With all the hoopla about breeding to standard, all one has to do is take a look around at the Show Ring The German Shepherd can hardly walk now, looks like frog legs, So over-angulated that young dogs and pups have to walk on their hocks, that is just not pleasing to watch anymore. The Pekingese that won Westminster could barely walk, where is that dogs free movement? His tongue was hanging out after he walked just a few steps. I honestly thought it was painful to watch him struggle just to walk. The basset hound is suppose to be capable of long endurance, have reach and be fluid. They are so fat they can barely make it around the ring. Some of the dogs noses have been bred so short they can barely breath. So many of the show dogs that follow their standard have become so exaggerated that it has become detrimental to the health,welfare and soundness of the breed. I could go on and on about some of the breeds. So don't tell me about standards, I know them very well. I would rather have a healthy happy dog with a wrong color coat than one with many health, structure and temperament problems. I am sure most of the pet people feel the same way.
I breed for Health first, then structure, the color is just an added bonus of which I am fond of. I have a very high standard for my yorkies. |