Yesterday was just a really crappy day. I feel like I need to vent and also ask for some advice.
I was on the phone with my younger sister yesterday. She's about 19 years old and lives in California. Anyways, we started off talking about dog training because I'm looking into that as a career. Somehow we got into the discussion about this toller I'm planning on getting and AKC agility. Well that turned into her talking about how she doesn't agree with AKC creating standards for breeds. Basically she feels that a dog in a confirmation show is unfair because if a dog doesn't quite fit the standard then he has no chance of really winning. She feels that is discrimination against that dog. I disagree with her opinons on showing. I tried to explain to her that the dog can still do so many other things like agility and flyball for instance. However, she completely disagrees with AKC and the fact that they have standards for breeds.
Then she got into the whole breeding discussion with me. Her opinion was that all breeders do is contribute to the many unwanted dogs in the world. I can understand where she would come to that assumption, however; I think it's more of the byb breeders and puppy mills that are the big problem. Most real respectable breeders aren't going to overbreed their dogs and breed with the intentions of improving the breed and the health of the breed. They're not just breeding to make a quick buck. Plus, a respectable breeder will screen every potential buyer and usually they'll have in the contract that if the dog doesn't work out in the buyer's home then they are to be returned to the breeder.
Anyways... her opinion is that all breeders should simply stop breeding altogether until we find homes for all shelter dogs. That doesn't even sound in the slightest bit realistic IMO. Now, I'm getting a toller. Anyone who knows anything about tollers knows they're a relatively rare breed. I've looked into rescues and very RARELY will you find one in need of a home. Even then there's a super long waiting list at the toller breed rescues. I'm planning on doing AKC agility and hunt tests with this dog. I'm completely set on this breed. Why? Because I've researched tons of breeds and put myself in situations to spend time with different breeds and ultimately made the decision that a Toller would be the perfect dog for me. I explained to her that it's a rare breed and that if you want one you pretty much have to go through a breeder. She said, "Well why do you HAVE to have a toller? Why can't you just get another dog from a shelter?" When I mentioned that I need an AKC registered dog if I'm planning on competing in AKC agility. Then she goes into the whole, "Well why do you need to do AKC agility?" ummm... because I want to???
Anyways... I completely support rescues. I've had many rescue dogs and cats. I found Goober in a dumpster barely alive and I nursed him back to health. I've helped out in shelters. I donated my last car to an animal rescue. I try and help out wherever I can. Does she see that? No. All she sees is that I'm investing in a purebred dog from a breeder and in her words, "When you purchase from a breeder you are enabling them to bring more puppies into the world and therefore condemning all these shelter dogs to be euthanized." So what do I say to her?
One of her best friends and roommate has a horse that she paid I think about $30,000 for. He's no doubt from champion lines. He's worth more now I think and she does eventing with him. She's so quick to jump down my throat, but she completely supports her friend and goes to all her shows and sees nothing wrong with her having invested in this horse. Now there are so many horses going to slaughter houses, or in horse rescues needing homes and PMU mares and foals in need of homes. How is that any different really? Now I'm not against her friend having this horse, but I don't understand why she thinks that's really any different.
Now what is she going to say when I decide I'm ready to have a baby? I know she really wants kids of her own. So if I decide to bring a baby into this world... how many kids are there in orphanages that need homes? Now... I know that comparing human kids to animals is kinda different... but is it really all THAT different? I'm just trying to make valid points to get her to understand that she can't see one and be blind to the other when they're both on the same page.
I don't see anything wrong with someone wanting to have their own child. I don't see anything wrong with someone wanting a horse from good lines, especially if they're planning on showing. I don't see anything wrong with someone wanting a purebred dog either. Sure there are kids, horses and dogs out there in need of homes. I don't think that we should only ever invest in purebreds and turn our eyes completely away from those in need. We can still find our ways to contribute and help out. However, she sees only that because I want to get a toller from a breeder that I am a "dog killer." I'm a SERIOUS animal lover so that hurts WAY worse then someone calling me a Bitch or a Cunt, or an "insert choice word here".
So... what can I say to her to better understand AKC and the breeding world, etc etc? How can I help her understand why I'm investing in this dog??? I'm just really out of sorts about it all and having a really bad day.
