Ausshole Academy

 PET PEEVE

The AKC dog show.  While its a grand thing to watch, and the people who participate spend large amounts of money to do so, it sends false messages out to the people watching.  The dogs that participate are bred for a certain standard and are well trained in conformation work.  They are also bred for a certain look.  Not all dogs can live up to the AKC standards.

For example, the Australian Shepherd has taken the title in the herding class.  People watching are going that is a beautiful dog, look how calm he is, look how well mannered he is.  Then the next thing you know, they are saying I want one.  They do not research the breed, they do not take the time to understand the breed, they rush right out and buy one, and six months later they are saying, hey this isn't the dog I signed up for, and that dog ends up abandoned or put into a shelter or a rescue.  

Do the research to develop an understanding of the breed.  Learn what the breed entails, learn what the breed needs to thrive.  Do not just go out and buy.  Aussies, or any other herding breed are not for couch potatoes.  Spend the time reading up on the breed you are wanting to purchase, the time will be well spent, if it saves a dog from ending up in a shelter, or abandoned, or even abused.

A good breeder of any breed, will take the time to help you understand.  They will explain the quirks of the breed.  They will spend the time to help you make a honest and worthwhile decision.  A good breeder is concerned with where their pups end up and if that pup will thrive.  They will also take the pup back for any reason, or will help to rehome the pup.

  There are alot of breeders out there who are only in it for the money.  These are the breeders who will sell a pup without a thought as to who they are selling.  These are the breeders who don't do health tests and genetic tests on their dogs before breeding.  These are the breeders who breed merle to merle, producing pups with a chance of deafness or blindness.  These are the breeders whose pups after being sold, end up in shelters.  

Another pet peeve of just the last year.  Covid Lockdown puppies.  A lot of people, starting working from home, they got bored.  Went out and bought a puppy to keep them occupied.  Now with the lock downs over, people going back to the work place, these puppies are being rehomed.  I don't have the time needed for the dog anymore.  Its not fair to the dog to be locked up in the house while Im at work now, all matters of excuses to rehome a dog they didn't need in the first place.  You don't rehome your child, the only difference here is sometimes a child is not planned, where as you knew what you were doing when you BOUGHT a puppy.  

Spontaneous actions do result in responsibility.  Take the time, think before you run out and buy a puppy.  Think in long range,  are you going to be able to take care of this dog in six months.  In six months this puppy isnt going to be a little ball of fur any longer, its going to be grown, and need more than just love and play.  

DO THE RESEARCH before buying any animal.  Take the time, it is well worth a few minutes of your day to understand the breed the you saw on the AKC dog show.  IT DOES SAVE LIVES.