Quote:
Originally Posted by QuickSilver  Here is my new vision for breeding programs:
Each breed club acts as a "rating agency" for breeding dogs. A breeder pays a fee to have their dog assessed for adherence to breed standard. The dog's health and temperment are ALSO verified, maybe yearly. The YTCA makes every dog's scores are available online for potential buyers to check out.
Dogs that are exceptionally close to breed standard can be shown competitively, and presumably have offspring that would sell for higher prices.
There. Problem solved!  |
That would be wonderful idea! Quicksilver, I have read your posts with interest as you have an open mind and see quality does not necessarily follow the boundaries of a show ring. I could never show. My weekends are too full of ball games that I am not willing to miss. Maybe when my youngest goes off to college things will be different. But I know all too well how quickly they grow up and I am not missing any of my "last one at home's" experiences. I would have to travel to find any shows to speak of as I live in a very small town. So it is not doable for me even if I wanted to dedicate so many hours to showing, preening, and politicking.
I was on a waiting list from a breeder that used to show for quite a while to get a female. After getting to know me, she actually helped me find my male. She went with me to look at pups, we turned some down and then she called saying she had found one that would compliment my girl. She knew I wanted to start breeding in a very small way, using only the male and female that were my pets. She also knew I did not want to show. Thankfully she not only sold me one of her dogs with breeding rights after a time but also gave advice freely. I am glad she did not think people any less for not wanting to show. I am thankful for the time she took to help me get started correctly.
I don't care for the elitist attitude that only a show breeder could possibly be doing it right. I think what started out as a very informative thread could turn people off by this reasoning that only someone who shows could possibly be ethical or have the quality and knowledge necessary to perpetuate the breed. It might make people stop reading that need to learn not to breed that way out of standard yorkie, that tiny female, or uncomplimentary pairs. The reality is that show breeders could never supply all of the pets people want and have the right to enjoy. Why not at least share the knowledge to improve the situation even if it is not your "ideal."
I know a lot of work goes into the show breeder's life. I respect what they do and what they know. But they can't be the only people in the world with "
the knowledge." I agree with the poster who said there are many pets that could compete with show dogs. I too, agree with the idea that there has to be a lot of levels between the "show breeder" and the puppymill, and at least a few of those levels are ethical, responsible breeders who are providing wonderful yorkies within standard that could compete in the ring or just bring joy to a family (or both). I will never believe it is an "all of nothing" yorkie world. JMHO.