Recent Posts by WeLoveOur7Dogs

Topic: Rescues, Shelters And Adoptions / Mating without a mate

Why not involve yourself in schnauzer rescue and train them to go to nursing homes?  Just a thought - you could still be involved in your breed but in a little more positive way.

Topic: Rescues, Shelters And Adoptions / Mating without a mate

Wow, it just keeps going on and on and on...

Topic: Advice, Training And Tips / how to get my dog to walk next to me

a body harness isnt going to hurt your dog but it DOES encourage him to pull you.  Think about sled dogs, they put harnesses on them TO pull.  It is easier for the dog to pull you along with his whole body instead of just his head.

There are many different approaches to training, some work well for some dogs.  Just like people, all dogs are different and so what works for one, may not work for you.

Find a trainer that can show you their dogs in action.  If you like the way their dog behaves and the way they interact with their dogs, then you may have found someone who can help you.

It is also hard to give good training advice over the internet or phone.  Much easier in person : )

Good Luck

Topic: Events / Great Dane Nationals

The great dane national specialty show happens every year, and they try to rotate which part of the country it's in.  This year it's in the midwest,

Louisville KY,

October 11-18

We are planning on going for the last half of the week for the breed judging.  If anyone else is planning on going let us know!  We would love meet up with more dane people.

7dogs

Topic: Support And Suggestions / "Want a Mate to Breed"

yuck stay away from science diet...

Try natural balance.  Get the blue bag it is formulated for all breeds all life stages, the protein and fat are correct and there is no wheat no corn and no soy.  Of the first 4 ingredients 3 are quality meat sources...

protein really needs to be kept low as great danes grow really fast anyway, they dont really need any help. 

good luck

Topic: Breeds Club / GREAT DANES

 
Clermont County Kennel Club, Inc. (1) (M) (R) (IE)
  Owensville OH, Saturday, September 6, 2008
Clermont County Kennel Club, Inc. (2) (O) (IE)
  Owensville OH, Sunday, September 7, 2008

not sure how far these shows are from you, just noticed that they are in OH.

This is NOT a specialty show though, it is an all breed show with obedience on sunday

Topic: Support And Suggestions / "Want a Mate to Breed"

To be a judge and a good one at that, you HAVE to be judgemental.  I just hope that I can study the standard to the point where I know it inside and out and just keep showing my baby so I can learn as much as possible.  I didnt start out in a dog show family,  I bought a dane and he turned out to be a very genetically poor specimen of the breed, although he had a heart of gold. The people I bought my second purebred dane from were much better breeders (education through experience) and they taught me ALOT about showing and danes in general.  I never did finish Sunny and she died of bloat so I don't have her anymore.  Eine's breeder actually still owns her until she finishes her championship.  We co-own her.

If you want a judge to go over harlee, why not see if one of your 4-h'rs would want to show her, even in juniors, that way she gets a little ring experience.  I am sure your breeder would be of some help too, most breeders LOVE to see their dogs in the show ring.

As far as her walking funny, I couldn't tell you without seeing her. It sounds like genetics, but it could be just the fact that you are feeding her puppy food and she is growing too fast.  Our breeder doesn't reccomend puppy food for danes as the protein is way too high and it causes them to grow way too fast.  That in itself can screw up their joints and bones.

A quality adult food with protein of 24% or less is good.   Maybe have the vet where you work look at her and watch her walk>?  An xray even at her age will tell alot as well.

Good luck,

7dogs

Topic: Breeds Club / GREAT DANES

The Great Dane nationals are coming up, they are in Louisville KY this year.  October 11 - 18

Schedule:

Oct 11 Obedience and rally

Oct 12 Agility and the GDCA board meeting

Oct 13 - 14 Futurity

Oct 15 - 17 Conformation judging

Oct 16 Junior showmanship, breed judging and awards

Please come out and join us to see the best of the best in our breed!

Topic: Support And Suggestions / "Want a Mate to Breed"

Tammy,

I am NOT a monster, but I think my idea of the "doing the right thing" is a little stricter than yours.  You say to trust you that you will do the right thing, but I have learned you can't trust anyone, especially when it comes to dogs, read our blog about Diesel.

