Comments on: Bettering The Breed http://topotheday.wordpress.com/2007/12/09/bettering-the-breed/ musings on dogs, dog people, and suchlike things... Wed, 01 Apr 2009 23:58:44 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Laura http://topotheday.wordpress.com/2007/12/09/bettering-the-breed/#comment-105 Laura Mon, 24 Nov 2008 03:46:28 +0000 http://topotheday.wordpress.com/2007/12/09/bettering-the-breed/#comment-105 I come back to this article many times to help me stick to my convictions regarding my breed. Funny, I have always been one who has said "maintain" the breed, even as a newbie some 30 years ago. I felt it arrogant to think that I alone could "improve" upon the wonderful dogs that were entrusted to me by breeders so much more accomplished than I. Thank you for the discussion. I come back to this article many times to help me stick to my convictions regarding my breed. Funny, I have always been one who has said “maintain” the breed, even as a newbie some 30 years ago. I felt it arrogant to think that I alone could “improve” upon the wonderful dogs that were entrusted to me by breeders so much more accomplished than I.

Thank you for the discussion.

]]> By: Sue http://topotheday.wordpress.com/2007/12/09/bettering-the-breed/#comment-78 Sue Thu, 06 Mar 2008 17:15:16 +0000 http://topotheday.wordpress.com/2007/12/09/bettering-the-breed/#comment-78 Correction......... Typo on the 40's.......Should be 80's when the standard was changed Sorry. Correction………
Typo on the 40’s…….Should be 80’s when the standard was changed
Sorry.

]]> By: Karen http://topotheday.wordpress.com/2007/12/09/bettering-the-breed/#comment-77 Karen Thu, 06 Mar 2008 06:21:05 +0000 http://topotheday.wordpress.com/2007/12/09/bettering-the-breed/#comment-77 "It is upon the excellence of the general character of the individuals of the breed, rather than upon the length of the head or the breadth of the skull or similar details, that the breed will stand, and the successful support to the breed must be upon the basis of this greater vision, if the breeders of collies are to succeed in their purpose of bettering the breed." Edwin L. Pickhardt "The Collie In America" 1924 ============ That's my story and I'm sticking to it. Karen “It is upon the excellence of the general character of the individuals of the breed, rather than upon the length of the head or the breadth of the skull or similar details, that the breed will stand, and the successful support to the breed must be upon the basis of this greater vision, if the breeders of collies are to succeed in their purpose of bettering the breed.” Edwin L. Pickhardt “The Collie In America” 1924
============
That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
Karen

]]> By: Karen http://topotheday.wordpress.com/2007/12/09/bettering-the-breed/#comment-76 Karen Thu, 06 Mar 2008 05:04:59 +0000 http://topotheday.wordpress.com/2007/12/09/bettering-the-breed/#comment-76 may 2008 marks 14 yrs. in my breed. i agree completely with this article. We are strainbuilding and I get laughed at for our efforts. I don't care. I don't show my dogs because it isn't necessary... as long as I have the private positive evaluative opinions of folks in my breed who are like the person who wrote this article. Why should I consider spending all that money to show my dog when the ring is rife with accusations of impropriaty and instead I can put that money into my breeding program and health testing. may 2008 marks 14 yrs. in my breed. i agree completely with this article. We are strainbuilding and I get laughed at for our efforts. I don’t care. I don’t show my dogs because it isn’t necessary… as long as I have the private positive evaluative opinions of folks in my breed who are like the person who wrote this article. Why should I consider spending all that money to show my dog when the ring is rife with accusations of impropriaty and instead I can put that money into my breeding program and health testing.

