From: sla54@cas.org (Sandra Augustine)
Subject: Re: Black GSDs (Defending Myself AGAIN!)
Organization: Chemical Abstracts Service, Columbus, Ohio
Date: Thu, 10 Sep 1992 18:08:05 GMT

In article <BuDFn7.KoC@news.cso.uiuc.edu> schlumpf@uimrl7.mrl.uiuc.edu (Kay Schlumpf) writes:
>In article <14981@mindlink.bc.ca>, Valaria_Vorlop@mindlink.bc.ca
>(Valaria Vorlop) writes:
>>
>|> I would think twice about getting a dog from this breeder, even
>|> though it
>|> may be hard considering you've already named him and everything. He
>|> has
>|> poor conformation, but they suggest you should use him to make money
>|> as a
>|> stud? If they practice what they preach, they are doing things WRONG.
>|> Have
>|> their dogs been screened for hip dysplasia and other hereditary
>|> problems
>|> common in GSD's?
>
>Okay, folks...I've  had enough folks who are all too happy to believe these
>folks are bad breeders just because they merely mentioned using him as
>stud and he isn't "show quality".  I don't know exactly what his
>disqualification

	I no longer have the original post, but I think the phrase used was
"conformation not right" or something like that. This could imply something
more serious (e.g., unsound structure) than just "not show quality". I think
that a "red flag" was raised in some of our minds because the original post
mentioned that the dog could be bred because he is black and COULD EARN LOTS
OF MONEY.
	From the information you have just given us, it sounds like you're
buying a wonderful puppy. I'm happy for you. But from the original post, it
sounded like the breeder used "making lots of money" as part of a sale pitch.
Also, IMHO, I think the breeder should have told you what's wrong with his
conformation. Some conformation faults (e.g., slightly cow-hocked) have
absolutely no effect on the dog's ability to function as a companion. In fact,
there are many cow-hocked breed champions! However, other conformation faults
(e.g., very poor front assembly) could mean that the dog will not be
structurally sound enough for advanced obedience work as an example. My guess is
that you're getting a super puppy who just isn't the type (e.g. big boned and
lots of angulation) that is winning in the show ring. But I still think that
the breeder should have given you a little bit more information because you are
obviously intelligent enough to follow what they could have told you.
	Please don't be upset with us just because we become concerned when
someone suggests that dogs can be used to "make lots of money". As a golden
retriever breeder and exhibitor, I loose lots of money! But I enjoy my hobby
and love my dogs. I'm assuming that other Rec.pets.dogs readers feel that dogs
should be bred to produce nice companions and to improve the breed - NOT TO
MAKE MONEY.

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Sandra Augustine   | Home of: Remington of North Woods CDX, WC
NORWOOD KENNELS    |          CH Laurell's Golden Gate CDX, WC (Reg. with TDI)
ems: sla54@cas.org |          CH Delmar's Trivial Pursuit CD, WC (Reg. with TDI)
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	       The above opinions are not those of my employer.
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