Justifying one’s own motives is one thing; defending an entire group of people is another. Trucorgi, I would assume that you got into breeding because you love the animals with which you work and are committed to getting as close to the goal of Breed Standard as possible. Please recognize however that, even if the majority of breeders feel that way and behave accordingly, there are still irresponsible breeders out there, and yes, they are at fault for the animals they fail to commit to and take care of — they are not solely responsible for the animal population problem, but they do significantly contribute to it and, perhaps unfairly, they do make a blight on the breeding community.

Sandi
Massachusetts

That is not a true statement. Dysplasia has a genetic component, sure, but linebreeding or inbreeding does not *cause* it. If you breed related dogs who both have good hips you have a significantly better chance at producing offspring with good hips than you would with scatterbred dogs with less than good hips. There are also environmental factors which can contribute to dysplasia.

I fully agree that there is a huge pet overpopulation problem in the US. I also agree that most of the dogs dumped in shelters are adults (or at least older puppies). But those dogs were ALL puppies once, they were all sold or given away somewhere along the line. They didn’t just materialize out of thin air. And a whole bunch of them, at least around here, are purebred or “designer” dogs, which says to me that a whole lot of them were intentionally bred.

A responsible breeder wouldn’t allow their dogs to be dumped in the shelters, so they are not contributing to that problem at all. I fully support responsible breeders- those who screen their breeding stock, who breed only proven dogs with correct temperament, who truly care about the breed and what they’re doing and aren’t just producing pups for bucks, or because it would be a good experience for the kids, or because awww my bitch is so cute and wonderful and sweet that I must make more!

(and no, I am not a breeder. I have three shelter dogs, all speutered, and all apparently purebred.)

I understand altering DNA to improve the health of the breed. A Whippet is a fast breed already. How much faster so they really need to run?

Example: ViVi (the Whippet lost at Kennedy Airport in New York). She took off and they could not catch her.

Again I apologize is I came across as though I were accusing you.

ITCHMO ADMIN: Feeling Nostalgic, please don’t worry, we were not offended. We just wanted to clarify that we didn’t alter the photo. No apologies necessary at all.

My comment was per that, I tried using brackets to quote it the first time, and it won’t show.

People can love and value and all animals and specific breeds at the same time, whether they are terriers or salukis, persians or burmese.

There are plenty of people who have both mutts and breeds, people who are fans of specific breeds who support animal rescue and shelters.

I think of all the animals my brother and his wife have taken in over the years–most what would be called mutts–I do not consider my sister-in-law an animal killer because she has purchased salukis.