I am glad you found my post more sensitive.  Like I said, I am not out to hurt your feelings, quite honestly I am more concerned about Harlee's feelings : )

You talk about these "exams" that you plan on having on her.  I am curious as to what that means.  Who are you planning on having examine her?  Your best bet would be to enter her in a show and see how she measures up to her peers, then you can ask the judge (or maybe other breeders ringside) what they think, although I would trust the judge before anyone else.

I am sorry that you think I am a bit rash.  I know I tend to be coarse when speaking about dogs but I have learned that this is one subject that just CANNOT be sugarcoated.  There is a right way to breed dogs and a wrong way and the line between the two is very narrow.  It can't be almost or sometimes, it has to be 100%.

That is the way I feel because it is the only way to preserve the breed I love.  Hopefully someday I WILL get to judge danes, I am working towards that now.

7dogs

Topic: Support And Suggestions / "Want a Mate to Breed"

Hi Tammy,

I really would like you to re read my post.  I NEVER said you shouldn't have had Harlee, I also said she is a beautiful pet.  I have never insulted her or you and I am sorry you got that out of my post.   What I DID say was that she should have been placed on limited registration, you should have had to show her to earn full registration and prove that your motives are in the right place, the breeder can always overturn limited.  Either that or you should have been mandated by your contract to show her in order to breed her, that is how we prove breeding worth in the world of purebred dogs,

also, I never said anything bad about mutts, we were just talking about danes.  Not sure why the bold print about mixed breed dogs, that wasn't even in our conversation.

Harlee is NOT a freak show but if you breed her and there really were blue puppies (not blue merle but blue like Eine) then she does have a mixed color pedigree and will throw mismarks,  especially if she was the ONLY harl.

Please dont take offense, I can tell by your post that you are furiously trying to defend your position to breed Harlee, and i respect you for trying to make the most educated decision you can, but all I am asking is that you do right by the breed as a whole.  I am very glad that you are waiting the full two years to have her evaluated and hopefully you will change your mind about having a real great dane judge go over her, not your breeder and not you.  Someone who knows great danes like no other.  Someone who is objective. 

You mention you know what colors are acceptable to breed her to, but you still don't get that her pedigree is your number one source of info on what you will produce.  If she has black in her pedigree and you breed her to a black, you will probably have black pups as this is a dominant color. 

I would like very much to be able to discuss this in a reasonable fashion, not in a public forum where everyone else gets stuck reading our posts.  I however do NOT feel like stating the truth (even though it is hard to hear) is insulting you directly, and I am sorry again for hurting your feelings, I just think that you don't want to hear anything other than "breed your beautiful harl, it would be a shame not to"

BTW- when you posted on my page, you cited that you felt Harlee had a right to be a Mom, a right to one litter.  Those were your words not mine.

RESPECTFULLY

7

Topic: Support And Suggestions / "Want a Mate to Breed"

Eine comes from a color pure pedigree and has many champions in her pedigree as well.  She has been shown in four shows and won points in two of them as well as a reserve.  That is 3 out of 4.  Good start don't you think?  I also have a mentor that works with us that has been breeding and showing home bred CHAMPION danes for over 35 years.  How many home bred champions does Harlee's breeder have?  That she has produced and then shown to finishing their championship?  That would be a real good place to start, and I would LOVE to see pictures.  If you want to breed, you have to start with quality.

Also, like I said above, I have not seen Harlee in person and I am NOT a judge, but I have been to enough dog shows, and watched enough danes in the ring to know what is out there for quality.  Why don't you want to show her?  What are you afraid of?  It is really besides the point since her pedigree will ONLY make more mismarks, as it is muddled with mixed colors.  I thought you said you read and understood the Great Dane Club of America's breeder's code of ethics?  It clearly states that color families should be adhered to.  If you go against the code of ethics, what kind of breeder does that make you?

