Message #77690

[Monteria]

It should be noted that there will always be the unscrupulous AND uneducated breeders of pretty color and novelty. Some are out to make a buck on said novelty and will lie through their teeth to make that sale. Some don't know any better and truly believe that their progeny are performance bred simply because of the breed or pedigree. Regardless of reason, the result of each scenario is identical, the buyer expecting a performance animal gets screwed..... Don't think this dynamic is limited to Cats either. It holds true for any breed expressing even a single unique trait.

As long as there are clueless buyers out there, they will support the clueless breeders and, for the most part everyone will be happy. The issue only becomes evident when a buyer really did expect a performance animal. Because of that, we will never be able to rid the world of crappy breeders.

So what can we do? Exactly what we are. Speak out and educate. That's obviously not a perfect answer, it won't put pet breeders out of business, but it is certainly better than not.

Worst case scenario, one newbe, in the market for a couple of hogdog pups, reads THIS THREAD and as a result asks the perspective breeder when the last time HIS dogs, the actual parents of the pup, caught a pig was.

If the answer is "never but the grand parents were hog dogs", or "I don't actually hunt very often", or "all X breed dogs hunt, its in their blood", said newbe now knows to turn and run like hell!

If the answer is "last weekend for the stud and just before the gyp was bred" the newbe should start asking to see pictures or hunt with the parents.

And guess what, they know that too because of this conversation. Because WE as hogdoggers, users, and breeders of performance animals took the time to EDUCATE the general population.

At least that is the way it works in my lala land.

Steve