Monday, January 22, 2007

need help


I work with two animal welfare groups here in Middle Tennessee.  Labs are very

popular in this area as can be attested to by the fact that so many of the dogs that

end up in our local shelter are black, chocolate, or yellow.  Some are mixed breed,

others are probably purebred.

 

I'm searching for a video that describes a popular breed and what a buyer should

look for before purchasing. So I've selected Labs because they are so popular and

because Backyard Breeders (BYBs) are breeding sub-standard examples and ruining

the breed.

 

I'm looking for a video that can educate buyers (and breeders) on what is the standard

of a breed both physical and temperment.  People here think a dog with "papers" is a

good dog.  I'd like them to understand what those "papers" actually mean.  I realize that

breeding for conformation in some breeds like Labs is somewhat different than breeding

for field work (it can be the same but often is not).  But pedigrees list the field or conformation

classes a dog's ancestors have gained titles in.  People here don't know about titles or what

they mean.

 

I think that if buyers understood what responsible breeders do to perpetuate and ensure

the health of a breed that they would be less inclined to buy a breed dog from the guy down

the street.  And if the guy down the street realized that he would have to invest more money

into his breeding program in order to attract buyers, maybe he would quit breeding.  Most

BYBs are looking to make a quick buck on some poor schmuck who doesn't have a clue

that there even is such a thing as a breed standard or genetic health problems. So they don't

provide pre-natal care for the dam, shots or worming of the pups, veterinary health checks

on both parents before mating, etc., etc., etc.  They just put 2 "purebred" dogs together, hope

for a large litter, and plan how to spend their proceeds.

 

Can you help me find such a video that I can present to local civic groups (that are largely

composed of adult males).  I'd love to stop the euthanizing of young healthy animals because

some idiot thought he could make more money breeding dogs than raising cattle.

 

Thanks,

 

Sharon

jdunkin@vallnet.com