Topic: Rescues, Shelters And Adoptions / RESCUE DEBATE

This is such a good debate, and heated arguments through typing ALWAYS are hard to read (no pun intended) : )

Again, if we all do what we can to save the dogs we can, that's all anyone can do.  Dont take on more than you can handle and keep trying to educate people.

Thanks for doing all you can everyone who rescues. 

Harlee I answered some of your questions in the other forum under want a mate to breed.

Topic: Support And Suggestions / "Want a Mate to Breed"

What is the point of breeding her once to the "right male" (whatever YOUR opinion of the right male is)?  If you are not commited to showing and improving the breed then you ARE a BYB.  The very definition of a BYB is a pet owner who breeds their own dog, someone whos not "into" showing or competing and only wants to breed because they think their dog needs to have one litter, needs to be a mom or they only want "one litter" - personally I have heard it all THOUSANDS of times.  Good breeders are striving to IMPROVE the breed, not just make more puppies.  I still think you don't see this.  When people say, "she has the right to one litter" or "I just want her to be a Mom" those are SELFISH reasons to breed your dog.

You have not said, (AN EXAMPLE NOW--I HAVEN'T SEEN HARLEE) "Harlee Ann has a nice headpiece with sound rear angulation, a nice front and good coat pattern" "Her tail set is too high and her topline is a little off, but we are looking for a male with a good topline and tail set"  "Maybe a male with a little more substance and nice dark eyes."  They also look for a mate that has been evaluated by an experienced judge since the dog show judge has seen more of your breed than you ever will, and they know a good example of a breed from a poor one.  By the way, you do NOT have to crop to show,  read the breed standard...

These are example of what a reputable breeder MIGHT say, the things that they look for are traits to improve the breed, the puppies produced, credentials are only part of it.  MOST PETS should not be bred, even ones who come from champion parents and that option should NOT be left to the pet owner, that is where the limited registration comes into play.  Harlee's breeders shouldve been a little more selective in which dogs they send out into the world with full registration as well as the only people who should get FULL registration are the people who prove themselves and their dogs.

Another thing, although the AKC is the most respected of the registering bodies, it is NOT an indication of quality.  Unless you are in Canada and are referring to the Canadian Kennel Club, the CKC (continental kennel club) is even less notable.  The really important thing here is that NO "PAPERS" are a reason to justify breeding your dog, they are just like the registration papers your car has,  you can register a corvette or a chevette and the papers are the same. A dog with "papers" is only as good as his pedigree.  Another thing, looking at pedigrees you have to know what you are looking at.  And in Danes, it is NOT acceptable to have blues and harls in the same litter, so by breeding Harlee Ann you are ALREADY producing dogs that have a muddled pedigree, whether or not she wants to be a Mom is irrelevant, you have the power to either make more puppies with a muddled pedigree or spay her and enjoy her as a hormone free pet and KNOW that you did the right thing by the BREED, you did the right thing for future great danes.  No REPUTABLE breeder is going to stud to your dog anyway, she has a MIXED COLOR pedigree, this is something that you DO NOT want to pass on again, they will only produce more mismarked puppies for generations to come.

Also, just because a puppy has two champion parents, is NOT a reason to breed your dog.  You have to prove that your dog actually inherited those genes, that there is a champion inside them.  Guess how you do that?  That's right, at a conformation dog show.  Where a judge (NOT someone "like" a judge-who would that be anyway?) goes over your dog and tells you what the faults and strengths are. 

Posting "want a mate to breed" on a PUPPY'S profile for whatever reason makes it seem like you are in a hurry to breed her.  It also, like stated above puts out preconceived notion about your intentions.  You said you did your research but all I hear are selfish reasons, I bet if you asked Harlee she would rather be a healthy pet and live a long life than a Mom anyday...

Topic: Rescues, Shelters And Adoptions / RESCUE DEBATE

harlee ann, i didnt accuse you of anything, i asked some questions and you got defensive.  I understand that.  I am sorry I came across wrong.  I just can't stand to see people make more pet quality danes on purpose when there are already so many out there that need homes.  I know you don't understand that and take offense to it but it's the way it is.

