In a message dated 10/3/02 3:22:33 PM Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
<< Puppies I bred who have went to puppy daycare or sitters are some of the most outgoing well adjusted Berners! The most loving, well adjusted family who is seeking to add a puppy to their lives can end up disappointed if they are not ready to shoulder the responsibilities raising a puppy entails, ANY breed of puppy. Schedules have to be changed, time set aside for puppy training classes, someone to take the puppy in for vet checks, what do we do for vacation if puppy can't go along? grooming, putting up with dog hair on work & school clothes, finding hair in your food, these are things that have to be carefully discussed BEFORE you place a puppy and about a million more. : ) These things I've discussed have not even touched on the many breed specific considerations. >> Excellent advice and no, nothing elitist about it. To be honest, if we are TRULY interested in educating PPOs, we should be outlining all of the puppy negatives for any breed, not just Berners. When someone mentions they are getting a puppy, of course, we all want to know what kind. How many of you clam up when they say "A lab?" Do you end the conversation there or do you share your advice regardless? Do you tell them how hard a puppy will be and how much it will change your life? Puppyhood is not exclusive to Berrners for goodness sake...rescue is not specific to Berners and neither is puppy mill exploitation. While I love my Berner and will always pay careful attention to the breed, my concerns spread into the entire doggy kingdom....PPO education is for EVERYONE considering a dog/puppy, not just for Berner considerations. If you aren't interested in educating everyone for every breed of dog, I believe that is truly elitist. I like all the things that Mary says regarding purchasing a puppy...and she is right too - I want everyone to enjoy our dogs (obvoiusly, I'm talking about the people who truly want and can care for them) -- Kim and Caesar
