[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by WalnutHill

We live in Lebanon, MO. In Laclede County, where we live, it is my understanding that there are over 600 USDA licensed breeders. I don't know what the numbers are in Missouri as a whole, but if I were to guess, I'd say that we have more USDA breeders here than anywhere in the nation, and we probably have the most of any county in the nation. That's certainly not something to be "bragging" about, but I'm just saying that my experience with breeders is a lot different than most people.

I don't advocate or villify Hunte, they are what they are, and obviously they are filling a demand. But, the people who breed specifically for Hunte are, in general, not breeding to better the breed, they are breeding for minimal health standards and nothing else. When Hunte buys a dog, they are looking at a few things: major health issues, size, and papers. Hunte gives no incentives to breeders to produce better puppies. Hunte doesn't know the standards for the breed, and usually neither do the breeders. Hunte looks at the registration papers to makes sure it's a "pure bred" dog, and that's about it. Around here, people look at me like I'm crazy when I mention our local AKC breed club or AKC shows. Most of these breeders are looking at the "bottom line." Breeding is extra income. There is no reason to be affiliated with any organization that will cause them to spend any extra time on their dogs. Now, I'm not saying they are all bad or that they all produce bad puppies, but the intention is not to better the breed but to make money.

People around here generally have more than one breed. someone told my dad that the reason they do that is in case the "bottom falls out" of a market for one type of dog. Someone actually told him to "not put all of your eggs in one basket." Basically, they want to be breeding the type of dogs that are most popular and that Hunte pays the most for. Of course, we breed Yorkies because we want to breed Yorkies. If no one ever buys a puppy from us again, we'll still breed Yorkies.

I am going on a rant, so, I'm sorry. I'll stop. I didn't mean to hijack the thread.

No, you didn't hijack the tread, you are educating.

As long as their are people out there that are buying puppies that are more concerned with the the quality, and health of a puppy, you are going to have those type of breeders that breed and live off their dogs. Sad, but true. I have people call me and the first words out of their mouths is how much. I rudely say, you can't afford my dogs and hang up. I don't care if they can afford them, but if they are more concerned with the bottom dollar, I don't want them having one of my pups.