I am sorry that we love the same breed and do NOT see eye to eye on what kind of danes should be bred.  I hope we can still be friends and just agree to disagree.

I don't mean to hurt your feelings.  You have a beautiful pet. 

Topic: Rescues, Shelters And Adoptions / RESCUE DEBATE

Hi Harlee-

Sorry everyone else that I have to respond to this here, as the truth hurts so I was blocked…

I removed this from the other forum and reposted it here as it is more appropriate.

 *NO disrespect meant, this is a heated debate and sometimes feelings can get hurt, that is NOT my intention, just try to learn something*

“btw 7 dogs just to let you know the people with the pet store are friends of mine and they find the free to good home pups @ 5-7 weeks old and get them vaccinated wormed and vet checked and then do checks on the people who adopt them for the fees of the vet VISIT AND VACCINES only AND THE MONEY IS PUT INTO A FUND FOR THE NEXT BATCH OF UNWANTED PUPPIES THAT PEOPLE JUST SEEM TO GIVE AWAY without a care of who has them and if they are healthy I know this because I help them so no not All PET STORES ARE THE SAME THERE IS ONE THAT IS DIFFERENT!”

This store is NOT different as they are still “selling” (for all intensive purposes) puppies to people who wouldn’t know a “good” store (your words not mine) from a bad one.  If your friends hearts are in the right place, they would legitimize their rescue operation by starting up their own rescue or working with an existing one and certainly not “selling” them in the convienent location of their pet store.  Smells like money…BTW, where do they happen upon “5-7 week old puppies” often enough to “sell” them?  I suppose they are then sold on a spay and neuter contract?  To MAKE SURE that the people buying them are not going to think “she has the right to one litter”?

Get real, selling puppies in a store is selling puppies in a store,  it is NOT rescuing them or admirable, if they are your friends, ask them to stop selling puppies in their store, no matter where they come from.

Another BTW- Petland sells mixed breed puppies all the time too, who’s to say they aren’t taking them from the broker (puppy dealer) at 5-7 weeks, vaccinating and worming them and then selling them?

NO PUPPIES should be SOLD in a STORE – EVER…

Topic: Health, Diet And Vets / BLOODY POO

Respectfully, it is ALL STORES.  Locals that have "accidents" selling puppies in a store and that is admirable?  Not to get off topic but honestly, taking a puppy out of a store is NOT rescuing.  It is saving that one particular puppy, but it is TERRIBLE for the thousands more in line for his spot.  Supply and demand.  If you buy the product, they will make more.  NO store sells puppies for any other reason than $$$.  What reason would there be?

Hopefully Bambi, you are just sensitive.  Hopefully your mommy will find something that agrees with your tummy.  Boiling chicken and steamed rice is a great idea, adding a little (keyword little-especially since you're so little) canned pumpkin to it will also help it slow down through your intestines.

Good Luck and we hope you're feeling better soon,

7dogs

Topic: Health, Diet And Vets / BLOODY POO

Well said Tina!  The only thing?  NOT the overwhelming majority of puppy store dogs come from mills, ALL puppy store pups come from mills.  No REPUTABLE breeder would ever sell to a store/broker.  The responsible breeders I know wouldn't be able to sleep at night if they didn't know where their pups were. 

How is it in this day and age people still don't know these things?  How is it that we live in a society that allows living creatures to be treated like toasters or lawnmowers?  Sickening...

Bambi is lucky to have been taken in by someone who obviously cares.  Too bad she is in the minority.

Topic: Support And Suggestions / HOW TO FIND A FRIEND/PAL

Just find profiles of dogs/people that you want to be "pals" with and then send a pal request to them.  I usually bark on their page too, asking to be pals, when I send a pal request.

Topic: General / Cocos secondary breed

Honestly CoCo,

I don't know.  It would seem that maybe it was a dog a little bigger than a Chi?  Probably not a lab though : ) Maybe a Jack Russel?

Whatever your second breed is, you are a handsome little devil!

