11/12/2023
**Buckle up this is a long one!**
A breeder I'm familiar with recently posted this. I'd like to point out a few errors with this statement. First, you do not HAVE to be a "Show breeder" to breed ethically. In fact I would say, and this part is just my opinion, you run a higher risk of genetics getting messed up because of continually line breeding, than if you were to research studs from other lines and breed specifically for genetics, health and temperaments.
If you are new to my page and are not sure what line breeding, it's more or less what it sounds like... inbreeding of dogs. Which, if you are careful and now what you are doing, isn't necessarily a bad thing.
Two, Show dogs are beautiful because they are the most exact version of that breed of dog. Not necessarily always the healthiest, but the most exact. The exactness is what makes them the most expensive. And in my experience the most expensive things are not necessarily always the very best things. And I'm not saying "No one should ever buy Show dogs because they're ALL unhealthy." On the contrary. I think if you want to spend thousands of dollars on a healthy, well bred Show dog, go for it. But you need to be well versed in the genetics, health and temperament of the breed you are looking at so that you can understand what it is exactly your paying for. No one just goes and pays hundreds of thousands of dollars for the most expensive car without researching a bit about it first....
Lastly, I want to make sure everyone understands that there are different types of breeders just like there are different types of car manufacturers. And not all breeders are great at their job. Some down right suck at and should never be allowed near another animal ever again. But comments like this, that claim that Show breeders are the best of the best and people should ONLY buy from them as breeders because of that it, is just not accurate (for all the previously stated reasons).
There are some really amazing professional and hobby breeders out there, that may be producing excellent lines with minimal inbreeding because their focus is different. Not worse, just different. And thank goodness for them! Because if I'm looking to add a PET to my family the temperament and health of that pet is going to be my highest priority. The average consumer probably doesn't know a whole lot about genetics and inbreeding in animals, and just wants a nice family pet. A pet maybe of a specific breed. And that's okay!
Some may argue, "well, that's what shelters and rescues are for!" Sure, people can go get a dog of all most any kind from a shelter or rescue and it may just be the best dang family pet they ever own. Or maybe that dog was there for a reason... maybe that dog has fear based aggression from being abused and abandoned. Maybe that dog came from a Show kennel, where it was so overly in**ed that it's wired so tight it snaps at the littlest thing. Maybe it there because it's runner and no matter how the owner tried to train and contain, it takes off at every opportunity. And no, not every shelter/rescue dog has these kinds of issues. But there's no denying that it is a bit like "a box of chocolate, you just never know what you're gonna get".
Ultimately my point is, is that if a person is going to go the breeder route when looking for an animal, it's important for people to find the breeder that is right for them. And maybe a show breeder is the right fit for them, or maybe it's a professional non-show breeder, or maybe even a well educated hobby breeder.
So I strongly encourage everyone looking to add four paws to your family, to do your research. Know the breed you want inside and out before you add them to your family. Ask any breeder you look into A LOT of questions. If they know their stuff, they'll have an answer or be able to point you to where to find the answer.
Much love from your friendly neighborhood hobby breeder!
