I have been incredibly fortunate to become an advocate for assistants through the opportunity to publicly write for The Canine Chronicle. One of the most frequent questions I am asked is, “How do you not get burnt out?” The truth is, that is a complicated question.
In many species, odd colors are welcomed to the point that sometimes entire breeds are created around them. But in dogs, we tend to be conservative, especially when a color is related to possible health problems.
The future of purebred dog breeding may be hanging by a thread. Whether it is your hobby or your life’s calling, its future teeters on the tough realities we confront, ‘running dogs’ every day. Our sport and passion clash with growing costs that threaten all but the wealthiest or luckiest among us. Can ethical, small-scale purebred breeding survive today’s economic pressures?
When breeders gather to discuss important matters about dogs, you will most likely hear their opinions on reasons for owning their breed, why they love them, and some of the problems they have noticed.
Feral, stray, street dog–regardless of the label, this gigantic segment of the canine population is woefully misunderstood. It is an understatement to say they have failed to achieve good press.
At a recent club meeting, I was asked, “What do you think about the problem of over-refined males, and its possible relationship to monorchism?”
Let me tell you a story about a true breeder. She got her first Airedale in 1981, and that’s when this love affair was born. It continues, strong today.
I read this (bold text below) and wondered: “What if…???”
When I first started showing dogs, I heard the same phrase more often than I could count. “You need to pay your dues.”
Of course, no breed is for everyone. Not a single one. If it slobbers, shuffles, sheds, or snorts, it’s not for me, for example. Others find those traits endearing. And any owner who is interviewed about their breed should always mention any caveats associated with it. But maybe it’s time we quit trying to talk prospective owners out of our breed, or out of dogs in general.