7dogs

Topic: General / Forums are getting out of control!!

I don't hate anyone.  We have met tons of cool people here and share in their joys and heartaches with them.  I am glad to be here but feel defensive when someone who doesn't even know me publicly smashes my character. I defended myself and then I was done.  I am not a monster nor do I want to waste my MDS time negativly.  Glad it is over.

Topic: Fun / Name what movies man's best friend played in?

My all time favorite Disney movie is:

The ugly Dacshund

It stars a fawn great dane and a bunch of dacshunds.

Our McKenze is going to be in a movie that is being shot over the weekend of 8/02 and 8/03.  It is an independent short film about a man with alzheimers.  We are super excited.

Topic: General / Breeding Dogs for the Right Reasons

Hello Doghoarder (I didn't realize name calling was fair game)

I am jewish and your calling me a nazi is VERY offensive. Which is it anyway?  Am I a gangbanger or a nazi?  Secondly I am a WOMAN -- so much for your stupid crack about my lack of manhood, the only dick around here is YOU. 

Have you even read my profile?  ALL of my dogs are rescued and altered except one -- our "show dog" and she has NEVER had pups.  We have NEVER sold a puppy or bred EVEN ONE LITTER.  YOU are more of a "breeder" than I am.  There are reasons why we don't breed just anything and wait for the right dogs.  I have worked with great dane rescue for the last 8 years and only started showing a couple of years ago. The pups we had at our house were there through the rescue group, we FOSTERED them. I know first hand about the overpopulation problem and don't want to add just anything to the canine population.

When you look at the dogs on our profile is Eine seated higher than the rest?  Does she have some sort of jeweled collar or crown on her head?  Is she ALWAYS front and center in the group shots?  Is there some reason to think that she is somehow valued more than the other dogs?  I don't understand how you can say that I only love dogs that can win something or make me puppies.  MOST of my dogs are couch potatoes and don't do anything other than sit around and enjoy our family, and we have NEVER HAD PUPPIES.  Read Charlotte's profile.  She came from a hoarder.  We fostered her through the great deane rescue that we volunteer for and because she is a hard to place dog due to her history at the hoarder's house, she stays here. FOREVER. She is in all of our family pictures, goes on our family vacations and is treated with no less love or attention than Eine or any of the other dogs.  She didn't have a home so we gave her one. 

"I mean, does anyone ever buy a dog from someone they don't want to see as reputable or responsible?"

Duh?  Everyday.  People do it to "save" that puppy from it's conditions.  Like you said, most people dont spend enough time getting to know a good breeder, so most people wouldn't know one.  People are impatient and buy puppies on impulse EVERYDAY.

"Do you think that we"love"our7dogs would really care about "bettering" Great Danes if there were no profit financially to gain by it?"

How much money do you think that people make breeding dogs?  I am not talking about a puppy farm who mass produces puppies and sells them at Petland.  I am talking about the person who maybe has one litter a year.  Do you think that showing dogs is cheap?  Do you drive a gas powered vehicle? Do you eat out or stay at a hotel?  These things all COST money, not to mention feeding your dogs something other than corn, crappy Ol Yeller dog food.  So all your crap comments about how I would sell puppies and rip people off are ridiculous.  You know nothing.  We are in the hole financially when we are showing.  You know what you win when you win?  A ribbon, a picture and some points.  NO MONEY.  The ONLY thing I care about when I am thinking about breeding a great dane is making healthier puppies.  And by the way, when the judge goes over your dog in the show ring, it IS called an exam.