]]> By: Sue http://topotheday.wordpress.com/2007/12/09/bettering-the-breed/#comment-75 Sue Wed, 05 Mar 2008 23:28:25 +0000 http://topotheday.wordpress.com/2007/12/09/bettering-the-breed/#comment-75 May I add these thoughts to yours?........Doesn't PRESERVING THE BREED AS IT WAS DEVELOPED also mean that ALL COLORS listed in the breed standard should be equally considered and accepted by breeders, handlers, and ESPECIALLY judges?.......Well, you tell that to English Setter breeders, campaigners, handlers and judges!!!! Breeders have been "getting rid of" lemons and livers for years because they DO NOT LIKE thier eye color......and for that reason, in the 40's, the breed standard was conveniently changed to read: Eyes-dark brown, the darker the better. They may as well have totally eliminated liver and lemon beltons entirely from the written standard because these two colors NEVER produce dark brown eyes! So, they have actually done the opposite of preserving the breed......they have MARKED FOR EXTINCTION two of the breed's standard colors.......What a shame!......Ask any of them and you will realize that they SHUN these dogs along with any breeder whose line produces one (heaven forbid!), and they look upon owners who have enough nerve to bring them into the show ring with disgust! Well, I am the proud owner of a lemon belton who is a great specimen of the breed with a wonderful temperment. I am showing him every chance I get even though this on top of the campaigning issue makes winning almost impossible. I am doing this because I strongly believe that what the breeders and judges have done over the years is WRONG! Who do they think they are? I have been a lover of the breed for forty years. My belief is that........A GOOD DOG IS A GOOD DOG!.......so, wish me luck...... I am not just fighting to win points.....I am fighting what will probably be a loosing battle to have these dogs accepted and thus saved from extinction. May I add these thoughts to yours?……..Doesn’t PRESERVING THE BREED AS IT WAS DEVELOPED also mean that ALL COLORS listed in the breed standard should be equally considered and accepted by breeders, handlers, and ESPECIALLY judges?…….Well, you tell that to English Setter breeders, campaigners, handlers and judges!!!! Breeders have been “getting rid of” lemons and livers for years because they DO NOT LIKE thier eye color……and for that reason, in the 40’s, the breed standard was conveniently changed to read: Eyes-dark brown, the darker the better. They may as well have totally eliminated liver and lemon beltons entirely from the written standard because these two colors NEVER produce dark brown eyes!
So, they have actually done the opposite of preserving the breed……they have MARKED FOR EXTINCTION two of the breed’s standard colors…….What a shame!……Ask any of them and you will realize that they SHUN these dogs along with any breeder whose line produces one (heaven forbid!), and they look upon owners who have enough nerve to bring them into the show ring with disgust!
Well, I am the proud owner of a lemon belton who is a great specimen of the breed with a wonderful temperment. I am showing him every chance I get even though this on top of the campaigning issue makes winning almost impossible. I am doing this because I strongly believe that what the breeders and judges have done over the years is WRONG! Who do they think they are?
I have been a lover of the breed for forty years. My belief is that……..A GOOD DOG IS A GOOD DOG!…….so, wish me luck…… I am not just fighting to win points…..I am fighting what will probably be a loosing battle to have these dogs accepted and thus saved from extinction.

]]> By: Cate http://topotheday.wordpress.com/2007/12/09/bettering-the-breed/#comment-74 Cate Thu, 21 Feb 2008 00:04:05 +0000 http://topotheday.wordpress.com/2007/12/09/bettering-the-breed/#comment-74 Hey - I thought this article was awsome! I am the newsletter editor for a small PB breed club, and I was wondering if I might have your permission to run this article...I think it has alot of value! Thanks so much and I'd love to hear from you! ~Cate Hey – I thought this article was awsome! I am the newsletter editor for a small PB breed club, and I was wondering if I might have your permission to run this article…I think it has alot of value!

Thanks so much and I’d love to hear from you!

~Cate

]]> By: Darcy Litzinger http://topotheday.wordpress.com/2007/12/09/bettering-the-breed/#comment-73 Darcy Litzinger Wed, 20 Feb 2008 05:32:04 +0000 http://topotheday.wordpress.com/2007/12/09/bettering-the-breed/#comment-73 I cannot tell you how true this article rings- especially for me and my breed! I found it to be the most brutally honest and educational piece that I have read in a long time. Thank you! I was also hoping I might get your permission to have it printed in my kennel club's newsletter. Would this be possible? I think there are MANY who could learn from this. I cannot tell you how true this article rings- especially for me and my breed! I found it to be the most brutally honest and educational piece that I have read in a long time. Thank you! I was also hoping I might get your permission to have it printed in my kennel club’s newsletter. Would this be possible?

