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
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
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.