I was on the phone with my younger sister yesterday. She's about 19 years old and lives in California. Anyways, we started off talking about dog training because I'm looking into that as a career. Somehow we got into the discussion about this toller I'm planning on getting and AKC agility. Well that turned into her talking about how she doesn't agree with AKC creating standards for breeds. Basically she feels that a dog in a confirmation show is unfair because if a dog doesn't quite fit the standard then he has no chance of really winning. She feels that is discrimination against that dog. I disagree with her opinons on showing. I tried to explain to her that the dog can still do so many other things like agility and flyball for instance. However, she completely disagrees with AKC and the fact that they have standards for breeds.
Then she got into the whole breeding discussion with me. Her opinion was that all breeders do is contribute to the many unwanted dogs in the world. I can understand where she would come to that assumption, however; I think it's more of the byb breeders and puppy mills that are the big problem. Most real respectable breeders aren't going to overbreed their dogs and breed with the intentions of improving the breed and the health of the breed. They're not just breeding to make a quick buck. Plus, a respectable breeder will screen every potential buyer and usually they'll have in the contract that if the dog doesn't work out in the buyer's home then they are to be returned to the breeder.
Anyways... her opinion is that all breeders should simply stop breeding altogether until we find homes for all shelter dogs. That doesn't even sound in the slightest bit realistic IMO. Now, I'm getting a toller. Anyone who knows anything about tollers knows they're a relatively rare breed. I've looked into rescues and very RARELY will you find one in need of a home. Even then there's a super long waiting list at the toller breed rescues. I'm planning on doing AKC agility and hunt tests with this dog. I'm completely set on this breed. Why? Because I've researched tons of breeds and put myself in situations to spend time with different breeds and ultimately made the decision that a Toller would be the perfect dog for me. I explained to her that it's a rare breed and that if you want one you pretty much have to go through a breeder. She said, "Well why do you HAVE to have a toller? Why can't you just get another dog from a shelter?" When I mentioned that I need an AKC registered dog if I'm planning on competing in AKC agility. Then she goes into the whole, "Well why do you need to do AKC agility?" ummm... because I want to???
Anyways... I completely support rescues. I've had many rescue dogs and cats. I found Goober in a dumpster barely alive and I nursed him back to health. I've helped out in shelters. I donated my last car to an animal rescue. I try and help out wherever I can. Does she see that? No. All she sees is that I'm investing in a purebred dog from a breeder and in her words, "When you purchase from a breeder you are enabling them to bring more puppies into the world and therefore condemning all these shelter dogs to be euthanized." So what do I say to her?
One of her best friends and roommate has a horse that she paid I think about $30,000 for. He's no doubt from champion lines. He's worth more now I think and she does eventing with him. She's so quick to jump down my throat, but she completely supports her friend and goes to all her shows and sees nothing wrong with her having invested in this horse. Now there are so many horses going to slaughter houses, or in horse rescues needing homes and PMU mares and foals in need of homes. How is that any different really? Now I'm not against her friend having this horse, but I don't understand why she thinks that's really any different.
Now what is she going to say when I decide I'm ready to have a baby? I know she really wants kids of her own. So if I decide to bring a baby into this world... how many kids are there in orphanages that need homes? Now... I know that comparing human kids to animals is kinda different... but is it really all THAT different? I'm just trying to make valid points to get her to understand that she can't see one and be blind to the other when they're both on the same page.
I don't see anything wrong with someone wanting to have their own child. I don't see anything wrong with someone wanting a horse from good lines, especially if they're planning on showing. I don't see anything wrong with someone wanting a purebred dog either. Sure there are kids, horses and dogs out there in need of homes. I don't think that we should only ever invest in purebreds and turn our eyes completely away from those in need. We can still find our ways to contribute and help out. However, she sees only that because I want to get a toller from a breeder that I am a "dog killer." I'm a SERIOUS animal lover so that hurts WAY worse then someone calling me a Bitch or a Cunt, or an "insert choice word here".
So... what can I say to her to better understand AKC and the breeding world, etc etc? How can I help her understand why I'm investing in this dog??? I'm just really out of sorts about it all and having a really bad day.