(Continued from page 7)
How can young people pursue “breeding to standard” when those dogs that
do NOT represent this blueprint win on a consistent basis? Can one argue
with success?
Sadly, standards are being changed upon occasion to “fit the dog.” Rarely
does a standard change have a positive affect on a breed. Breeds are
“bleeding” into each other at an alarming rate as distinctions between
breeds fade into “commonality”.
Someone is buying a new puppy. Ask to evaluate the possible purchase; we
go through a process of evaluation. It seems people only hear what they
want to hear and are determined to circle around to their initial intentions. I
soften my critique by asking question.
My first question is:
What is your goal? What are you looking for in this breeding? “A winner”.
What commonalities do the ancestors have? “Don’t know, haven’t seen
them”.
Will you recognize it if it DOES appear in this litter? “Can’t tell you”. I’ll just
keep the best one.
Do you understand basic form and function and its importance? “Not that
important today, they don’t do the job they were bred for anymore.”
My goal is to get the wheels turning. After a short conversation of which I
DID NOT articulate my feelings regarding the particular puppy another tactic
was applied. We did a “show and tell” on a correct dog. Noting the differ-
ences, once again the prospective puppy was put on the table. The buyer,
going over both animals, chose NOT to see the differences. She sacrifices
her future breeding program and buys the puppy that will win today. Select-
ing on a single virtue, nothing will come from future breeding plans as she
has NO plan.
“Don’t ask” anyone about your dogs unless you value their opinion. If you
have a gut feeling about a puppy, grow it out! Volunteered information is not
always good as no one knows your particular line as well as you do. Really
GOOD puppies do not go through bad stages; they simply grow up, often
looking like tiny adults without coat. The style, attitude, and presence ARE
(Continued on page 9)
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132 |
Page 133 |
Page 134 |
Page 135 |
Page 136 |
Page 137 |
Page 138 |
Page 139 |
Page 140 |
Page 141 |
Page 142 |
Page 143 |
Page 144 |
Page 145 |
Page 146 |
Page 147 |
Page 148 |
Page 149 |
Page 150 |
Page 151 |
Page 152 |
Page 153 |
Page 154 |
Page 155 |
Page 156 |
Page 157 |
Page 158 |
Page 159 |
Page 160 |
Page 161 |
Page 162 |
Page 163 |
Page 164 |
Page 165 |
Page 166 |
Page 167 |
Page 168 |
Page 169 |
Page 170 |
Page 171 |
Page 172 |
Page 173 |
Page 174 |
Page 175 |
Page 176 |
Page 177 |
Page 178 |
Page 179 |
Page 180 |
Page 181 |
Page 182 |
Page 183 |
Page 184