What You Would Destroy

Drake, without a doubt the happiest soul on the planet.

Part 3: Drake

Drake is my baby boy. He will be three years old in a few weeks but will forever be just a "kid" of a dog. He celebrates life every single day with an exuberance we could all take a lesson from.

He is not an actual rescue dog in the usual sense of the meaning. Three dear friends sent me a 911 text when I was returning from the training program in Charleston asking me to meet them at their place of work. I went with my usual cynical attitude expecting another street bred dog. My bad, what I met was a dog that could be the reincarnation of two of my most cherished dogs who crossed the Rainbow Bridge with a major piece of my heart and soul.

Bubba was my first show male. He walked into the show ring at six months of age and caused a major intake of breath from the on lookers. His first win was presented by one of the more prominently respected dog men of modern times, Gary Hammond. His personality could be compared to Eeyore of the Winnie the Pooh stories. He was also a stunningly handsome dog and went on the show competitively until he was nine years old. For a conformation dog showing with dogs one to three years old in their prime, this is a testament to Bubba's quality.

Ricky was my second show male. While Bubba was laid back to the point of sleeping on his feet, Ricky was upbeat at all times, loved to participate in activities and never met a person he did not love. He also celebrated the pleasure of simply being alive.

Enter Drake whose "dad" compares him to a shark in the fact that if he quits moving he might die. Drake is also a stunning dog in overall conformation, with an indomitable spirit, in love with life. He can move in a gait I would put up against the top dogs in the country. When I first laid eyes on him I was thunder struck because what I saw was the compilation of two of the finest American Pit Bull Terriers I have been honored to present. Within seconds I knew he would have a home with me forever.

Now here is where the heretic in me must take a stand against outright ignorance in the matter of the stupidity represented by those pushing a mandatory spay/neuter agenda. First of all if these groups got their way and all dogs were sterilized we would have no dogs in a matter of seven to ten years.

There are only two reasons to breed; to preserve or to improve the individual breeds. The responsible owners breeding according to this set in stone philosophy are to be commended. If the legitimate breeders had their way we could almost wipe out genetic illness and orthopedic infirmities because to them breeding a dog without the required health certifications is unthinkable. Speaking as someone who came from the world of purebred Pit Bulls, the first question we ask is "what is your bloodline" and the legitimate fanciers and those promoting an ethical code can tell you all the way back beyond the formal registry records.

Enter those who have no experience in dogs beyond the waste represented by a society which seems to lose more and more regard for the sanctity of life. When I hear the phrase "I hate all breeders" it makes me angry. For one thing, these groups do not actually know any breeders. What they do know are more of the same irresponsible owners causing the breakdown of whatever individual breed they may be pushing. What you do know are the products of the commercial breeders whose only motivation is the buck generated by dogs that may or may not be producing cash crops in substandard facilities. What is so difficult to understand when I say "if you are making money on dogs you are cutting corners somewhere"?

When an OFA, which I consider to be the very minimum certification a dog should have before a planned breeding, costs upwards of $300, add in what it takes to maintain a dog with quality food, vet care and heartworm medications how much money can you realistically expect to make? You do not do it for the money you do it to preserve and improve the breed because you are a truer lover of your chosen breed.

Back to the heretic in me; Drake is still intact. Guess what it takes more than just being unaltered to make puppies. Despite this dog's superior quality he will NEVER be bred, just as I NEVER bred my three previous, pedigreed show dogs. Even if I had papers on Drake I would not have trusted them to be legitimate or to allow for any reliable trail into his background. He is intact for a number of reasons but it is NOT because he is going to sire any more generations. Having an unaltered dog is a huge responsibility. It means the owner must take steps to insure their dog is not adding to the already huge surplus of displaced animal flooding the rescue/shelter network. It means insuring the standards of propagation of the breeds are never compromised.

I have been a fancier of the Pit Bull since 1979 long before a lot of the new age rescuers, animal rights fanatics and haters were even born. I have not bred a litter since 1986 despite having top quality dogs from solid foundation bloodlines. Even when actively competing in the conformation ring with unaltered dogs, I NEVER produced a half breed. As a matter of fact, then entire time I have been a Pit Bull fancier NO half breed has ever come out of my yard. This is a part of being a responsible owner and goes hand in hand with not allowing dogs to run at large.

Part of the argument promoting the mandatory spay/neuter agenda has been that breeders are taking away potential homes from displaced dogs and that they are contributing to the overpopulation issue. No they are not. The responsible, ethical breeders are maintaining control of their bloodlines with the same passion as a parent guards their children. The pet quality dogs are available to those seeking companions but you will not gain one of these dogs without them being altered or without the same contractual agreement you would be expected to accept when attempting to take ownership of a top quality dog.

The rescuers on the other hand are denying the dogs they try to save some of the finest homes available. More than one dedicated breed fancier has been turned down during the adoption process by those who refuse to educate themselves into the world of the pure bred fancier. I pointed out in an archived post from a few years ago the secretary of the Endangered Breed Associate, who without hesitation lent her experience in obedience and animal care to a no-kill shelter in Oklahoma, who formerly produced some of the top quality dogs in this country was turned down for adoption of a dog who would have gone on to compete in agility simply because tunnel vision will not allow the narrow minded, uneducated among us to see the forest for the trees.

Ricky's former co-owner was also such an advocate. She was one of the finest, most dedicated rescuers in the eastern United States. She also produced physically and temperamentally solid dogs which went on to take their places in the top of their breed representation. In short, both of these women did more to promote and protect the American Pit Bull Terrier than ALL of the fanatics who now condemn something they know nothing about.

In the coming months, dog fanciers will be called on to take a stand in the protection of the Pit Bull as a breed. This will require an advocate willing to take a stand for owner responsibility and the promotion of truth over outright lies. If you have followed the previous posts in this series you have seen the degree of insanity the haters are willing to unleash. I do not expect miracles from those who refuse to look outside their limited experience and I know in many cases I am preaching to the choir. If you love dogs and truly wish to protect your right to responsibly own the dog of your choice, educate yourselves. Do not promote something which may sound good on paper but in the long run will lead to the destruction of the human/canine bond.