What does betterment of the breed mean to you?

[rnjessica]

Why be so picky about the breed? Well, I'll tell you that before we bought our puppy we researched the multiple breeds to find one that would fit out family. Then we researched what defines the standard and that helped so much in helping us to find our perfect match. Not so much in that we would end up with the epitome of perfection, but in that we were equipped to know what to look out for. We did not look for a champion quality dog, but wanted a healthy, socialized pup with good lines, a nice biteline, but mostly just wanted a baby to love. We looked at several local breeders and found "home" breeders who really had too many dogs and no concern for them as pets. We found a few that offered multiple qualities (meaning that they had bred to many substandard dogs and anything was possible). Eventually we came across the right breeder who had a real love for the breed, had show champions, charged more for her pups, but also wanted to know about us. She was very cautious about who we were, the type of family we had, where our baby would be housed, how much time we had for her, and our intentions for her future. I really think that this is how we improve the breed, not by mass breedings and discount dogs.

[DreamsComeTrue]

Originally Posted by MyFairLacy

Breeding for the Betterment of the Breed to me:

Breeding excellent examples of the breed. Each breed has a standard set by a parent club (many people knowledgeable of the breed). This standard defines the unique qualities that makes each breed its own individual breed - what sets them apart from all other breeds. It defines physical structure, appearance, movement, attitude, etc. In order for a breed to continue, dogs must be bred to this standard. Otherwise, all you get are a bunch of "purebred" dogs that don't resemble the breed they are supposed to be and all breeds would start to look alike. A breed cannot continue to be what it is without following the standard. To breed for the betterment of the breed, a breeder must be breeding excellent examples of the breed - ones that clearly meet the standard.

It also means breeding HEALTHY dogs and striving to only produce HEALTHY puppies. If a breeder truly has the best interest of the dogs in mind, they health screen to the best of their ability and eliminate any problematic dogs from their lines. If a health problem arises, the breeder researches the problem and does what they can to fix it and keep it from happening again. Breeding unhealthy dogs only causes suffering for the dog and heartache for the owner. Striving to breed healthy dogs is a MUST in order to better the breed.

I think it also means loving the dogs and having a strong love and passion for the breed in general. Someone can't go into breeding half-heartedly...they must do it with a purpose and a goal in mind. They must always have the best interest of the dogs at heart - otherwise what is the point?

It's more than breeding pretty dogs over and over again. It's about preserving this breed that we love so much and continueing to have the Yorkshire Terrier as it has always been known. It's about breeding healthy dogs that can lead long, healthy, happy lives. It's about making sure they go to wonderful homes where they are loved and cherished. It's for the love of the dogs...that's what bettering the breed is