All is well at Regalridge. It was a dog show day with the little Japanese car leaving the property for the lovely Annapolis Valley. It rained. Then there was a thunderstorm. Surprised? Didn't think so. Still, it is a lovely drive across the county and with the exception of the little hiccup of half of a church (the center half - think middle layer of a layer cake) which was a bit startling and occasioned quite a wait on the narrow road, it was a leisurely drive. There was a party at Karen and Tony's with great hospitality, great company and great food. Can't beat that. And those breadcrumbs that we dropped last time to guide us through the maze of streets were still in evidence - we found the house without having to resort to even one phone call or email. It's not easy for those of us from the country to navigate a subdivision and trust Tony to be at the very end of about 1673 streets that intersect at odd angles. The planner for that complex must have been having a very interesting life when he laid that one out.
The kennel is just fine. Barret is in residence so Trebia is thrilled. Even in the wet, the two have had their races, with more schedule, we understand. As is always the case, both won, every time. Rozzie arrived early in the day and settled in easily. Buzz is still with us and trying to learn. He is somewhat more relaxed with large dogs but certainly has no love for any small four footed animals. From a Welsh size down, he is apoplectic. We carry on in his life lessons. It is interesting to see rescue dogs and think about integration into homes as compared to the puppies that are raised by responsible breeders.
As we develop positive experiences for our puppies, watch their mother provide tremendous care under our guidance and encouragement, it is apparent that the rescue dogs are so fundamentally challenged. Homes for rescue dogs must overcome so many issues that those who have purchased from responsible breeders will never face. And of course some of these dogs will never properly integrate. There are degrees of issues and challenges that will exist for the lifetime of many rescue dogs. Now, some are from great homes, were well bred and have had a circumstance dictate that they be put into rescue for a short time - marriage dissolution, health issues with owners, etc. These difficult times occasion circumstances where a good dog must move to a new home. This integration is the easy one - perhaps a month of learning the ropes in a new family. But more are situations like that of Buzz - questionable breeding, no proper life lessons at appropriate stages of life, homes (often multiple) where his needs were left unmet and finally a caring rescue person who has taken on his rehabilitation and placed him for a period for assessment and care to see what his potential actually is. Vet clinics are rife with rescues. These are dogs that see more than their share of health issues.
Responsible breeders screen for health problems, determine breedings based on pedigrees, health and temperament to improve their breed. They take back every dog they have bred if for any reason the purchaser can no longer care for it. These are not dogs that end up in rescue.
Most of the unwanted dogs, the dogs that languish in no kill shelters, that are challenges for families for years or that are euthanized for non-compliance with a home's requirements are from two sources - commercial facilities who do no testing and are uninterested in breed improvement or back yard for profit breeders. And perhaps the latter group is the most challenging. These are sometimes the 'designer' dogs - any mix of any genetic combination but assuredly not the best of anything.
Responsible breeders are very careful in the placing of their well bred puppies. So the 'designer' breeds that have been in favour with some public and with the media are the bottom of the barrel breeding stock. And these., of course, are not planned and managed breeding programs with health checks, breed improvement goals and managed breedings. These are breedings designed for profit alone. The interesting term 'hybrid vigour' is a complete misnomer and does not apply intra-species but has been latched on to by media and these profit-based producers of dogs to sell the public on the cheaply produced hybrids. Some do offer guarantees - and read the long contract carefully. Think about sending your family pet back to a person who is producing dogs for profit, who cares nothing for breed improvement and who will provide you with another puppy upon return of your pet Those guarantees come with many conditions and exclusions, of course. The next puppy will have been bred in the same production process, will have had the same degree of analysis of parents and health checks (were there any?) and will have similar issues. Since there has been no change in breeding stock, there is no opportunity to add tested and stable dogs and there will be the same support for the new home as the last dog.
Where does this purchaser go when the doodle or poo doesn't work out? They either go to yet another rescue situation or decide that a dog is not right for the family. In some cases, through better education they will find a breeder. And dogs are increasing as a pet of choice in Canada. There are not more responsible breeders nor are there the number of purebred dogs being produced that were bred 10 years ago. Breeders who do the 'right thing' by their programs are decreasing. Our population is moving to the cities, the Canadian demographic is shifting. Breeders who are responsible have had difficult choices to make as their rural properties have become part of amalgamated municipalities. No longer are large kennels able to be maintained in many areas. Programs for improving a breed have had to change, moving dogs to homes where they return to the breeder for a litter. This is not an easily managed relationship at best and can lead to complications that drive a breeder out of breeding in many cases.
A usable long term model for breeding good dogs going forward has not yet been found in North America. Increasing restrictions, imposed by legislators, veterinary associations and the well funded organizations who want to see a cessation of all breeding, including HSUS and PETA, are taking a toll. But as is apparent to those of us so engaged in dogs, the toll is on the 'good guys' and is having little or no impact on the commercial breeders or the back yard for profit sector. Those who register, show, test and guarantee are easily recognizable. These are people who purchase kennel licenses, are visible and honest. They invest in their dogs and are easy targets.
Commercial facilities will comply with regulation because they are businesses. They will provide regulated care without any thought for breed improvement, but they will exist. Add to that the thousands of underground economy individuals who are breeding and selling mixed breeds - by far the majority of dogs purchased in Canada. It is a worrisome trend in Canada. We work with the Canadian Kennel Club to find solutions. We look to Europe to learn from their experiences and we continue to breed and to care for our dogs, to mange top notch breeding programs, to believe that every family deserves a well bred dog who will be the best we can provide. We support our puppy purchasers and we educate families on the benefits of well bred dogs. And yet that is not enough. We are losing the media battle to the unbelievably well funded HSUS and PETA organizations.
