[gemy]

Great article. Apprenticeship is a wonderful idea, particularly apprenticeship to the breed in question, especially for young folks. I've not thought about that, but as a breeder, I'd be willing to work with a 15 year old for 3 or more summers, so that they get to know what training is necessary and "why", how a rightly configured dog moves in our breed. They can get a really good felt sense just how powerfull an 18mth old pup is and how more powerfull a fully grown 130-140 lb male is. Tactically. How to groom these beasties, and how to have wonderful fun with your dog.

Education is key, and needs to be multi-faceted. Geared to different audiences.

Also how about we as responsible breeders do show and tell at high schools?

Meet the breed nights at Pet Expos and the like.

And all our breeds could do with a great marketing concept and push for "why" a finely bred dog!

And she is right $2000 or more is a whole lot of money to spend on a dog. And what irks me, is you get folks who pay this, and you can see they have a poorly bred specimen of the breed. Sheer folly for the public to put up with less than a well constructed and healthy example of the breed.

You know I posted an article here about how to assess a pup. More folks should read this, and not go in blind to the breeder. Yes even if you have done your pre visit scrutiny of the breeder; most folks come in, and stardust settles in their eyes as they look at the pups.

It is not just the money investment, it is hat you are selecting a family member for a good 10 years or more. So very important.

And for the breeders, honesty, clear as unbiased scruntiny of your litter as you can do, better yet have another breeder critique your litter. If you have a pup with poor configuration, admit it. Be honest with your buyers as to the less than stellar aspects of your pups for sale.

Thanks for posting this article; I so enjoyed reading it