[PyrNet-L] What is a breeder?

[BirdBugg <BirdBugg@aol.com>]

This was just published on another list I am on that is having a similiar
discussion.  I thought that it might give everyone something to think about
and be pertinent to the converstions we have been having.  I am forwarding it
with permission.

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What Makes A Professional Breeder?

 1. A professional breeder is one who has made a commitment to the well-being
 and IMPROVEMENT of one, or possibly two breeds.
 
 2. A professional breeder has studied and researched his breed and knows,
 intimately, its history and Standard, its strong points and drawbacks.
 
 3. A professional breeder has spent time, effort and money researching and
 proving the qualities and health of potential breeding stock.  Those that do
 not "prove out" are NOT bred.  He/She plans a litter only with the goal of
 puppies better than the parents, not for profit or vanity.
 
 4. A professional  breeder considers his dogs health and well-being far more
 important than their ability to reproduce.
 
 5. A professional has both the time and mental fortitude to BE THERE for
their
 bitches and puppies.  She evaluates her litters and makes every effort to
 match puppy to buyer in temperment, attitude and energy level as well as
 physical qualities.
 
 6. A professional is first and foremost selling to responsible, loving homes.
 While some exceptional pups may be saved for special show homes, the breeder
 does not force entangling contracts or arrangements for "puppies back" on
 people who are only interested in a pet.
 
 7. A professional keeps in periodic contact with the owners of puppies he has
 sold, not only to see the development of his breeding program but also
because
 he cares about their well-being.
 
 8. A professional does NOT have so many dogs that she has no time for
 individual attention, play and grooming or that she has to skimp on food
 quality, space, preventive medicine, and health care.
 
 9. A professional assumes responsibilty for the life he creates by carefully
 screening buyers, helping find new homes, making a comfortable life for his
 retirees, and yes, being able to make the decision to euthanize a puppy born
 with a mental or physical problem which has no chance for a quality life.
 
 10. A professional builds a good reputation slowly based on dedication and
 consistant quality, not on volume, advertising, or from a casual or self-
 glorifyng attitude.
 
 11. A professional goes further and assumes some responsibility for the
 problems of her breed as a whole. She belongs to an organization for the
 breed, she continues to read about new developments and works to reduce the
 numbers of her breed that are carelssly bred, ill-cared for and/or discarded.
 
 12. A professional can look at a bigger picture than dog show wins or puppy
 sales and contributes in some way to the betterment of dogs as a whole.
 
 
 Another note was:
 AKC registration is NOT an indication of quality.  Most dogs, even purebred,
 should not be bred.  Many dogs, though wonderful pets, have defects of
 structure, personality or health that should not be perpetuated.  Breeding
 animals should be proven free of these defects BEFORE starting on a
 reproductive career.  Breedinf should only be done with the goal of
 IMPROVEMENT, an honest attempt to create puppies better that their parents.
 IGNORANCE IS NO EXCUSE----ONCE YOU HAVE CREATED A LIFE, YOU CANNOT TAKE IT
 BACK, EVEN IF BLIND, DEAF, CRIPPLED OR A CANINE PSYCHOPATH!
 
 If you are doing it for the children's "education" or for having a puppy out
 of your wonderful "FIDO" or "FiFi", remember the whelping may be at 3 a.m. or
 at the vet's office on the sugery table.  Even if the kiddies are present,
 they may get the chance to see the birth of a "monster" or a mummified fetus,
 or watch the bitch bite you as you attempt to deliver a pup that is half out
 and too large.  Some bitches are not natural mothers and ignore or savage
 their whelps.  Bitches can have severe delivery problems or even die in
whelp.
 Pups can be born dead or with gross deformities that require euthansia.  Of
 course there can be joy, but if you can't deal with the possibilty of
tragedy,
 don't start.
 
 IT'S MIDNIGHT, DO YOU KNOW WHERE YOUR PUPPIES ARE?  There are FIVE MILLION
 unwanted dogs put to death in pounds in this country each year, with millions
 more dying, homeless and unwanted through starvation, disease, automobiles,
 abuse, etc.  Nearly a quarter of the victims of this unspeakable tragedy are
 purebred dogs "with papers".
 Will you carefully screen buyers? Or will you just take the money and not
 worry about if the pup is chained in a junkyard all of its life or runs in
the
 street and is killed?  Will you turn down a sale to a potential buyer?  Or
 will you say "yes" and not think about the puppy you held and loved now
having
 a litter of mongrels every time she comes in season?  Can you live with the
 thought that a baby you brought into the world will be destroyed at the
pound?
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Sandy

Sandra Ringener
birdbugg@aol.com
http://members.aol.com/birdbugg/index.htm