How much is that doggie in the window? Do you know or care where your pets come from? Or what their heritage might be? How many of you have succumbed to those precious little faces in the box outside the door at the grocery store? Where is that little creature now?

This article will endeavor to enlighten you regarding canine over population in this country and present you with a common sense approach to alleviating this shameful situation. First, a little history follows on why a pure bred dog.

The primary reason humans interfered in the "natural selection process" of dog breeding was to control certain characteristics. Each of the breeds that exist in the world today were developed to help mankind, either in hunting, guarding, herding or, in the case of just a few, exclusively for companionship. Centuries of selective breeding resulted in many specialized breeds. Specialized in terms of temperament, size, and function. Different breeds for different needs!

Without the responsible PURE BRED dog breeder we will loose the ability to predict what a puppy will be like as an adult. We will end up with nothing but mixed breed dogs who may, or may not, be the adult we wanted when we got him as a puppy. Whether we need a good guard dog, or we want a dog to go hunting with us, or simply a dog to keep us company in our golden years. It is necessary to be able to predict with some certainty whether the puppy we fall in love with will be protective enough to guard us, or have any of the instinct left in his mixed heritage to even be trained as a hunter, or small and gentle enough for a senior citizen to manage. A dog that will not develop into an aggressive giant that is more threat than companion for that frail little old lady.

The majority of the dogs we see in animal shelters are mixed breed dogs. As PURE BRED breeders we weep for those mixed breed dogs whose lives are nothing but one terrifying moment after another until they are finally killed, either by other animals, or man. "Disposable dogs," whether mixed or pure bred, are the shame of the human race. No value is placed on the life of a dog that is so easily replaced. Spay and neuter clinics alone can't control the sheer numbers of dogs that are born every day. Litters that are allowed because "little Suzy and Johnny should see how puppies are born" are doomed to end up in animal shelters condemned to death. No amount of rationalization can deny the fact that hundreds of thousands of dogs are DAILY killed in animal shelters nationwide with the Christmas season being the worst time. Animal shelter, what a laugh! They don't shelter the animals, they kill them. "Euthanize," and "put to sleep" are merely words we humans use to salve our consciences as we dump the unwanted animals we allow to indiscriminately breed.

So what is a responsible dog breeder? I . . . was a "responsible dog breeder." That statement means I was not a puppy mill, nor did I breed dogs for profit. I bred dogs to better the breed, and I proved it by exhibition in American Kennel Club Sanctioned Shows. Those of us who breed for this purpose have the objective in mind of improving the breed by eliminating genetic diseases, and preserving the characteristics that each breed was bred for. This effort is born out of a great love for our own particular breed, with genetic factors dictating the end result. Five, ten, as many as fifteen and twenty generations are represented in our breeding programs. Not to mention the years of careful study and research into genetics that the breeders of the first dogs we acquired have done before us. How many among us humans can boast of a family tree that traces back twenty and thirty generations? So in terms of scientific studies these dogs represent a priceless contribution to the world of the PURE BRED dog.

Despite popular belief mixed breed dogs are NOT healthier and smarter. If you allow two dogs with the same strong heart, good coat, even temperament, excellent eyesight, healthy liver and pancreas, to breed, the odds are in favor of producing a litter of puppies with those same positive charecteristics. If you allow two dogs that are bad tempered and aggressive, with epilepsy, hip dysplasia, juvenile cataracts and genetic skin diseases to breed, the odds dictate a litter of puppies just like THOSE parents! That "survival of the fittest" cliche doesn't work with domesticated animals. Responsible Pure Bred dog breeders work to reduce and eliminate those undesirable genetic traits found in all breeds. Only by careful research into pedigrees, and faithful attention to regular genetic testing can we, in good conscience, allow ANY pair of dogs to breed. And unless that pair of dogs are pure bred dogs, pedigree and genetic disease records don't even exist! The American Kennel Club is that kind of record keeping organization.

When we register a dog with the American Kennel Club we're adding to the information needed to make our breeding research easier. The registration certificate you recieve if you have a pure bred dog testifies only to the fact that this particular dog is a result of a breeding between two other dogs registered with the AKC. That THOSE two dogs are results of breedings between two other pairs of dogs, etc, etc, etc. This certificate does NOT mean that this dog is a SHOW dog. Or even show quality. Which leads to the burning question, why do we even HAVE dog shows?

Because only the best dogs are supposed to be declared champions and, only the best should be bred (that is how you improve the breed). The AKC maintains those records, also. Keeping track of how many other dogs that particular show dog has defeated to determine when he has earned his AKC Championship. In addition, the judges are tested and licensed by the AKC and are supposed to have sufficient knowledge of each breed standard (or pattern of excellence), to be able to determine which IS the best dog at that show, on that day.

