10/21/2024
IMHO
AKC breeders who participate in Conformation (those AKC dog shows you see on TV) are doing a public service.
For the breeders I know, Conformation is truly a vocation - they give generously from their hearts for the sake of the breeds they love and also are amazing mentors to young people. This has been my personal experience through our much loved Lhasa breeder Tia McLaughlin. And those AKC breeders we know here on Whidbey. Including Mary Jane Sarbaugh.
From Siri (Knowledge):
The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a not-for-profit organisation that is dedicated to upholding the integrity of its registry, promoting the sport of purebred dogs and breeding for type and function. The AKC also advocates for the purebred dog as a family companion, advances canine health and well-being, works to protect the rights of all dog owners and promotes responsible dog ownership.
NOT to be confused with puppy mills that breed AKC breeds purely for profit. Puppy mill dogs can easily end up in shelters because of health issues or just the inability of the owner to provide for the on going care of the dog. I’m not saying all good dog breeders have to be participating in Confirmation, but I don’t really know how to know about the quality of their breeding either, if they have not, or at least the dogs they are breeding have not. .
Participation in Confirmation competition is about showing healthy breeding for type and function. It also socializes the dog with other dogs and breeds. A lot goes into caring for these show dogs, as well as the mama dogs and puppies.
So, It’s important, even if you do not get a dog that has been in Conformation, like our Diva, to know the dog’s lineage is from a responsible breeder who does breed for Conformation. And who guarantees the temperament at time of purchase and will take the dog back
Purchasing from a reliable Conformation breeder helps support the ability to obtain healthy reliable to type and function assistance dogs to match with people who benefit from assistance animals, especially young children who benefit from well tempered ESA/therapy dogs.
I’m willing to bet the cost to society of feral and rescue dogs is at t least as much as the cost of a healthy purebred dog is to breeder and family. Not that rescue dogs are any less deserving of love and good care. Just that the care of healthy dogs also deserves to be appreciated, and is especially important when it comes to placing them as ESA companion animals with children.
