Need breeding answers? Ask your MOTHER....?

Question

This question is for all those out there (and you know who you are) who think that people who insist that only top-quality animals be bred are snobs, greedy, Nazis, or predjudiced:

Where do you get the crazy idea that it's okay or 'natural' to breed animals simply because they're "cute" or "super-friendly" or the "best pet ever?" This may be true for you, but it is not representative of breeding-quality animals. Champions have all those qualities + genes that are worth passing on. How do they prove it? Shows, field trials, athletic events, schools, police proving grounds, etc...

Think an animal doesn't have to PROVE it should be bred? Ask your Mother- Mother Nature! Ever seen two Bison fight, or two Lions, or two Elephant Seals, or two Elk? Why do you think they're fighting? To PROVE which one has the right to mate- to determine which is the best!

To those who say selective breeding is unnatural...Mom says "You're Wrong!"

Thoughts, please? If you have them?

EDIT: To Me (boy that sounds weird) Those who breed purebreds are sometimes called "Nazis" by other people. Who said that was funny?

EDIT 2: Some folks are missing the point. The point is, in Nature it is "Survival of the Fittest." That should be the motto when it comes to breeding domestic animals as well...That's the whole point...

EDIT 3: Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you eloquence in action...I give you Animal Artwork...

I love the way you write, Art!

Answer 1

During the formation of many breeds, selection, natural and otherwise was used. In Samoyeds (one of the oldest breeds) selection was made by which dogs survived... the weather as well as the humans who sometimes ate them... only the best and those who were good at their jobs (herding, hauling, hunting) survived.. as well those who could forage (and thieve) for themselves during the summer. Temperament and willingness to work became ingrained SIMPLY through the fact that the best dogs survived and were able to reproduce.

In other breeds, selection for certain traits assisted in forming the breed. Even the toy group has a job... which is generally to be a charming companion... And in ANY breed this can rapidly be affected by those not having close adherance to the purpose for the breed... especially in the case of a sudden rise in popularity. Uneducated breeding practices where an irresponsible (backyard) breeder doesn't personnal do the research to determine temperament THROUGHOUT the pedigree ( 5 generations) can create dogs that are not temperamentally suited to do their lives work as a companion. Twenty years ago Chihuahuas were NOT as big an issue for biting.. its only through the last 5 years and increased popularity that they became bad.

Me: As an aside... dog breeders (especially responsible ones who do not condone purposefully mixing breeds) are OFTEN compared to Nazis. My guess is it has to do with the "purity" of race (breed) issue. I'm certain it was not meant as a joke.

Edit: Howldine, darlin, you make me blush

Answer 2

If your mother has already bred the dog than it is in a way too late. Though I am hoping she will realize what she is doing wrong and will NOT make the same mistake. I don't understand why anyone (but the people doing it- its obvious why they do it) would agree with backyard breeding. It not only adds to the amount of dogs in the shelters but usually always ruins the life of the dogs involved. I have a 1.5 year old purebred German Shepherd female with champion bloodlines that I had planned to breed next year when she is a few months over 2 years old. But after rescuing a neglected, badly matted, over bred and most likely abused Bichon Frise from a BYB (she gave birth to 8 more puppies a month after I took her in). I can't say I'm too sure i want to bred her anymore if there is a chance her puppies could end up in a home like that. And it is mostly homes like the one I rescued the Bichon from that backyard or irresponsibly bred dogs go to. You might want to point out to your mom that she can foster pregnant dogs that way she is doing everyone a favour and still gets to watch puppies grow. Most shelters would provide the food and vet care. "BYB's have little caulk": You misunderstood as I did not explain- She is champion sired- (by champion lines I ment that her grandparents on BOTH sides were champions) I was NOT going to breed her unless she could earn herself a title in search and rescue or obedience (what I am training her in) AND has good hips and elbows as well as maintains her overall great personality (she contradicts bad stereotypes). I have already gone over this with the registered and well known breeder I bought her from (my breeding mentor). Who would assist me in everything from the check-up for her hips and finding a sire with a title down to finding all the puppies homes, they even take any puppies I cannot find homes for IF I decide to breed. Added: I hope so, but I won't know until next year when all the text and competitions are done.