What about the dollar investment? Are we independently wealthy? In terms of financial value these dogs represent tens of thousands of dollars. Dollars we have willingly sacrificed in the interest of our favorite breeds. New furniture we don't have, vacations we can't afford, new clothes we're unable to buy (unless they're dog show clothes), even dental work we forego in order to pay veterinary bills.

So where does the money come from? Puppy sales, yes. We responsible breeders DO sell some puppies into carefully screened homes, as companions. Few of us, if any, ever manage to even begin covering expenses that way. Most of us must have outside jobs to pay the bills. And...not every puppy in every litter can be a show dog. Some little thing, such as a tooth not quite in the right place, a tail that doesn't sit at quite the right angle, legs that are a little too long or too short, for that particular breed. Or a puppy that is a little shy and would not have fun in the show ring (because if they aren't having any fun it is CRUEL to try and show them). That puppy will not be a show dog but, will certainly be a healthy, loving, companion. Giving us the unconditional love we all need. The same testing for genetic imperfections in the parents, the same careful study of pedigrees, the same health care has gone into producing this almost perfect specimen, and we

must sell him as a pet. A pet that is far and above healthier and happier and better socialized than any dog coming out of a pet shop by way of a puppy mill or backyard breeder. Far better than a mixed breed dog that has been abused and/or terrified at an animal shelter and has, God only knows, how many health problems lurking in his genetic heritage. And yes...we request money for our puppies, because we've found through the years that far too many people place no value on anything free. And we don't want our puppies to become "disposable dogs." There have been times when I personally, and other breeders I know, have given dogs away free to some elderly person that can't afford to pay for a dog but can manage the maintenance costs. They've usually had our particular breed before and hold a special place in their hearts for another. If we feel we can trust them to properly cherish and care for our less than perfect ones, or a retired show dog, we let them go. These animals take a little piece of our hearts along when they leave us.

So what can we do about the canine overpopulation problem? The puppy mills of today are a thriving business in many areas of this country. Within the city limits of any major town there can be found more than one puppy mill in operation though they're most prolific in rural areas. However, as conscientious caring people we can put a stop to that kind of operation by demanding the issuance of HOBBY SHOW BREEDER licenses! THIS SHOULD NOT BE A KENNEL LICENSE!!! We are not "boarding kennels." There must be a distinction between the Kennel License and the HOBBY SHOW BREEDER license. The politicians and animal rights activists need to be educated as to the difference between the two entities. The HOBBY SHOW BREEDER license should be restrictive as to the number of adult and junior dogs allowed at one time. There should be requirements as to the breeder furnishing proof of the claim of breeding for show dogs by pedigree documentation from the breeders records and copies of American Kennel Club Show Records, provided by the applicant. These must be in the form of AKC Championship points won by dogs either owned, or bred by, the applicant. In addition, a current ongoing membership in a Pure Bred Dog Club as most breed clubs won't approve applications for membership from irresponsible, puppy mill type breeders. PURE BRED breeders would be thrilled to assist in the development of parameters for a license for the "HOBBY SHOW BREEDER." Many of us would love to come forward and educate members of our local city councils and the voters but alas, we don't DARE step forward and champion our own cause! For in taking such a stand, "blowing our cover" so to speak, we place ourselves and the animals we love and cherish in jeopardy. Unlike the high profile activists, we must operate in a shadow world, much like the underground railroad days of another shameful time in our country's history. The efforts of a few misinformed, hysterical, people could destroy our darlings and the protected lives they live. Forcing them into animal shelters to be killed, or passing them around from stranger to stranger because, "he was free, and now he's too much trouble." Because that's exactly what happens with today's archaic animal control laws. People who run around claiming "animal rights" as a "cause," attending dog shows and releasing valuable, sheltered animals into the dangers of today's traffic, to die, THOSE people, fail to understand the PURPOSE of the PURE BRED dog and are either ignorant or bored. The hysterical, misinformed, high profile activist is as irresponsible as the person yelling "FIRE!" in a crowded theater.

In conclusion, if you would like to be known as enlightened, compassionate people, and intelligent voters, send letters to your county and city officials. Demand the enactment of realistic and humane legislation regarding PURE BRED dog breeders. If "HOBBY SHOW BREEDERS" could come out of the closet, without fear of punitive measures, "HOBBY SHOW BREEDERS" could become the most effective educators and enforcers of animal control laws. The payoff could mean millions of dollars saved in the animal control field and ultimately, funneled into areas benefitting human lives.

Send copies of the previous article along with the following note to your own government representatives and help save the future of our "best friends."

Dear Local and County Representatives;

I am a resident of your area and a registered voter. Please read the attached letter written by a RESPONSIBLE DOG BREEDER. If you truly have the best interests of your constituents at heart, you will pay close attention to the fact that not only can Canine Overpopulation be affected, in a sensitive positive way, but Tax Dollars saved, to be spent on human needs.

Thank you for your kind attention. I'll be watching and waiting for your response in this matter.

Sincerely,

__________________________________ Date ___________