New BYB in the neighbourhood...

[Spiritus]

My husand works with a man who just moved his family out to our area. One of the reasons for the move was because his wife wanted to breed dogs. So they are just about 15kms from me, and have a litter of Danes on the ground now. The man was telling my husband how 2 out of the 10 pups are sold, and they are only four weeks old...

So, this man and my husband have been chatting about breeding. My husband has told him about our breeding program, about the way we raise the pups, about how puppies have homes before they're born (some of them before their mom is even bred), about showing and health testing and yadda yadda yadda. My husband told him about my upcoming litter and how seven of the yet unborn puppies have homes. Talking about my going down to the States for Nationals, etc., etc., etc. Basically telling the man that there is a right way and a wrong way without actually saying so.

Hubby wants to invite the man and his wife for coffee on the weekend. But he wanted to check with me first to make sure I could be civil and get my point across in a "diplomatic" or "politically correct" manner. I said no at first, but then I thought, if they are truly new to doing this, and if they are having trouble selling their first litter, maybe, just maybe, I can influence them to stop now.... and if they REALLY want to breed, maybe, just maybe, I can introduce the wife to the show world, the "responsible breeder" world.... Maybe, just maybe, I have a shot of stopping more BYB puppies from coming into the world.

So, what do you think? Do I have a hope of doing good, or will I just end up throwing these people out of my house and damaging my husband's relationship with one of the people he has to deal with on a daily basis at work???

[TinyAlbinoDancer]

I think you have an EXCELLENT chance because you actually do things right yourself. If you can share WHY you do things the way you do in an offhand (rather than pointed or negative) manner, I think you really could persuade them. You know things aren't peachy over there with 8 Dane pups, and will get less and less rosy as those pups grow.

I'd really, really encourage you to do whatever it takes to educate them politely (actions speak louder than words, so what you're doing already is enough education). You're in a perfect position to do so, and it's exciting thinking of saving (and changing) some dog's lives because of your efforts. Just remember miracles don't happen overnight, either.

[Jamila]

I say talk to them in a civil manner like your hubby said. If you feel like you might blow your top step out of the room and take some deep breaths. I think it is better that you try to help educate these people than get them on your bad side and have no hope of helping in future endevors. Know what I mean..

[Rivsky]

I agree with the others - I'd try and just offer opinions on different things rather than "telling" them how to do it (I hope that makes sense!!)

Good luck with it and let us know how things go!

[Pondwader]

I think it really is an excellent opportunity to maybe help them see a better way of doing things.
Maybe check out some dane sites too and print off some info, offering it to help, but hoping they see that there is SO much more to raising dogs than putting a couple together.
Show them health issues, certification, explanations of why showing is so important (to ensure what they are producing adheres to the standard from an objective point of view in order to decide what is the best dog to continue a line with etc)
Maybe print off some rescue fact sheets, for all breed, and danes, to show there are plenty of substandard dogs out there who are dying for lack of homes so there is no need to produce more unless they are truly of quality in every way (health, temperment, looks etc)
If it is because they want one just like theirs, or their friends wanted one etc, show them that to do the best they can for their dogs the best way would be to buy another pup from their breeder or refer their friends. It's cheaper to buy another pup from your breeder than it is to breed and raise a litter.
If it is for the love of raising puppies, then suggest they contact a rescue or shelter and they can offer to foster pregnant dogs who come in too late to be spayed etc...

I'm sorry, I don't mean to go on and on, I'm sure you've probably thought of all this anyway, but it can't hurt to have the info available to anyone who comes across this situation....

Good luck, I know whow you feel, I have a hard time biting my tongue and keeping my cool. Sometimes I simply have to stay out of a situation because I get so angry I know I won't handle it in the best way. As much as we want to lash out and vent it only pushes people away and then they never learn. You can catch more flies with honey as the saying goes...

Please let us know how it goes

[Pondwader]

Ok, so maybe all my suggestions are over the top... slow and steady is probably better... but uuuughhhhhh these kinds of people drive me mental!!!

[DogLover8]

I agree with everyone else.

Those poor puppies.

[PawNclaws]

It's worth a shot, and as said befor, if you feel you're getting a little "red", just excuse your self for a moment. These people probably got fooled by their danes breeders and just need a helping hand to steer them in the right direction. When they see how it is supposed to be done and all the hard work that is involved with breeding , maybe they'll give it a 2nd glance and change their minds.