- Jun 4, 2011
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I find it sad that people will spend months researching a TV, DVD player, or other purchase but when it comes to adding a living breathing creature that will live in their home for 10+ years the only consideration is the initial money that they spend and don't consider where the dog came from. "Just a pet" is the most grueling thing that a dog can do.
As for showing, there are many ways to prove that your dog is worthy of breeding. But "oh I think he is just the cutest dog ever" isn't an evaluation. We all think that our dogs are next to perfect. That is why it is important to have an impartial person evaluate your dog.
Honestly, a reputable breeder isn't going to be that much more expensive than your dogs from other sources. Price for a BYB GSD, $600. No health tests, no guarantee, just give me money and get the puppy out of my yard. Price for a dog from a good breeder, $900-$1000 depending on your area. Health tests, dogs evaluated to be stable and healthy. A lifetime of support from the breeder.
Those hunting dogs are a different case. They are hunting dogs - they prove their worth in the field. Do you know any local hunters who say "well, this coonhound couldn't track his way out of a paper bag but I could sell some cute puppies so I'll breed him anyway" Of course not. They stake their reputation on the abilities of their dogs. And an unhealthy dog isn't going to be worth anything in the field either. So that dog isn't going to be bred either. They don't "show" but they do evaluate the dogs carefully. With solid concrete proof of the dog's ability that they can prove to anyone who wants to see it.
The place to get a dog from a BYB is through rescue, where most of them end up anyway. Instead of giving money to someone and encouraging them to breed again, the money goes to the people working hard to clean up the mess they leave behind.
As for showing, there are many ways to prove that your dog is worthy of breeding. But "oh I think he is just the cutest dog ever" isn't an evaluation. We all think that our dogs are next to perfect. That is why it is important to have an impartial person evaluate your dog.
Honestly, a reputable breeder isn't going to be that much more expensive than your dogs from other sources. Price for a BYB GSD, $600. No health tests, no guarantee, just give me money and get the puppy out of my yard. Price for a dog from a good breeder, $900-$1000 depending on your area. Health tests, dogs evaluated to be stable and healthy. A lifetime of support from the breeder.
Those hunting dogs are a different case. They are hunting dogs - they prove their worth in the field. Do you know any local hunters who say "well, this coonhound couldn't track his way out of a paper bag but I could sell some cute puppies so I'll breed him anyway" Of course not. They stake their reputation on the abilities of their dogs. And an unhealthy dog isn't going to be worth anything in the field either. So that dog isn't going to be bred either. They don't "show" but they do evaluate the dogs carefully. With solid concrete proof of the dog's ability that they can prove to anyone who wants to see it.
The place to get a dog from a BYB is through rescue, where most of them end up anyway. Instead of giving money to someone and encouraging them to breed again, the money goes to the people working hard to clean up the mess they leave behind.
As a child, I spouted some of the same things I am hearing parroted here, and more... I am glad I grew to see past my own nose. 
