Seizing the Moment to Open a Door

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By Gay Dunlap

I stood open and welcoming. She continued, “That’s what I’ve heard.” We were standing at the checkout counter of a small boutique and I was paying for my purchases. The subject was broached basically because I was explaining to the gal behind the counter why I needed a specific type of garment… those to which most of us ladies in the fancy refer as “dog-show clothes.” When one lives in the desert Southwest, the sort of clothing required for our sport is not always easily found. The person questioning me was another customer who saw fit to join in the conversation. It was a much-appreciated opportunity for me, affording an opening to change a specific mindset that is not all that unusual in today’s climate. My response was thoughtful… I did not climb up on my high horse, nor did I become indignant or self-righteous. I shared stories of some of our recent winners, the degree to which they are loved and how carefully their handlers tend to their needs. I spoke of Ernesto Lara’s overwhelming grief when he had to say goodbye to Banana Joe, who headed home following his BIS win at Westminster, and of the great Kerry Blue Terrrier, Mick, living out his life as a couch potato in Bill and Taffe McFadden’s home. How Bill flew from northern California to St. Louis with Mick to visit renowned Kerry Blue breeder, Bea Schlesinger, shortly before her death so that she could meet this magnificent dog in person. I explained that the use of crates has more to do with protection and nothing to do with imprisonment. I added that we prefer the word “crate” to “cage” since the latter is rather negatively associated with caged wild animals in zoos. I even delved briefly into our resolute belief that all dogs should be crate-raised and -trained and explained why we feel so strongly about this.

The degree of misunderstanding among everyday folk about our dog show world is something we cannot afford to ignore. And further, we have an obligation not only to ourselves but also to each other, and to the AKC, to set things straight. Creating an atmosphere, an opening, for dialog is quite easy actually. It goes without saying that we might risk running up against someone whose mindset is in staunch opposition to ours but it is worth the risk. Generally speaking there is a level of mystique connected with what we do, a fascination in the minds of most and, as a result, a curiosity that often can open the door for conversation, if we allow it. Such was the case in the instance cited above. I happened to mention that I was a dog show judge. But I could just as easily have said that I bred and showed dogs. Few in today’s world can say they have never seen a dog show on television. And how many times have we been asked what we thought of the culturally iconic movie, Best In Show. For most there is an assumption that “dog show people” find the film offensive and are insulted by it. I love the opportunity to assure folks that nothing could be further from the truth and that as a group we also find the film quite hilarious.

My brindle Mini Bull Terrier pup often creates a bit of a stir during our morning walks in the green belt, certainly more than the mixed-breed dogs one meets along the way. Here again, the interest “Roxy” engenders provides an opportunity to extol the virtues of owning a purebred. “Not that there is anything inherently wrong with owning a “Heinz 57,” I point out, “but you have absolutely no idea what your youngster will look like when it grows up… no idea if it will shed, smell, be predisposed to howling, have little stubby legs or grow taller than anticipated, be hyperactive or resemble a slug. Predictability of a pup’s traits is the gift of owning a purebred, especially one purchased from a respected hobby breeder,” I tell them. Often people, especially the younger generation, don’t think about this and I love the opportunity to point it out. Few along our route have any idea what “Roxy” is and generally ask. One fellow said she looked like an anteater; we took it with magnanimity! The good news was that a door opened for dialog about purebred dogs and I took advantage of it.

As most of us are painfully aware, we live in an era wherein hobby breeders of purebred dogs are often tarred with the same brush used on puppy mills and pet shops and where the act of adopting dogs from animal shelters has become de rigueur. In my own community, mixed-breed dogs are becoming more the norm. As a matter of fact, on the first Tuesday of each month here in this gated community, our “Pet Club” hosts an adoption program, setting up shop on the breezeway between the Fitness Club and the Clubhouse wherein adoptable pets from local rescue organizations are made available. Not intended as a judgment of such practice, I am simply pointing out the degree to which pet adoption is being supported. It’s important to note that not all “adoptees” are of mixed parentage… some appear to be purebred and the ubiquitous purebred Greyhounds, usually retired from the racetracks, are habitually well-represented at this sort of affair. It is interesting to note the verbiage used; i.e., that we adopt a rescue dog (even if you are charged a fee, sometimes as much as $1000) but we buy a purebred. Admittedly a warm fuzzy feeling often follows the word “adopt;” not so much with “buy.” It’s important to note that there is no snubbing of noses at mixed breeds here; it is not unusual for our fellow purebred dog fanciers to add a mutt or two to their house brigade. As a group we are truly dog lovers… all sizes and shapes, purebred and otherwise.

For the first time in its history, Crufts this year included the finale of the mixed breed competition known in Great Britain as “Scruffts.” The winners of the four Scruffts categories, Child’s Best Friend, Golden Oldie, Prettiest Crossbreed Bitch and Most Handsome Crossbreed Dog duked it out for the ultimate title of Scruffts Family Crossbreed of the Year. It appears that mixed breeds are quickly rising to prominence across the pond, not just as performance dogs but in the same sort of subjective competition as we endure in the breed ring only with the potential to be far more so! Though perhaps the very nature of the competition precludes petty jealously and the my-dog-is-more-correct-than-your-dog mentality.

To the degree that the dedication to mixed breed dogs does not trump public approval of owning or wanting a purebred dog, we can accept it. The degree to which AKC might follow TKC’s lead as it appears headed toward the destruction of many of our cherished breeds is striking a measure of fear in our hearts. The Kennel Club (Great Britain) may well deny the idea that they are falling prey to RSPCA’s dictates but, as the saying goes… if it walks like a duck and talks like a duck… As an example, the very heart and soul of what master breeders have always felt to be sound breeding practice, that of tight line-breeding, is not only looked upon with disdain, but has been ruled unacceptable by TKC. Dogs that are the result of such breedings are no longer considered registerable. Even more indicative of RSPCA’s hand in the pot is the fact that sire and dam are referred to as “mother” and “father,” putting it on a par, it would seem, with human incest. When I judged in Sweden several years ago, I was handed a booklet which included instructions on how to proceed to judge breeds appearing on their BSL (Breed Specific List). The list was divided into three sub-groups as follows, Breeds requiring URGENT ATTENTION (7 of them), Breeds requiring INCREASED ATTENTION (12 of them), and Breeds requiring ATTENTION (28 of them). The assumption here is that breeders either are not able or are unwilling to police themselves in matters concerning the health and temperament of their dogs. As dedicated hobby breeders we must be committed to proving them wrong.

At a recent board meeting, AKC spoke of a discussion related to health issues of dogs in publications and the idea that broadly listing information about potential health issues within a breed might fuel the misconception that purebred dogs have more health issues than mixed breeds. When discussing such, we must remember to give credit where credit is due adding that all dogs are susceptible to a wide range of medical concerns and that it is thanks to AKC’s purebred dog community that the lives of all dogs have been improved through the canine health research it has funded.

We have a duty to give testimony to all who will lend an ear that, contrary to propaganda spawned by AR groups, mixed breed dogs are not healthier than ours, they do not necessarily live longer and statements of this nature are unadulterated balderdash. We must do our homework and provide solid facts refuting such misinformation. And we must take advantage of every opportunity that arises to extol the outstanding qualities of our purebred dogs and why we have chosen to breed and own them.

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Posted by ralbee on Apr 9 2013. Filed under Current Articles, Featured. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.