So we can define the problem. Now we must find solutions - solutions that will reduce rescue to a memory. Solutions that will provide the right dog to the right home at a time convenient to the family. It is the challenge of this decade. Let's hope there are enough of us left to take up that challenge and see it through.
The kennel is just fine. Barret is in residence so Trebia is thrilled. Even in the wet, the two have had their races, with more schedule, we understand. As is always the case, both won, every time. Rozzie arrived early in the day and settled in easily. Buzz is still with us and trying to learn. He is somewhat more relaxed with large dogs but certainly has no love for any small four footed animals. From a Welsh size down, he is apoplectic. We carry on in his life lessons. It is interesting to see rescue dogs and think about integration into homes as compared to the puppies that are raised by responsible breeders.
As we develop positive experiences for our puppies, watch their mother provide tremendous care under our guidance and encouragement, it is apparent that the rescue dogs are so fundamentally challenged. Homes for rescue dogs must overcome so many issues that those who have purchased from responsible breeders will never face. And of course some of these dogs will never properly integrate. There are degrees of issues and challenges that will exist for the lifetime of many rescue dogs. Now, some are from great homes, were well bred and have had a circumstance dictate that they be put into rescue for a short time - marriage dissolution, health issues with owners, etc. These difficult times occasion circumstances where a good dog must move to a new home. This integration is the easy one - perhaps a month of learning the ropes in a new family. But more are situations like that of Buzz - questionable breeding, no proper life lessons at appropriate stages of life, homes (often multiple) where his needs were left unmet and finally a caring rescue person who has taken on his rehabilitation and placed him for a period for assessment and care to see what his potential actually is. Vet clinics are rife with rescues. These are dogs that see more than their share of health issues.
Responsible breeders screen for health problems, determine breedings based on pedigrees, health and temperament to improve their breed. They take back every dog they have bred if for any reason the purchaser can no longer care for it. These are not dogs that end up in rescue.
Most of the unwanted dogs, the dogs that languish in no kill shelters, that are challenges for families for years or that are euthanized for non-compliance with a home's requirements are from two sources - commercial facilities who do no testing and are uninterested in breed improvement or back yard for profit breeders. And perhaps the latter group is the most challenging. These are sometimes the 'designer' dogs - any mix of any genetic combination but assuredly not the best of anything.
Responsible breeders are very careful in the placing of their well bred puppies. So the 'designer' breeds that have been in favour with some public and with the media are the bottom of the barrel breeding stock. And these., of course, are not planned and managed breeding programs with health checks, breed improvement goals and managed breedings. These are breedings designed for profit alone. The interesting term 'hybrid vigour' is a complete misnomer and does not apply intra-species but has been latched on to by media and these profit-based producers of dogs to sell the public on the cheaply produced hybrids. Some do offer guarantees - and read the long contract carefully. Think about sending your family pet back to a person who is producing dogs for profit, who cares nothing for breed improvement and who will provide you with another puppy upon return of your pet Those guarantees come with many conditions and exclusions, of course. The next puppy will have been bred in the same production process, will have had the same degree of analysis of parents and health checks (were there any?) and will have similar issues. Since there has been no change in breeding stock, there is no opportunity to add tested and stable dogs and there will be the same support for the new home as the last dog.
Where does this purchaser go when the doodle or poo doesn't work out? They either go to yet another rescue situation or decide that a dog is not right for the family. In some cases, through better education they will find a breeder. And dogs are increasing as a pet of choice in Canada. There are not more responsible breeders nor are there the number of purebred dogs being produced that were bred 10 years ago. Breeders who do the 'right thing' by their programs are decreasing. Our population is moving to the cities, the Canadian demographic is shifting. Breeders who are responsible have had difficult choices to make as their rural properties have become part of amalgamated municipalities. No longer are large kennels able to be maintained in many areas. Programs for improving a breed have had to change, moving dogs to homes where they return to the breeder for a litter. This is not an easily managed relationship at best and can lead to complications that drive a breeder out of breeding in many cases.
A usable long term model for breeding good dogs going forward has not yet been found in North America. Increasing restrictions, imposed by legislators, veterinary associations and the well funded organizations who want to see a cessation of all breeding, including HSUS and PETA, are taking a toll. But as is apparent to those of us so engaged in dogs, the toll is on the 'good guys' and is having little or no impact on the commercial breeders or the back yard for profit sector. Those who register, show, test and guarantee are easily recognizable. These are people who purchase kennel licenses, are visible and honest. They invest in their dogs and are easy targets.
Commercial facilities will comply with regulation because they are businesses. They will provide regulated care without any thought for breed improvement, but they will exist. Add to that the thousands of underground economy individuals who are breeding and selling mixed breeds - by far the majority of dogs purchased in Canada. It is a worrisome trend in Canada. We work with the Canadian Kennel Club to find solutions. We look to Europe to learn from their experiences and we continue to breed and to care for our dogs, to mange top notch breeding programs, to believe that every family deserves a well bred dog who will be the best we can provide. We support our puppy purchasers and we educate families on the benefits of well bred dogs. And yet that is not enough. We are losing the media battle to the unbelievably well funded HSUS and PETA organizations.
So we can define the problem. Now we must find solutions - solutions that will reduce rescue to a memory. Solutions that will provide the right dog to the right home at a time convenient to the family. It is the challenge of this decade. Let's hope there are enough of us left to take up that challenge and see it through.
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