National Purebred Dog Day

What is ‘dog fancy’?
​It is really about dog fanciers who are a group of people with a common interest (dog fancy) in showing dogs.  This group includes professionals, such as judges or handlers, and hobbyists who enjoy their dog and want to compete in conformation or other events showcasing their dog. 

Their interest in their dog takes them to shows, dog clubs, and other dog people. As put in the article “The Story Told by a Button” by National Purebred Dog states,  “As we see it, the fancy is a good example of a group of people who have a common interest that others in the dominating culture around them don’t have or understand.”  

Dog Fanciers include a subculture of people found around the world.  This culture encompasses all details worthy or not about their dog.  In fact, I can attest to a time when the things I willingly and enthusiastically discuss now would have embarrassed me to the point of muteness a few years ago. Breedings, side-by-sides, butt-first puppies, paraphimosis, and more have become common knowledge for me with experience and conversation.   

What does all this have to do with National Purebred Dog Day? 
It is part of the world of people who want to see their purebred breed continue into the future. The Havanese breed may be growing in numbers but that does not mean it is growing in healthy ways. 

It is through genetic diversity tests and more, disease and other breed problems can be solved or improved. Only verifiable testing can be proof for healthy, selective breeding. We test for other anomalies as well.  Some things cannot be tested for because of a variety of reasons like the test doesn’t exist.  Many of our purebred dogs are going to be lost over the next few years or are on an endangered list.  Britain’s Kennel Club is very proactive about looking out for these dwindling breeds or “vulnerable native breeds” they put on a list. 

Purebred means, in part, that a buyer should be getting a healthy dog with an established history and the traits (physically and emotionally) that attracted them to it in the first place.  It is a selective choice the same as going to an animal shelter and getting a pet there.  The pets are loved and cherished from either place.  I am very tired of attempts to guilt buyers about preferring purebred dogs when it is simply a choice that allows the buyer to look at a selective breeding program and all that goes with it and a particular type of dog or puppy.  It is their choice.

Good breeders protect their puppies and future puppies by putting the adults through various tests to achieve the highest possible quality outcome to ensure healthy puppies and provide a well-rounded start in life.  They are somewhat fanatical about their breed and what is best in their programs for superb puppies.  I can honestly say the breeders I know, each believe their program is the best.  

Some of the responsible purebred breeders, known as Preservationists, are trying to protect the heritage, traits, and health of the dogs they love knowing as conscientious breeders, that they are in the minority.  They struggle with rising costs, and with well-funded national groups working very hard to legislate their rights away that will negatively affect an array of consequences for private breeding programs and impact the buyer’s choices.