I am a hobby breeder.
I love the breed or breeds I own. I want what is best for them and the breed in general. I strive to make sure all my dogs are good-will ambassadors for others to meet. I do what is necessary to protect the breed, including rescuing dogs of other's breeding, to prevent them from ending up in a worse situation.
I am an avid campaigner against puppy mills, back-yard breeders, pet shops that sell mammals, and people who engage in dog fighting. I am also against breed specific legislation and the PAWS bill as currently written. I am anti-PETA and anti- HSUS. If you wonder why, ask me!
A dog show is supposed to be a family oriented sport. Don't be fooled into thinking that all "show dogs" are good dogs. Like in any sport, some of the winners aren't really the best. Dogs shows can be "cut-throat" competition, where the desire to win outweighs the concern for the breed. Sorry to say, but there are people who "fix" bad bites with braces, bad color with dye and even missing testicles with neuticals! These are NOT the kind of breeder-exhibitor who I want to associate with
For me, dogs showing is a hobby. Dog breeding is a hobby.
This is what I mean:
1. Hobby breeders study the pedigrees of all dogs they breed, and have a purpose for breeding specific dogs.
2. Hobby breeders do the health checks that are pertinent to their breed. That means CERF to check for cataracts and PRA, plus having patellae checked for luxation. Both these health checks require "certification" to show up in either OFA or CERF's online searchable database.
3. Hobby breeders don't breed the same bitch on every season. This can be very detrimental to the bitch and her puppies. Breeding takes a lot out of a dam, and continuing to breed with no rest could shorten her life.
4. Hobby breeders have contracts stipulating the conditon of the dog being sold, and how it will be cared for in the future, as well as guarantees of health/replacement.
5. Hobby breeders don't use dealers or pet shops to sell their pups.
6. Hobby breeders exhibit their dogs, in either conformation, performance or both. This is not a hard and fast rule. Some hobby breeders used to show, but are now retired. They still have good dogs, know the standard, and produce quality pets.
7. Hobby breeders belong to a kennel club--national, all breed or both.
8. Hobby breeders make sure that all nutritional, emotional and health of their dogs/pups needs are met.
9. Hobby breeders screen prospective buyers.
10 Hobby breeders provide support, answer questions AND take back dogs of their breeding any time during its life, NO matter the age or condition of the dog.
11. Hobby breeders frequently find themselves indebted for large sums
to their local vet and often vet specialists.
