[PyrNet-L] Breeding/rescue debate

[Jack & Charlotte Perry <pyreau@erols.com>]

Lara, Darell, Kelly and all.
    Some really thought provoking discussion on resuce and breeding.  I
do think that Lara has the right idea about educaiton, but the rescue
situation has really gotten out of hand in our area.  I think our club
has had 10 rescue dogs in the past 2 months.  We have fostered 4 of
those dogs. It is a very frustrating thing when you spend hours talking
to prospective owners, rearrange your weekends so they can visit the
dogs and then they don't turn up.  This has happened over and over and
over again. After reading some of the messages, I realized that I have
put my own dogs second because of the rescue dogs.  I have been so busy
looking for homes for these rescue dogs that I have not mentioned to any
of the nice people who would make wonderful owners that we actually have
a very handsome, healthy young male with a wonderful temperament and
championship pedigree that we have decided does not fit into our
breeding program and would live a happier life as a beloved pet.  I
would love to find a good home for him, but I can keep him and there are
all those rescue dogs needing homes. It is a real problem.  We have not
had a litter of pups for two years and one reason is that there are so
many people breeding "livestock
guarding Pyrs" in our area.  The scary thing is that many of those dogs 
have major health and temperament problems.  These owners simply think
of them as a "cash crop".  Here we are, having spent years and years
studying pedigrees and trying to figure out which dogs produce the best
in looks,  disposition as well as health and longevity., etc. feeling 
as though we should not breed because of all these other dogs that  need
homes.  So, I do understand both points of view ....the need to help the
homeless dogs but also the need to pass on some of the outstanding
features of quality Pyrs. I wish there was an easy answer. Still there
is something to seeing a really sweet homeless dog go to a wonderful new
family.(thanks Kim :) )
Thanks for letting me vent some steam.
Charlotte

Lara & Jimmy Spears wrote:

> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Ame McNair <ame63@hotmail.com>
> To: <pyrnet-l@pyrnet.org>
> Sent: Monday, March 13, 2000 2:12 PM
> Subject: Re: [PyrNet-L] Breeding/rescue debate
>
> >
> >
> > darrell goolsbee <dgg@star-telegram.com wrote:
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > >I was speaking in terms of conformation,
>
> Darryl you have made a good point.   I have been thinking about this but not
> from this angle:-)   I personally have been striving to create ways to
> inform club members and others in the area about the breed standard.  Not to
> necessarily tell them what is 'wrong' with their dogs.  But to assist them
> when they become afflicted with the potato chip factor!   Educated buyers
> often end up happy buyers.   Educate them on health issues, structural
> issues, etc.  Knowing the right questions to ask in this area will hopefully
> save some of the heartbreak that I often hear from people that have
> purchased from a back yard breeder or farm breeder.   On the top of the
> heartbreak list is hip displasia and bad or agressive tempermants.    On the
> flip side if they decide to go with a rescue dog they will be better
> prepared with knowledge about the breed - they will at the least know what
> to expect.    I personally try to encourage people that are looking for a
> companion to adopt a rescue dog. This gives these dogs a home and takes one
> more puppy buyer away from the BYB.
>
> Ame mentioned there was not the phenomenom in GA.  Well, I don't know about
> the state as a whole, but in the Atlanta area,  unfortunately there is:(  We
> have quite a few lama farms, etc. that breed for livestock guardian dogs.
> These breedings are consider commodoties from what I understand after
> speaking with a few of them.  Their top goal is not the breed's interest -
> but if they can guard and if they can make them money.   I understand one of
> the farm breeders has decided not to breed anymore after we provided her
> with materials to review on what to consider when breeding a Pyr.   Besides
> the farms we also have a number of bigger back yard breeders in the Atlanta
> area.  In addition to the smaller back yard breeders.    I have seen
> horrible coat types, bad tempermants, bad conformation, etc. etc. from these
> byb.     The only true weapon is to educate the buyers, potential buyers,
> and breeders.  Basically anybody that will listen!
>
> My 2 cents...........:-)
>
> Lara Spears
>
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