Quote:
Originally Posted by Jenny Olley
I'm talking about the people who breed pedigree KC registered dogs who have had all the relevant health tests done prior to breeding, they are good breeders breeding from sound parents with good health and temperaments. Again I agree breeding should never be taken lightly, and there are people breeding poor specimens, in all walks of life. I am saying there are lots of people breeding excellent dogs, whose parents have never been in a breed ring. They do know what they are doing, they socialise and habituate the litter well and produce excellent family companions, which at the end of the day is what most people are looking for.
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Breeding should be done to better a breed not simply to breed pups, so if the breeder is not involved with showing (which is the venue to assess the quality of their breeding stock against the standard and that of other breeders), or are involved with proving their dogs in the working arena where appropriate, why are they breeding?
You cannot have reputable breeder that is not involved in their breed beyond producing puppies.
In order to produce pups that meet the breed standard they need to evaluate their own and others breeding stock, that is what shows are primarily for. Otherwise they would have to drive up and down the country visiting breeders and stud owners to compare the dogs, and how would they find them in the first place if the owners were not members of breed societies.
Unfortunately it isn't enough to be healthy, for breeding a dog must have a temperament beyond reproach and typical for the breed and should be a good to outstanding example of it's breed based on the breed standard. It is very easy for an owner to think all their geese are swans, showing and working their dogs gives them a perspective and comparison.
There are more than enough pups left over from well bred litters for someone who wants a pedigree dog. For those who are not bothered about the looks and willing to take a chance on health and temperament there are plenty of dogs in rescue centres (where you won't be lining the pockets of poor breeders and puppy farmers), and at least their likely health issues are already apparent unlike a poorly bred pup.
I know many people in rescue, and the dogs ending up there are those who have breeders who don't give a damn, else they would not be in rescue but being privately re-homed through their breeder (yes the odd breeder will have died or become too frail to take dogs back, especially years later, but this is rare).
A well bred pup who could be taken into the ring or field and win makes just as god a companion as the poor specimen from a pet bred litter. the breeder has invested as much and more time in rearing it as well as choosing it's parentage.
The buyer has the advantage of knowing the very best possible has been done to produce a typical specimen of it's breed with the least chance of health issues, the other kind of puppy producers produce good pets by sheer luck, even if the litter is reared well.
If your paying for a pedigree pup shouldn't you expect teh whole package, and not a Skoda when you want a BMW.