by mnp13 » February 1st, 2006, 1:35 pm
I don't like it, but I understand it. And because I don't like it, I don't breed.
Say you have this awesome stud named Max. He is a great working dog, great looking dog, great everything dog. He is titled out the wazoo, his pups are in high demand.
Say you find this awesome bitch named Ginger. She is a great working dog, great looking dog, great everything dog. She is titled out the wazoo, her pups are in high demand.
You breed them. You get 12 puppies. 6 are exactly what you want, 3 are marginal, 3 just don't cut it. (Remember, we are talking about the whole package here - looks, ability and temperament.)
Now, what to do with the 6 that aren't quite it. Well, there are plenty of people who want dogs from breeders as pets, so that they know the parents etc etc etc. So you speuter the 6 that are not ideal representations of the parents and then place them. The new owners are thrilled. The proudly show their new dogs off online and at events - and identify the parents as Max and Ginger.
So, I'm in the market for a dog. I hear about Max and Ginger. I am willing to pay TOP dollar for a dog that 'has it all'. At an event I run across someone with a sweet dog with marginal conformation, ok temperament, ok drive. I find out it is a Max/Ginger puppy. I'm not impressed. I find a puppy elsewhere.
THAT is what breeders are avoiding by not placing pet quality puppies. They don't want the less-than-perfict ones being identified with thier dog or kennel.
Puppies produced and out in the world are a breeder's resume. Would you pass out your resume with bad formatting and spelling errors? No. Why? Because it makes you look bad. Would you go to an interview in old jeans and a t-shirt? No. Why? because even if you are capable, smart and qualified, you are not representing yourself as such.
I do photography work on the side. At an event I take about 100 pictures an hour. From that, I select 25 or 30 that I really like and don't show anyone the other 70. Why? Because even though everyone takes bad pictures sometimes, you don't show people those bad pictures. NO, pictures are not living animals, but the example still holds true.
I bought Ruby from a breeder. I tell everyone who asks exactly who I got her from. Why? Because her temperament is not good, her conformation stinks and her drives are about non-existant. He produces crap and I'm happy to let people know that. I adore my dog, but she is FAR from what she should be. She is a great dog, but should have never been produced in the first place.
Please note - this is all coming from someone who can't kill a spider and gets all mushy and girly when she sees a dead bird/mouse/squrril.
Michelle
Inside me is a thin woman trying to get out. I usually shut the bitch up with a martini.