PAPERS ARE ONLY AS GOOD AS THE BREEDER
Many people are under the misconception that a dog with "papers" is top
quality. They do not really know what AKC papers are and pet shops along with some
so called "breeders" take unfair advantage of their ignorance.
The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a registry body that issues registration certificates
that we call the "AKC papers." AKC papers list the following
information: Dog's name, breed, color, sex, birth date, his issued AKC registered
number, date of issuance, Sire (father) with his AKC number and date he is listed in the
stud book, Dam (mother) with her AKC number and date she is listed in the stud book, the
breeder's name and owner's name and address. This information neither guarantees the
caliber or quality of the dog, its health, its temperament, nor it's success in the show
ring. To put it bluntly, a dog with "papers" may be no better grade or
character than a dog of similar breed found in the street.
Noted English geneticist, author and writer, Dr. E. Fitch Daglish, says: "In breeding
we can only get in a litter the qualities which are put into it through the parents, so
that it is unreasonable to expect to produce top-class puppies unless care is taken when
arranging a mating that all the qualities we wish to obtain are represented genetically in
one or other of the parents; the ideal being that both the sire and dam shall both possess
as many of the characteristics desired as possible." This immediately
eliminates pet shops. Inasmuch as they purchase their puppies from "puppy
mills," there is no way to ascertain anything about the parents. Puppy mills
are puppies produced in mass for profit, where animals are haphazardly bred. Their
offspring continue to overcrowd the nation's animal shelters, even though they have
"papers".
A pet shop advertised that it buys any and all breed dogs, either with or without
"papers." Further on in the same newspaper the shop advertised that
"all" dogs sold at its establishment come with "AKC papers." I
get first hand from pet shop salespeople that they do not get their dogs from puppy mills,
that all their dogs come from breeders. Even puppy mill owners are still according
to AKC, "breeders" as they are the people who own the sire and dam at the time
of mating. First and foremost always remember, a good reputable breeder would not
sell to a pet shop. They themselves want to know where their puppy is going and
screen the type of home they will get.
The real breeder is a minority, because he studies the animal's background through a
genetic approach. Daglish says, "..a pedigree can tell nothing of value as long
as it remains a mere list of names. It can be of practical significance to a
breeder only if it is studied from the point of view of the genetic information is
affords." In simple English, it takes more than putting two AKC dogs of the
same breed together to mate.
Another point of issue is the mistaken reasoning that because two bitches are litter sisters they must be identical in character, quality and value. The same applies to litter brothers. You can have a litter of 9 or 10 puppies, all with differences. Even in the breeding of show-quality parents, many of the puppies may be "pet quality" and with a lot of luck (and careful planning), there will be "one" top show prospect, or two. Although all of the litter is registered with the American Kennel Club, there are no guarantees.
Naturally the best way to purchase a dog is directly from a well recognized breeder.
Don't be afraid to ask questions, and don't be surprised to answer some. Although
many people who call, want just a "pet", this "pet" will be a part of
your family for hopefully many years to come. Assure your odds of this expectation
by getting the "best quality pet" from a reputable breeder and not just a
"pet with papers".
Recently AKC is now along with their inspections are including DNA testing. We here at Blue Hill are very excited about this as it will hinder less reputable breeders from registering their litters. More information on DNA testing can be found on the AKC web site
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