[gracielove]

Originally Posted by Belle Noir

I used to have traditional persians, and I still think they're one of the most beautiful cat breeds.

I worry that the yorkie MIGHT start going braciocephalic, as more and more are breeding for a short muzzle. As a whole that look is becoming quite popular and so more people are breeding for that look. Then with the popular sire syndrome, it's possible that in 20 years, 30 years, yorkies will have some of the same breathing issues due to having such a short muzzle as the persian.. or the pug, or peke...

This is why it is up to the real breeders to NOT get caught up by fads, and breed for something because it's winning. And it's up to the long time breeders to hold true to their standards of breeding and insure that they mentor people who are not susceptible to fads of fashion, thereby keeping the bred true.

I truly hope that puppy was not actually bred to be that small. I hope that she is just an unfortunate sport. It can indeed happen as we all should well know. Since I don't know this person and what they produce, I am going to take the high road and assume that the poor tiny hairy mouse just got all the dwarfism genes.

Just so you all know, I joke that the dogs are "haiwy wats" aka hairy rats. That teeny thing can only dream of being a hairy rat, hence, she is a hairy mouse. This is true because my daughter said so, lol.

One of the reasons I love the yorkie is as a whole it IS a healthy breed. Most of the health issues the breed seems to have is less genetic in that it can be bred out, or bred around, and more to do with the genetics of being small. This is why so many toy breeds share these same issues. Since the standards will remain under 7 lbs, unfortunately, I don't think we'll see the end to these issues within the breed.

Gracielove, it's a shame you stopped breeding those cats. This is what I mean about fads ruining breeds and the old guard NEEDING to stand up for their animals. How did breeding peke faced persians and Himies "improve" the breed?
It DIDN'T. These cats have a greater problem with upper respiratory infections, they get eye infections with greater frequency, more allergies it seems. They have great tooth and mouth issues, including mouth cancers, and because their mouths are now crowded... These show breeders, these guardians of their breed have made their breed into a monstrosity. And while doing so, they chased you, and likely others like you out.
Then again, had you kept your cats, and continued to breed them, likely they would say of you. Oh she's just a back yard breeder. She doesn't show her cats. Since she doesn't show her cats, and her cats aren't being bred to standard, OBVIOUSLY she's just in it for the money.

So.. I guess I don't blame you for getting out of cats. Having to deal with something like that on a daily basis, especially from people who were once friends and colleagues can be too much to handle.
But this is why I don't buy into the "improve the breed" propaganda. I have seen too many breeds ruined by show breeders. The GSD, the Neo, the Shar-pei, the last two new breeds.. I WATCHED the Neo change into the breed it is today over the years. The same for the Shar-Pei. Does anyone remember what the chow chow used to look like?
Has anyone seen the movie Man's Best Friend with the Tibetian Mastiff... Look at what 20 years has done to that breed.

I agree with what you say about "improving the breed." Breeding should be about maintaining a strong healthy line that continues to look and act like the original standard. Changing the look of an animal to suit fashion and fad has nothing to do with "improving" a breed. I think showing in general has become way too competitive in that way. People want their dogs to be noticed above the other lines so they do things to make them stand out. Judges should not be caving to this kind of thing. However, to be honest much of showing has to do with ego and name recognition and it's not about what is best for the breed.
I just could not be a part of the destruction of the Himalayan and Persian breed and there is no chance of winning when everyone is cheering on the extreme look. To me the big wide set eyes and smaller nose was beautiful but when they wanted to totally flatten the face and have basically a button for a nose that was going too far. It is not natural and they have to do very close line breeding to get that look consistently. Of course that also results in genetic weakening. But there were other factors involved as well. It was getting harder and harder to find the kind of home I wanted to place my kittens in. Just because people have the money to shell out for an expensive kitten does not necessarily mean they are people who will take the time to do the grooming and additional care a cat like that needs. I also didn't want my breeder or show kittens living in a cattery. Many breeders cage their cats full time. I wouldn't sell to people who did not own a house. So many times apartment dwellers end up moving to a place that does not allow pets and have to re home their animals. There are a lot of ethical issues about breeding that were making me feel uncomfortable so I decided it was time to stop. It was something that I really loved doing but being responsible for the quality of their little lives was what was the deciding factor.