Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Palm City, FL
Posts: 319
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Photo Nominations 1 Time in 1 Post
I know there are wonderful, responsible breeders on this site that undoubtedly produce wonderful pets and also breed for show; I also know there are terrible breeders who push their litters as top quality "show" dogs in order to attract buyers, and who could not be trusted to provide a healthy puppy with good temperament.
I know my opinion is not one shared by many. But there is no question that breeding that emphasizes conformation over all other factors, and confining breeding to limited breed lines, as has been done with many breeds, has led to a host of inherited health problems and behavioral issues. Just look what happened to the cocker spaniel, for one. I wish the show ring would disappear and dogs would be bred for temperament and health first, while maintaining general breed characteristics.
Look at the difference between Labrador retrievers who are bred for conformation, and those bred for field trial work. Often, field trial dogs are way outside the "breed standard" for conformation, but they are expert at the real work that the breed originally existed to do. They are "real" labs, in my opinion...strong, solid, healthy and functional, as well as wonderful pets.
I haven't had any good or bad experiences with breeders that breed show dogs, but apparently there are some, some of which have been shared on this forum.
My breeder couldn't have done a better job, and she breeds companion dogs for temperament, health and conformation...but she does NOT breed for show, and does not sell her pups as show dogs, although I'm sure some of her pups could be shown well. I found her by recommendation, which is the best way to find any professional. I found the right match for me, which is not necessarily the right match for anyone else...it depends what you are looking for. What mattered to me most was the health and temperament of the breed lines and the environment in which my puppy would spend the first 8 weeks of his life. On those counts, I couldn't have done better.
My other thought on this is don't be reluctant to travel far to find the right breeder for you. I flew from Florida to Pennsylvania to bring my puppy home.
Happy Mom...
of two Happy Havs