This is a wonderful thread. I agree with the co-ownership contract.
(Let's see if I can word this right...) To me showing is only a step in breeding, showing is time consuming, hard work and dedication to a breed.
I adore yorkies, love them like crazy. I adore my two rascals, they are my other kids (I consider them my four legged kids and then I have two legged kids). I am proud of their breed, their intelligence, their fiery personalties. Over the years I have been learning more and more and I know they are "pet" in every sense of the word. Now grooming I see the saddest shapes of yorkies, and when I hear, "We wnat to breed Tucker and Fifi cause they are so CUTE" I wannt throw up, these yorkies are so far from the breed stadard but it falls on death ears...and then more ugly, misformed, yorkies come into the world, with bad knees, allergies, problems galore...which the owners are puzzled cause the breeder said that her dogs were healthy...or the people that are shocked when the $2000 yorkie puppy they got for their purse turns out to be a 12 lbs monster...this all irks me to no end.
I adore the lady I got my yorkies from but there is no way I will get another one from her. I now want a yorkie that does credit for the breed. In my province ther are not very many yorkies that are up to standard. I wish to bring that, show people what a yorkie is supposed to be like. I am learning what I want in a yorkie.
Now I have the fun problme of being isloated from great breedersan mentors, the web is a beautiful thing, as is the phone. I had the privedge to speak with some great breeders in Canada. And she gave me the advice that you can learn long distance, you can learn over the web, but it will take more time. You have to ask every question, understand what people are tlaking about, develop relationships with people and learn from them.
So this is what I am doing. And I know it will take YEARS before I feel I am ready to do a show puppy justice.
I have made some great contacts, had some great talks with wonderful people. I have a good friend who has shown for years, done very well, works as a professional handler, gone to shows with me, given me tips, and she is now studying to become a judge. I have learned so much from her.
Her advice? "If you want it bad enough, you can wait and use that time to learn and it will happen, but not now." Bingo!
I have friends who cannot understand why I just don't buy a yorkie to show ( for fun but they can only see the pristege of owning a 'show' dog who cares if they actually win in their mind) and then breed it...argh!! It is hard to explain it does not work that way, I try to educate one by one, some people I have had success.
Some breeders have been great, I have always been upfront that I am not looking for a puppy right now, I am not ready, but ask my questions. Some have blown me off, many were very nice and a few said to ask away, and when I was ready we will talk.
Sorry for the ramble...
