(Untitled)

[xianghua]

This is the scary mandatory spay/neuter legislation we are fighting in Dallas right now. If this passes and goes to surrounding cities as well, it will have a DEVASTATING impact on the German Spitz in the US, as 2 of the 5 active breeders in the US are located here. We do not yet have a breed club at all, let alone one with a COE

Comments

[xianghua]

In my case, I show dogs in obedience, agility and conformation. My two rescues both had major health problems that made this not an option for them. But beyond that, if you want a puppy over an adult and desire predictability, a RESPONSIBLE breeder is the only way to go.

The biggest problem I see with this law, above all other things, is that it isn't going to stop the assholes who run puppy mills- they're commercilaly licensed and not in city limits, for the most parts. (I don't believe there's ever been a mill bust IN Dallas city limits, just a couple hoarding cases- mills are almost always in rural areas). And it's not going to stop the assholes who think a dog is a piece of lawn furniture and can't bother to get it altered or, god forbid, actually treat them like a family member- those folks don't license their pets as it is. The responsible breeders - or owners of intact dogs who show (I have two intact dogs, one iwll not be bred and will be neutered when he finishes his championship; the other is a rare breed (80 dogs in the US) and will be bred if she passes her health testing.) who DO license their dogs, who DO NOT let their dogs run at large, who do NOT contribute to overpopulation (100% lifetime takeback of dogs that lose their homes, screening of owners to prevent irresponsible or impulse buying, proving dogs in competition or by work + health testing, and complying with/far exceeding existing animal laws) are the ones who are going to get hit. These folks generally aren't advertising in the paper or selling puppies via a sign on the corner. They're serious folks devoted to their breeds who generally have significant waiting lists, breed sparingly, and are dedicated to maintaining and improving a breed.

[xianghua]

How many of those people license their dogs as is, though? And why doesn't the city persecute them under current state law- Texas has actually made some advances in state-wide laws about fighting dogs- we got a good one through last fall!

[moonlightgryph]

How many license these dogs? Very, VERY, few. Which is why this "ban" will only serve to punish those who are legitimate. To those who are preserving, and/or bettering their breed. It's rediculous. :/

No one seems to consider, either, the long term effects of these bans. Beyond the breeders: Veterinarians, groomers, pet supply stores, etc. all will suffer. Assuming the legislation passes, and continues to infect other cities, eventually they will squash most dog-ownership. That includes the mostly mixed-breed owners who adopt all their dogs. It's not pretty and, unfortunatly, it's not a ramification most supporters of the bill are even considering.

[moonlightgryph]

And, I realize I'm answering a rhetorical question in the licensing dogs. We're on the same, proverbial, side and please don't take my reply to you as me preaching to the choir. lol I didn't mean it as such.

[xianghua]

I know. This just has me super-worried. I've been 'in' dogs for 10 years- working for rescue, fostering, transporting. I work part time as a trainer, and dogs are my LIFE. I recently purchased a German Spitz puppy who is intended to be my foundation bitch- the first dog I have owned and felt was of sufficient quality to breed. I'm active in the formation of a breed club for this breed here in the US (there are about 80 GS in the US currently; the breed is well-recognized elsewhere in the world; my dog's parents are primarily of English and Australian bloodlines, and I'm looking at importing a puppy from Australia next year.) This is something I'm VERY SERIOUS about doing and doing right.
My dogs do not run loose, EVER, are vaccinated, licensed (admittedly, Mal's license was late to be renewed this year because I was planning to be moved.) I may not be living in the city by this summer, if I buy the house I'm looking at right now. But this law is WRONG and it needs to be fought. It has scary implications that are larger than the kneejerk "We have too many animals" reaction. Because that isn't the problem. The problem is we have too many people who are lousy animal owners.

[moonlightgryph]

Dogs are my life too. I recently withdrew from training due to health issues (just too much to continue grooming AND train.) I absolutly agree with you- we have way too many people who are lousy animal owners. Punishing those who are true, responsible, breeders/owners/etc should not be punished because of the morons. They need to expand animal husbandry awareness. Not pass laws like this.

By the way, very neat choice of dog breed in the German Spitz. They are neat pups! I'd like to see them established here! Keep up the good work! ^^