SolveYourProblem.com Article Series: Dog Care
Dog Care Tips
What
Are Breed Clubs? Should I Join?
Breed clubs are national or regional organizations
dedicated to specific breeds of dogs. They exist as a repository
of knowledge that both the novice and experienced breeder can
access. Even if you aren’t a dog breeder, you can benefit from
the knowledge that a breed club has to offer. If you are in
the market for a particular breed of dog, the members of a
breed club can give you insight into the nature of the dog
and help you decide if that breed is the right one for you
and your family. Investigate the different breed clubs and
if one doesn’t feel right, move on to the next.
What to Expect from a Breed Club
A breed club exists to support both the breed of dog to which
it is dedicated and the club’s members. The members of a breed
club see something special in their chosen breed and want to
preserve those qualities that make it unique. Therefore, these
like minded individuals band together to set a standard for
the breed and to educate and assist other interested dog owners.
They also exist to make sure that further generations of the
breed adhere to the club’s standards.
Breed clubs also serve as a support system for those who want
to show their dogs at national competitions. They can provide
information on handling your own dog at shows or lead you to
a professional handler that can do the job instead. Participating
in dog shows means working with national dog associations,
and the breed club can serve as an advocate for the breed in
these circumstances as well.
In addition to expecting support from a breed club, the member
can also expect that the organization itself will be well-run
and that important decisions will always be made with the health,
welfare and betterment of the breed in mind. Anyone who wants
to join should feel welcome as long as they uphold the ideals
of the breed club.
A good breed club will also facilitate interaction among its
members and hold activities throughout the year where members
can share information about the breed and just enjoy getting
together with others who share their interests. The activities
should include both the members that show their dogs and those
that do not.
What a Breed Club Expects from Its Members
The membership of any breed club has a right to expect certain
things from its individual members. For example, every breed
club has instituted certain ethical standards in regard to
breeding methods and every member must promise to uphold them.
Indeed, membership in the most reputable breed clubs almost
guarantees the potential dog owner that a specific dog breeder
is of the highest quality and that the dog he or she is purchasing
was bred according to club standards. The reputation of the
breed club is on the line, so any breach of these ethical standards
by its membership is taken very seriously. Often, the unethical
breeder will either be suspended or barred from the club completely.
A breed club also expects that when you join them, you agree
with their philosophies and goals concerning the particular
breed and will help them further these ideals by educating
others about the breed’s unique nature and special qualities.
As a member of a breed club, you will always be expected to
act with the best interest of the breed in mind.
Breed Rescue Groups
Just about every breed club is either affiliated with or sponsors
a breed rescue organization. These rescue groups are terrific,
no matter what breed they focus on. When a purebred dog (suspected
or proven) of a particular breed is found in a shelter or on
the street, members of the group work to either return the
dog to its owner or find it a suitable home with new owners
who have experience with and a love for the breed. Rescue groups
also foster dogs whose owners can’t continue to care for them.
The dog remains in a loving atmosphere until a permanent home
is found. So dedicated to the breed are these rescue groups,
that members will drive across the country to ensure that the
dog is placed in an appropriate home. Many of these cross-country
trips are done relay-style, where the dog is transferred from
car to car until he reaches his final destination.
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SolveYourProblem.com : 2007
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