You call me materialistic.  That's one of the funniest parts of your whole ignorant post.  If only you knew how absolutely far from the truth you are.  My dogs are not possesions.  I love them more than anything.  If I was the selfish "elitist" you say I am Ripley would be dead because of his bad temperment. He is GENETICALLY FAULTED.  He was given to me with FULL REGISTRATION.  Do you know what that means?  It means if I was who YOU SAY I am, I would have pumped out as many "rare" harlequins that I could so I could "rip people off" and make lots of money further RUINING a line of the breed I love.  Yes, thats right RINZOU, I love great danes.  I Love all dogs, but specifically danes tug at my heart.  Like your specific dogs tug at yours. Rip was supposed to be my first show dog.  According to you I should have said, Rip isn't gonna work out in the show ring, better put him down and get a new dog.  Lilly would be dead too, because she got her CD title but cant compete anymore because her hips hurt her, better put her down and get a new dog, one that can compete.  Nigel is dog aggressive, better put him down too.  Gus wouldv'e been dead 8 years ago at the very first seizure instead of two kinds of expensive meds and holistic food for him every day of his life for OVER 8 YEARS.  According to you I would have put him down at the first thought of any kind of burden.  Charlotte, well no one else wants her, better just put her down and forget she ever existed.  My dogs are my life. I have NEVER taken a dog to a shelter.  Did you read that?  NEVER !!! We only go on vacations that they can go on  ALL OF THEM, we only make outings that they can enjoy too.  Our family revolves around the dogs.  You DONT know me. 

"I see you’re going around to profiles and criticizing members for having mixed breeds or not getting your prior approval for breeding. "

I would like very much to see these comments.  Please, enlighten me.  I am not approving people or not approving people for anything other than a pal request and I can be pals with whoever I want.  I have NEVER criticized ANYONE for having a mixed breed dog.  I had one until two months ago when we had to put him down.  I LOVED him and I still MISS HIM.  I DO NOT have anything against mutts.  Why do you think that?  You have said it plenty but where did I say that?  And where have I ever put poor people down>? 

As for your little comparison,

"  I don’t judge a person by his material wealth; I judge them by their character and what’s in their heart. Let me compare my love for dogs to we”love”our7dogs:"

1. I love all my dogs unconditionally, I don't treat them any differnt. They are all equals.

2.I don't even know what to say to that.  You make a reference to my profile containing "proof" that I am only interested in money making or show winning potential.  PLEASE< show me. 

3.I have picked up every stray dog, cat, bird, turtle or rabbit I have ever been able to catch since I was a small girl.  I have had many types of animals my whole life and grew up poor, not in some snobby dog show house.  I continue to pick up strays no matter where I am going or whats on the schedule.  I have picked up strays on my way to work, and I have NEVER taken them to our shelter.  See what you know?  NOTHING.

4.All of my dogs needed homes too.  Even our show dog, we are her third and final home.

"What specifically do you see in my mixed breed dogs that make them unworthy to exist and inferior to yours? "

Again, putting words in my mouth.  Show me where I said anything remotely close to mixed breeds not being worthy of existing or inferior in anyway?  I have never said anything BAD about mutts.

"Ahh, I see you just accused us of interbreeding our dogs on Angela’s page.  None of them were bred, all were rescued – except for the three brothers and one sister pictured there. "

Wait a minute- re-read that bark.  I did NOT accuse anything, unlike you.  I read your profile, about poppy being impregnated by Bolo. So- POPPY WAS BRED. Then 10 months later, on of her pup has pups, bred again.  Isn't that what you wrote?  How is that a rescue?  That is breeding.

"Why are mixed breeds inferior? Why do you “ha ha ha” laugh at “designer” breeds?

I NEVER said this.  I said "ha ha ha" to the TERM designer breeds.  Not the poor dogs themselves.  It isn't the dog's fault that some idiot tried to make a buck.  The term is ridiculous just like teacup chihuahua - a term to sell more puppies.

"Ma’am, didn’t most all breeds begin as designer breeds?"

No, Sir, they DID NOT.  Specific known breeds began through SELECTIVE BREEDING and that is OBVIOUSLY something that you know nothing about.

"I’d still like to know what YOU would do if by accident one of your trophy dogs mated with another breed."

Didn't you take sex-ed in High school?  There is no excuse for "accidents" that is part of being what is called a RESPONSIBLE dog owner.  Not just someone who has dogs.

Just for the record, I don't make up breed standards.  Through your whole post you refer to me as making the standard and approving people.  I do not make the standards but just as you don't want to see mutts disappear, I don't wan't Great Danes to disappear either. That's why there are standards for purebreds. 