Answer 3

I think people should only breed,to better the breed (ie : if they have done Shows, field trials, athletic events, schools, police proving grounds)
had all the genetic health testings and got their dogs from a reputable breeder. People's reasons for breeding are often not well thought out, some people dont think they are doing a bad thing breeding their dogs and others just hope to make some quick cash. I have only been on Yahoo a couple days and i already see a majority of questions asking about pregnant dogs and how to breed. I think if you have to come on Yahoo to learn how to breed then you shouldnt be breeding. A lot of people seem to have this idea that breeding is all fun and games and easy , i am not a breeder but i know in order to be a reputable breeder it takes time, dedication,knowledge and money, not something you just deciide to do because you have 2 dogs. We dont need any more mutts, poorley bred purebreds in this world. Sorry thats the truth ,to anyone that thinks that reputable breeders are snobby,"nazi like" or greedy.

Answer 4

I agree only top quality dogs should be breed I lova champion quality dogs and would never buy a dog that wasnt I think it is great some people want pound dogs but it is not for me I want to know about the history family triats perents titles bloodlines I love it and wouldnt have it anyother way

Answer 5

I agree 100%! Why else would the bucks fight, or the elk, or the buffalo, or any animal actually? Mother Nature designed Earth perfectly--it's the stupid BYBs and puppymillers who ruin her intention. Even the females know--with wolves, only the alpha female (i.e. BEST female) mates within the pack--the non-deserving ones only help with rearing the pups.

I never thought of it this way before. Very good way to put it!

ANYBODY who says "the people who want wellbred dogs are snobs" are stupid. I do believe in rescue, but also in reputable breeders! C'mon, people; fifty years down the road, if all the dogs, good and bad alike, are sterilized, won't the dogs be extinct?

People want things for a reason--and in this case, it's a good one!

Answer 6

It has been suggested that those who breed pet-quality dogs also get to watch euthanasia of pet quality dogs at the dog pound. Watch their lifeless bodies being piled into barrels and the barrels placed in the back of a truck to be taken to an incinerator or the county landfill.

Talk about Nazi-ism!!! Nazis were reputed for gassing and experimenting on living beings. Those who respect life enough to know when it should not be brought into the world are not Nazis.

Popcorn is not really good for you--have an apple

Answer 7

It's so true, and I'm going to join the choir here...

As dogs are domesticated animals, they don't have to fight or compete as their wild animal ancestors did and do. Instead, they prove their worthiness to breed to humans by their willingness to work, superb temperaments, dazzling skills, and conformation to human-set breed standards. Those who develop new breeds successfully are doing tons of research, building the "perfect dog" for their purposes. This is how it should be, but sadly, we have taken the competition out of it for a lot of our pet dogs. It's like the recent movement in schools where Johnny will be sad if he doesn't get a trophy - give them all trophies. No one wants to hear "your dog isn't good enough," and it takes a thick skin, I'd imagine, to hear "your dog isn't worthy of breeding" for the first few times until you really understood.

Answer 8

Unfortunately the whole "I must breed my dog because he/she is the cutest" is why thousands of pets get put to sleep every single day.

Im a firm believer that breeders who do the health checks, show their dogs, and breed for the betterment of the the breed should be the ones to breed dogs.

Backyard breeders just throw 2 dogs together and have puppies and dont care if and more often than not the health problems that they allow future dogs to have.

Im not saying that reputable breeders dont see the health problems, but they do take the responsible action of stop breeding certain dogs due to the fact that it passes on health/ temperament problems.

Answer 9

Good observation and true -- responsible breeders are likely even more selective than mother nature but at least they are selective instead of just cranking out dogs for their own egos and ignorant selfishness. Yes, good observation but likely way lost on a lot of the ignorant out there (who don't have a clue about natural selection - and likely neither did their parents :)

Answer 10

its true, mother nature has her own way of selective breeding! Predators kill weak prey, they do not live on to produce. Males fight for the right to breed. In many wolf packs, only the alpha male and female are allowed to breed.