Posted by R on 10/27/2001, 8:38 pm Artificial Distinctions A recent discussion on a Doberman Pinscher related Internet Chat Room Victor Monteleon, 9821 Dunbar Lane, El Cajon, CA 92021
This appeared in the most recent Doberman Column of the AKC Gazette.
said that the show ring is the primary determinant of quality in a
Doberman. I'll buy into that only when some other things, which most of
correspondents seem to have assumed to be true, are in fact true. It
seems they feel that to be a good show dog, good temperment is
"assumed." This is fallacious. I've known show dogs - some of them
quie high in top-20 standings - that were anything but true Dobermans.
I've known show dogs that were both hyperactive and impossible to live
with in any normal home. I've known show dogs that were not "energetic,
watchful, alert, determined, fearless, loyal, and obedient, with no
trace of shyness or viciousness," which is what our standard calls for.
I've known show dogs that had no useful working drives, but who would
bait for liver forever, and were outgoing and friendly to everyone (a
good disposition for showing, but not a Dobe temperment). The breed
ring is not and never has been a venue to thoroughly assess proper
Doberman temperment. Now, let's assume that the temperment is there.
What about health? Is it really a priority, or do we get so wrapped up
in chasing success in the breed ring that it takes secondary status?
Consider this: I contacted a well-known breeder and stud owner to
inquire about the use of the dog. I asked for the dog's shortening
franction (SF), as it still is the single-best indicator of active
dilated cardiomyopathy in our breed. I recognize that a good SF doesn't
guarantee that the dog won't develop cardio in the future, but it
indicates a clear heart at the time of the echocardiogram, and, more
importantly, the breeding. If I'm willing to get that info on all my
b###hes, why shouldn't I ask it of the sire as well? I was informed by
the breeder that I was the first person to ever have asked for such
information - and the male had been bred more than 30 time sto very
well-known b###hes. The owner of the sire didn't ask for these b###hes'
health stats, and vice versa. Why not? Others advertise sires as
cardiac-clear by auscultation, which means that the dog's heart was
listened to by stethoscope. What gives here? We raise money on the
Internet lists to support Mike O'Grady's research at the University of
Guelph in Ontario. The health of the dog is important to the potential
owner, regardless of whether they are buying a show-quality or a
pet-quality dog. People deserve an opportunity to live with a healthy
animal, whatever they choose to do with it. Buyers should only purchase
dogs from breeders who have all their animals undergo appropriate health
tests (vWD, echo or Holter EKG, OFA, CERF, etc.). I've said it before,
and I'll repeat it: Beauty is the icing on the cake. There must be a
cake beneath that icing. It is a laudable goal to produce beautiful
dogs. But best is more than beautiful. Best is beautiful, healthy and
able to work. Best is a Dobe who could have joined Col. Putney's Devil
Dogs on Guadalcanal and saved countless human lives. Show vs. pet is a
non-distinction. It's show vs. non-who (or beautiful versus
ordinary-looking), working ability vs. non-working, and healthy vs.
"iffy" health. To me, the term pet signifies a loved, family
companion. Not a dog "not good enough to show," or a dog "not good
enough to work."
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