Pedigree Dogs Exposed

The breeder I got my older Sheltie from was not taking the best of care of her dogs. She had about 20 and decided to 'get rid of' a bunch of her older ones because they are not making her money or winning awards anymore. She had them all kenneled in a dog room in her basement and they rarely got to get out. The dogs were not part of the family and it was just heartbreaking. The Sheltie I got from her had no personality and was very timid. After 2 months of being spoiled he really came out of his shell and is doing so great. It's just strange to me to treat a dog like an object and not like a sweet little dog. :(
 
Breeding for "Good healthy Pet" traits

What do you guys think about breeding for "good healthy pet" traits rather than the "breed standard"?

Any thoughts?
 
It's not an "either/or".

There is absolutely no reason why a conformationally-correct Sheltie cannot also be a good, healthy pet. (Indeed, our show dogs are our pets - and the "pet" part of their lives is much larger than the "show" part). We produce more pet puppies than show puppies - that's just how the statistics work - so all of our puppies are bred with the idea that they will be good, healthy pets and Shelties that look like Shelties (even if they aren't quite enough for the show-ring).

By the same token, if you are planning on producing good, healthy pets, why not breed to the Standard? You aren't losing anything on the "healthy pet" side, and you are remaining true to the essence of the breed.
 
I agree it is not an either/or situation. Whether your goal is breeding show dogs, performance dogs or pets the standard is a guide. I don't know why you would not breed to the standard. The standard dipicts a sound body, correct temperment and type and is what makes a sheltie a sheltie and not a mixed breed off the street.

Extremes obviously should be avoided. It is a good breeder that knows the difference. A good breeder cares as much or more about health and longivity of their dogs as they do about winning in breed ring. Those who only care about only winning(like the breeders in PDE) are no better then irresponsible breeders we talk so much about.
 
This video made me sick to my stomach, literally. Watching the little King Charles in so much pain was just gut wrenching.

I would like to think that most breeders are like tofupup and her family. But I'd venture to guess that there is a lot more of the type of breeding exposed in this video going on than we care to beleive.

Those breeders saying pups should be put down, well I could just strangle them. A retired breeder told me that Cooper should have been put down when he was a pup due to his "disabilities." She said this only one day after he had come to my home and already I knew the kind of joy he would add to our family. Why in the world should he have been put down because of his eyesight and hearing? It wasn't his fault and all you have to do is neuter him and not breed his parents again! Before the end of my conversation with her I was in tears. Disgusting!
 
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