I think there are MANY who could learn from this.

]]> By: Holly Ballester http://topotheday.wordpress.com/2007/12/09/bettering-the-breed/#comment-69 Holly Ballester Sun, 17 Feb 2008 15:48:34 +0000 http://topotheday.wordpress.com/2007/12/09/bettering-the-breed/#comment-69 This is a wonderful article. I would be very appreciative if someone could contact me regarding possible permission to print it in our club newsletter. I will provide all the details of our club and newsletter in a reply. Thank you. This is a wonderful article. I would be very appreciative if someone could contact me regarding possible permission to print it in our club newsletter. I will provide all the details of our club and newsletter in a reply.
Thank you.

]]> By: Sherri http://topotheday.wordpress.com/2007/12/09/bettering-the-breed/#comment-68 Sherri Thu, 31 Jan 2008 15:11:11 +0000 http://topotheday.wordpress.com/2007/12/09/bettering-the-breed/#comment-68 WOW - what a great thread! A good friend forwarded this to me and I'm very much in agreement with your comments. Especially the last paragraph that describes the plight of the dedicated breeder. :) The breeds will survive as there are breeders (handler and judges) dedicated to bettering the breed(s) and not just selling the greatest number of puppies. Producing physically sound dogs with solid temperments, that can do the job their breed was originally produced to do and be an outstanding family pet is what I personally strive to produce. I keep what I feel will provide the greatest contribution in the future and place the rest in good homes. It's not the number of champions that a breeder produces that makes one a "Great Breeder" - it's the integrity with which one plans and produces puppies and the commitment to the dogs that creates a breeder that will have a positive impact as a whole. thanks! WOW – what a great thread! A good friend forwarded this to me and I’m very much in agreement with your comments. Especially the last paragraph that describes the plight of the dedicated breeder. :) The breeds will survive as there are breeders (handler and judges) dedicated to bettering the breed(s) and not just selling the greatest number of puppies.

Producing physically sound dogs with solid temperments, that can do the job their breed was originally produced to do and be an outstanding family pet is what I personally strive to produce. I keep what I feel will provide the greatest contribution in the future and place the rest in good homes.

It’s not the number of champions that a breeder produces that makes one a “Great Breeder” – it’s the integrity with which one plans and produces puppies and the commitment to the dogs that creates a breeder that will have a positive impact as a whole.

thanks!

]]> By: Pat Martin http://topotheday.wordpress.com/2007/12/09/bettering-the-breed/#comment-67 Pat Martin Sat, 26 Jan 2008 22:42:22 +0000 http://topotheday.wordpress.com/2007/12/09/bettering-the-breed/#comment-67 Yes, I agree. I started showing my breed (Dalmatians) in 1973, after going to some shows to find exactly what I wanted, to start my lines. My goal was to have a sound Dal, in structure and temperment. I knew the physical 'type' that I preferred, and when I look out my window and watch them trot around the yard, I'd say that I have achieved that goal. When I look for a stud dog, I have a very hard time finding one that matches my requirements, whether it's structure, temperment, or health. Also, I will not breed to the "popular sire" unless he has "it". My litters are very few and far between. The top winners usually are pro handled, and, not ones that I want in my breeding program! Yes, I agree. I started showing my breed (Dalmatians) in 1973, after going to some shows to find exactly what I wanted, to start my lines. My goal was to have a sound Dal, in structure and temperment. I knew the physical ‘type’ that I preferred, and when I look out my window and watch them trot around the yard, I’d say that I have achieved that goal. When I look for a stud dog, I have a very hard time finding one that matches my requirements, whether it’s structure, temperment, or health. Also, I will not breed to the “popular sire” unless he has “it”. My litters are very few and far between. The top winners usually are pro handled, and, not ones that I want in my breeding program!

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