that mixes are heartier and that by adopting not shopping as they say keeps dogs from dying in shelters. First off in the day of "street" dogs the mixes were heartier due to survival of the fittest. This no longer applies because we are now in the world of "designer" dogs in which mixes are created using dogs of lesser quality to produce and yes, they have their share of health issues. I am appalled at the prices people pay to buy one of these dogs. And secondly, a true hobby breeder takes responsibility for every dog produced....for life. These are not the dogs in shelters or rescues.
Animal rights groups like to pull at heartstrings with sad ads on tv and making people think that because of breeders dogs are suffering. The truth is that some of these groups have gone as far as actually killing dogs (poisoning with antifreeze) to make a point. They are working on legislation to regulate dog breeding which is intended to hurt the puppy mills but in truth, the hobby breeders who do this in addition to full time jobs and for the love of their breeds, are paying the price.
Facebook friend and blogger Susi Szeremy has decided that enough is enough. As a member of the hobby breeder and dog show world she was watching the backlash fast becoming a threat to the purebred dog. She declared May 1 National purebred dog day and has started a very successful facebook page that not only honors purebreds but educates. There are so many breeds out there that many of us know little about and with the help of people in those breeds, Susi highlights them for all to learn.
Also now through Kickstarter a campaign has started to develop a website to keep the proper information going to the public. This is not an attempt to lash at rescue or mixes....it is a means to continue the breeding of some wonderful breeds of dogs out there that have been developed for a purpose and to give the public a place to find information to assist them in making that very important decision when adding a new four legged family member.
Whichever side of the fence you are on at least check out the below links and for those of you not sure which route to go these sites will help you.....and to friends out there breeding and competing with purebred dogs, we need your help and support to keep producing the wonderful animals you live with!
https://www.facebook.com/NationalPurebredDogDay
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1405558793/national-purebred-dog-day
I know its a bit long, but those that know me know.....well I will leave it at that...LOL
Jen
No comments:
Post a Comment