"I make no apologies for saving my babies. Especially to you."

And why would you?  I don't understand why you would say that.  I dont expect that you would appologize for rescuing or loving your dogs.  I am not the monster YOU make me out to be.

"The motto is “a place for DOGS”, not proven show dogs. It’s approved by dog LOVERS, not approved by YOU. "

This is really out there.  I don't understand where this level of hostility comes from.  You got daddy issues?  I have a dog that has been in four dog shows. 4 ! You act like you know me - you don't. 

I am not going to waste anymore of my time or energy responding to your ridiculous comments.  People can judge for themselves if they look at the profiles.  I don't think it takes a rocket scientist.  If I have offended any owners of mixed breed dogs out there by saying that your dogs are inferior or should be put down, please bark at me, I need to apologize because I must not have been in my right mind.  I DO NOT FEEL THAT WAY.

Don't waste your time RInzou, I am NOT coming back to this forum, it is a waste of MY time.

7dogs

Topic: General / Breeding Dogs for the Right Reasons

I do pay attention Angela, and your condescending tone isn't flattering.  I saw on DogShouters profile that a husky he was dog sitting for impregnated Poppy - that doesn't sound like rescuing.  Bolo was it?  So then Poppy gives birth to two puppies who then 10 months later (at least one of them) gives birth again.  Think of how many shelter dogs could have had a home with you guys if you weren't busy filling up your house with your own dog's pups?

Not passing judgment here, just pointing out that the kettle really shouldn't call the pot black.  You really aren't that different from a "breeder" when your dogs are breeding in your own backyard.  Just because you aren't selling those pups, that makes you no better, you just fill up space in your house that could have saved a life already here. 

Lnkaye-

Dyes and chalks are not permitted at dog shows.  If a judge touches your dog and there is dye or chalk on their hand you are excused. Nail polish wouldn't even be allowed in the ring.  I would really like to know where you saw nail polish in a dog show ring. Cropping and docking were never done originally for asthetic purposes.  Those procedures served a utilitarian purpose (as not to get ripped off by prey they were hunting) and most people tend to agree to disagree on this subject because there are such heated opinions on both sides of the issue.  Dew claws serve no purpose as the dog does not have control of them to use them, in fact if one gets caught on something, it tears painfully away and has to be surgically removed anyway.  I take it that has never happened to you...

Topic: General / Breeding Dogs for the Right Reasons

Expensive opinion!

I have to say that the good/caring/responsible people who buy their pets from reputable breeders (if they choose to purchase a purebred pup instead of rescuing) are a precious commodity.  I feel that if you can find caring and responsible pet homes you are very lucky.  I placed a litter of purebred danes in new homes through the rescue we work with and it was terribly difficult.  I had one guy call me up because he wanted a dane pup to live in the pasture with his horses.  I had to explain to him that while I wished him luck finding a puppy, he would not be getting one of mine.  That my pups were going to live in warm safe houses. 

I know for a fact that the breeder we got our Eine from would rather see all of her pups placed in secure loving pet homes than winning all the ribbons and CH certificates in the world.  She would rather GIVE them to people who are going to treat them as family members and LOVE them than to make thousands selling pups. She only breeds because she loves this breed so much, she has been doing it for over 30 years.  That's LOVE. 

Topic: Rescues, Shelters And Adoptions / abandoned dogs

I have a rescue dog that we got from a hoarder in Nebraska.  Someone who loved their dogs, just had WAY too many to take care of properly.  Charlotte is a handful.  She is what I call a foster failure.  I say that because she is not really re-homeable and will stay with us for the remainder of her years.  She is very anxious and would like nothing more than for me to stay with her 24/7, if I don't she eats everything in sight, way too many things to try and list. 

I get alot of satisfaction from taking in a dog and rehabing it and then finding it a permanent home.  It really is what keeps me going in the face of having to defend my beliefs and morals to people who will NEVER get it - most of them part of the problem instead of the solution.