chris nanney
New member
I know you all want Josh to win, but what if he does?
Lot's of exposure and inquiries sure to follow.
Lot's of exposure and inquiries sure to follow.
Westminster - double edged sword
- Thread starter chris nanney
- Start date
Agreed, Chris. I think it would be great to see Josh win BIS tonight, but on the other hand the publicity for the breed will probably lead to an increase in back yard breeders and puppy mills trying to make a quick buck on the latest breed fad.
Then in six months, the rescues and shelters will be filled with dogs from owners who didn't realize the dog would get THAT big!
Then in six months, the rescues and shelters will be filled with dogs from owners who didn't realize the dog would get THAT big!
kzdz
New member
That's true, but I think that most of the people watching Westminster are generally more educated about dogs than those who go see a movie and say, "gee, that's a pretty dog, I should get one of those." This is a generalization, of course, and not true in all cases.
Also, I did notice last night when I was watching that the announcers discussed doing research and making sure a particular breed will fit your lifestyle. I don't remember that coming up in the storyline of "101 Dalmations."
Kelli
P.S. And maybe the publicity will get people to stop asking me about my "funny-colored" St. Bernards!
Also, I did notice last night when I was watching that the announcers discussed doing research and making sure a particular breed will fit your lifestyle. I don't remember that coming up in the storyline of "101 Dalmations."
Kelli
P.S. And maybe the publicity will get people to stop asking me about my "funny-colored" St. Bernards!
Ivoryudx
New member
ABSOLUTELY! THAT is the problem with such a win being so public!
I pray that Newfs DO NOT become as popular as Saints. There are so many Saints in rescue there are not enough homes.
It would be nice to see part of the money that each winner wins at Westminster to go towards Rescue of their particular breed, as well as part of the money spent on advertising to get to that level. I would never want to take away from such a huge accomplishment, but responsibilities should accompany it.
JMO,
Susan
I pray that Newfs DO NOT become as popular as Saints. There are so many Saints in rescue there are not enough homes.
It would be nice to see part of the money that each winner wins at Westminster to go towards Rescue of their particular breed, as well as part of the money spent on advertising to get to that level. I would never want to take away from such a huge accomplishment, but responsibilities should accompany it.
JMO,
Susan
roisinbutler
New member
Theres always a downside....you are right, it IS a double edged sword. and speaking as a guardian of a puppymill dog, i can personally attest to the disadvantages he was given by the bleeping jerks who "bred" him. I sincerley hope that when Josh wins tonight, there will be a doubling in the efforts to educate the public on the horrors of puppy mills and the responsibility of adopting an animal companion as there should be every year no matter which breed wins. Does anyone remember those PSA's from the eighties of the dog chained outside to a dog house crying while his owners were whoping it up inside? It was about what too often happens when cute puppies get too big. It ran when i was a kid and it would give me shivers everytime i saw it. They should bring that commercial out of retirement.
[ 02-10-2004, 01:00 PM: Message edited by: Roisin Butler ]
[ 02-10-2004, 01:00 PM: Message edited by: Roisin Butler ]
Elizabeth
New member
Sure, it can be a double edged sword.
That's why I print out the puppy brochures from the NCA website and take them to Petsmart to hand them out. I also take my purebred fact sheet.
I just might call the paper and ask if they're doing a story on Westminster, I could help somehow. Couple weeks ago someone was advertising newfs in the paper, (not common around here)
So I put an ad in the paper that ran for 10 days simply saying Newfs weren't right for everyone, to research before you buy, and gave the addy for the NCA website.
Everyone should do something. Even if it's just educating the people that see you on the street and want to know about Newfs.
E
That's why I print out the puppy brochures from the NCA website and take them to Petsmart to hand them out. I also take my purebred fact sheet.
I just might call the paper and ask if they're doing a story on Westminster, I could help somehow. Couple weeks ago someone was advertising newfs in the paper, (not common around here)
So I put an ad in the paper that ran for 10 days simply saying Newfs weren't right for everyone, to research before you buy, and gave the addy for the NCA website.
Everyone should do something. Even if it's just educating the people that see you on the street and want to know about Newfs.
