Breeding For The Love Of The Breed.

In my new job, I talk with many, many dog people. I have only met 2 people, in the 3 weeks that Just Dogs! Gourmet has been open, that were not true dog people. Today, I got to talking to a family that raises rough coated Collies. I was skeptical at first, since that is my nature. I figured they were just backyard breeders that did it for the money.

As we talked more, I found out I was wrong in my assumption. The lady truly loved her dogs. She has 5 Collies that she is totally devoted to. They have been breeding for 2 yrs. and have only had 2 litters with one of their females, whom is now 8. They are getting her spayed soon. The husband began talking with me and said that they don't need the money, they just love the breed. They don't sell to pet stores or on the Internet or through the paper. They do word of mouth.

I thought that was fabulous. I told them how I felt about people that just breed to make money and don't care about the dogs or where the puppies went. They agreed whole-heartily. It was really refreshing to talk with people that breed for the love of the breed. They live in Hurricane, WV.

Designer Dogs - The Worst Of Both Breeds.

The mixing of purebred dogs, in my opinion, as a groomer, is a cocktail of the worst of both breeds. By this, I mean that every "designer" dog I have groomed has had major skin problems or health problems. Being a purist, I do not believe in mixing breeds. There might be some breeders of these dogs that have researched and are breeding the best of both into their "designer" dogs, but I have not seen that in the Tri-State area. All I have seen are the worst. If you are thinking of purchasing one of these mixes, please do the research about each of the breeds that have been mixed. Go online, talk to a vet, but do the research. Backyard breeders are so common everywhere, but they are very prevalent in the Tri-State, and they are doing nothing but breeding litters that most likely will have hip, elbow, eye, heart and other health issues as they do not have their breeding stock certified that they are healthy to breed and will not transfer any genetic defects to the litters. Thus, you have litters of puppies that by the age of 1 or 2 will have to be put down due to major health issues. Or you have shelters filling up with them because they are not what the person expected.

Irresponsible Breeding is Abuse.

Did you know that in some states, irresponsible breeding is against the law? By this, I mean that if one person has a male and one person has a female of the same breed, and they just put the dogs together without doing the proper DNA testing and vet checks, with the proper hips/eyes/elbows, etc., it is illegal. In 2003, A.K.C. started the Frequently Used Sire Program. If a breeder has more than 3 litters in a calendar year, the sire must be DNA tested before the 4th breeding or if the breeder has 6 litters in a lifetime,(ex: 3 litters in 2006 and 3 litters in 2007) the sire must be DNA tested before the 7th litter. I also understand that there are quite a few new registry's that have popped up in recent years. One that seems to be prevalent around the Tri-State is the CKC or The Continental Kennel Club. They just are not as stringent on their rules. Not saying that they are not good, just not as stringent on the rules as A.K.C. I am just more comfortable with A.K.C. With the CKC, you don't have to do the DNA like with A.K.C. Even though I don't breed, I have a digital xray of my Yellow Lab's hips and spine. I am a purist. I do not believe in mixing breeds to get a "designer" dog. I have been working dogs for over 20 yrs. I have seen a lot of these mixed breeds or "designer" dogs, and have seen the health issues that come with mixing. Purchasing a puppy from a pet store is extremely risky. Most purchase their puppies from puppy mills. And, if looking for a puppy, make sure that you see the parents. Seeing the parents will give you an idea of what you are buying, i.e. temperament, looks, and any faults, such as cherry eye, or conjunctivitis, which is hereditary, weak hips or elbows, which also are hereditary. Buying from a pet store does not allow you to view the parents. Not having all the information on your puppy is like, well, like when I go to the doctor and, being adopted, as I am, don't have any idea what my medical history is. Remember, knowledge will help you purchase that puppy that will fit right into your home, hence making you and the puppy both happy.

This information was gathered by me throughout my years working with dogs.