I've also thought "Bettering the breed" sounds good until you really think about it.
When/if I breed I won't be thinking "I'm bettering the breed!". I'll be thinking about trying to create some awesome little puppies that will go on to fill the niche they were created for whether that be sport, pet, or work. I don't think I'm making it better or worse.
I mean, breeds change. They were created to fill a need and that need changes as years go by. Some work becomes obsolete for most of the world and other needs emerge. And I'm ok with that. I thin it's sad that it happens and the nostalgic part of me does want them to always stay the same but I think that's naive in the long run. Times change and new voids pop up. Like sport.
So to me it doesn't have anything to do with bettering or worsening the breed. It's just changing with times and breeding what you see as something that is wanted. Doesn't mean people can't still breed for the jobs the dog was created for. Though, it's getting harder and harder since most people don't use their herding dog for day to day life work on the ranch. And to me, herding trials are sport, no more, no less.
When/if I breed I won't be thinking "I'm bettering the breed!". I'll be thinking about trying to create some awesome little puppies that will go on to fill the niche they were created for whether that be sport, pet, or work. I don't think I'm making it better or worse.
I mean, breeds change. They were created to fill a need and that need changes as years go by. Some work becomes obsolete for most of the world and other needs emerge. And I'm ok with that. I thin it's sad that it happens and the nostalgic part of me does want them to always stay the same but I think that's naive in the long run. Times change and new voids pop up. Like sport.
So to me it doesn't have anything to do with bettering or worsening the breed. It's just changing with times and breeding what you see as something that is wanted. Doesn't mean people can't still breed for the jobs the dog was created for. Though, it's getting harder and harder since most people don't use their herding dog for day to day life work on the ranch. And to me, herding trials are sport, no more, no less.
and I didn't want to sound selfish but yea..
And I don't remotely care whether or not my puppies' parents can move sheep, though the breeder I chose does work her dogs on sheep. It is completely non-applicable to my life. I want a structurally sound, health-tested dog with temperament and drive that coincides with what I want/like and who is going to be interested in playing the games that I want to play.
but I still think many of them are producing awesome dogs that do extremely well in homes.
Which in my eyes is more important.