E
roisinbutler
New member
How right you are, great idea putting the ad in the newspaper!
tonkatruck
Active member
I completely agree and it does make you a bit melancholy that an event like Westminster does bring about a double edged sword. But in all fairness it could happen with ANY breed. ex: 101 dalmatians and everyone ran out and got one not knowing and not doing any homework about the breed. The good thing is watching westminster even the announcer states "you should not just go out and get one of these breeds without doing your homework about them."
roisinbutler
New member
I was just talking with my husband about this and he said they mentioned last night that after the Ibizan Hound won, sales went up 80%!!!! They also stressed the responsibility of researching breeds rather than basing a choice on a contest. I totally missed that.
macgirl13ca
New member
OK, flameproof vest on here LONG POST . . . Bubba came from a backyard breeder. Yes, an ad from a newspaper. No kennnel name, I chose his full registered name, I microchipped him, I sent in his registration papers, got his bloodlines from the CKC, and paid for it all . . . etc.
I originally wanted a Mastiff, Joe wanted a dog with longer hair, we 'settled' (running and ducking) on looking at Newfs. I researched the breed, knew what I was getting into, Joe saw the newspaper ad, we went 'just to look', I swore we would not buy from a BYB. We saw the pups, Bubba at 8 weeks came over licked me and peed on my foot I fell in love and you know the rest of the story. He aquired a bad case of Demodex Mange which the 'breeder' was of no help with. But we took care of that and he's fine. Show quality? Well we went to the Canadian Nationionals here in Vineland, ON and a handler actually came up, told me Bubba's 'gramma'? was CH and asked if I might let her handle him because of his type. But he's 'altered' Will I have another Newf? YES (AT LEAST ONE). Will I buy from a BYB newspaper ad? NO! Will I rescue or go to a reputable breeder? YES. Please don't get me wrong, I do not agree with puppy mills or BYB in any way shape or form, BUT aalthough the publicity can be bad in that way, some people who would not have gotten a Newf, but make great Newf owners will also come of this. (I consider myself one and constantly tell anyone who asks the pros AND CONS of owning a Newf) OK, descending from my soapbox now
I originally wanted a Mastiff, Joe wanted a dog with longer hair, we 'settled' (running and ducking) on looking at Newfs. I researched the breed, knew what I was getting into, Joe saw the newspaper ad, we went 'just to look', I swore we would not buy from a BYB. We saw the pups, Bubba at 8 weeks came over licked me and peed on my foot I fell in love and you know the rest of the story. He aquired a bad case of Demodex Mange which the 'breeder' was of no help with. But we took care of that and he's fine. Show quality? Well we went to the Canadian Nationionals here in Vineland, ON and a handler actually came up, told me Bubba's 'gramma'? was CH and asked if I might let her handle him because of his type. But he's 'altered' Will I have another Newf? YES (AT LEAST ONE). Will I buy from a BYB newspaper ad? NO! Will I rescue or go to a reputable breeder? YES. Please don't get me wrong, I do not agree with puppy mills or BYB in any way shape or form, BUT aalthough the publicity can be bad in that way, some people who would not have gotten a Newf, but make great Newf owners will also come of this. (I consider myself one and constantly tell anyone who asks the pros AND CONS of owning a Newf) OK, descending from my soapbox now
Several people have brought up the example of an 80% rise in Iziban Hound sales after "Bunny" won group last year. However, statistics can be misleading. The Iziban Hound is one of the rarest breeds among AKC breeds. It wouldn't take very many extra litters to see an 80% rise. We won't see that happen in Newfs.
What happened in Dalmations a decade ago was terrible, and the breed has suffered tremendously in recent years with health problems. While we must remain vigilant about responsible breeding and careful placement of Newfs, Josh's win is not the same as the 101 Dalmations movie and other fads.
I still say that we should be proud that a Newf has been recognized at this level in the dog world! Congratulations to Josh as well as the Darbydale and Pouch Cove kennels and those associated.
Phil
What happened in Dalmations a decade ago was terrible, and the breed has suffered tremendously in recent years with health problems. While we must remain vigilant about responsible breeding and careful placement of Newfs, Josh's win is not the same as the 101 Dalmations movie and other fads.
I still say that we should be proud that a Newf has been recognized at this level in the dog world! Congratulations to Josh as well as the Darbydale and Pouch Cove kennels and those associated.
Phil
