Dakotah English Setters

Today I found the following post on Facebook.  It embodies and supports an argument that consciencious breeders end up making many times during their hobby:

by Elissa Kaminer O'Sullivan

So, I slept on it... and I still feel the same way... so here it goes...

I have been helping a friend find a puppy. She wants a specific breed, for a specific purpose, with a specific temperament. I have found her several responsible breeders who I think would have puppies that would fit all of her criteria. Then she says to me, "I just want you to know that I am not spending $1,000 on a dog. Not when so many need homes." And you know, if that was the end of what she said, and she wanted help finding a rescue dog, I would have been all about helping her. But she is still not opposed to buying a puppy... just not one for $1000. So, at first, it didn't really register what she said, but as I thought about it, I became more and more offended. Because basically what she said to me was that as a responsible breeder, my dogs are not worth any more than Joe-shmoe's down the block... that all the time, effort, and money that I have put into health testing, temperament testing, training, proving, and selecting my dogs for breeding has no value. I have to say, this really got under my skin. Maybe it's because I have driven my girls as far as CA to breed to the most perfect stud dog that I could find... or that I just spent over $2000 on progesterone tests, and I still don't have a litter to show for it... or maybe it's because I have proven my dog's over and over again, and it just plain pissed me off that someone doesn't see the value in that.

So, what do you get for a $1000 puppy? Proven temperament and trainability... mom, dad, grandma, grandpa, and great grand parents for many generations are trained and temperament tested- and they have been to a million dog shows, earning titles to prove it all. Proven health... mom, dad, grandma, grandpa, and great grand parents for many generations have had their hips, elbows, knees, eyes, heart, & thyroid tested, they are clear of all genetic disease that I can possibly know of. They are to breed standard... which may not mean a lot to you, but it should. It's what keeps a Rottweiler from looking like a Black and Tan Coonhound, or a Bernese Mountain dog. It's what maintains structure and soundness, and what makes a breed a breed. You also get me. You get a knowledgeable breeder and expert in your breed. You can call me day or night, and even on holidays. I am there for you through all your joys and frustrations, sickness and health. I will do anything I need to do to make sure that owning one of my puppies is the most wonderful experience of your life. You have the peace of mind knowing that no matter what ever happens to you, your dog, your best friend, has a safe place to live out the rest of his life.

So what about that $400 puppy out of the paper? You get a puppy with unknown temperament, health, and type. You get nothing else. You can potentially get a dog genetically predisposed to fears and aggression, a dog with debilitating health issues, a dog who will never be able to fulfill the goals that you have set out for him. And if you ever needed to return that dog (life can sometimes throw you a curve ball), that person will not take your 5 or 8 or 10 year old dog back... you will be stuck putting your dog up for adoption, or euthanizing him.

So, who's making money? I have never actually figured it out, but I would guess that I lose about $1,000/puppy. I don't breed dogs to make money. I breed dogs because I love my breed and I believe that there are wonderful people out there who should have the opportunity to own wonderful dogs. The person selling the $400 puppy is making a profit of about $350/puppy. That person breeds purely for profit. Oh, I am sure they love their dogs, and their breed, but not enough to be any benefit to anyone other than themselves.

I guess people don't really understand value. It is not about the price you pay, but what you are getting for that price. And in the end, if what you are getting for $1000 is not worth anything to you, then by all means, the $400 puppy is a much better value.

I have not told anyone who I am talking about. She is my friend, and I would like to keep it that way, so please do not guess or spread rumors. And plese feel free to share if you agree.Share

Ozzy (Wraggerun 'N Dakotah's Ozzy Rules) won Best Puppy at the English Setter Club of Canada's Regional Specialty on August 26, 2011 - his 8 month old birthday!!!!  I got the call from Gail and Linda as they spoke together on the phone - they were so excited...I am so proud of their work with Ozzy and his big win!  He beat at least 15 puppies to get this win.

Last night (June 6, 2011) Skye earned her AKC Canine Good Citizen title!!!  I am very proud of her and the work we did to get her new title.  She passed with flying colors!

It seems like just yesterday that I handed Skye over to Garth to make the trek up to Wraggerun and Gail Manning for Skye to be bred to Ollie (Ch. Five Oakes V for Victory) but those puppies were born on December 26th and now are all in their new homes and enjoying life to the fullest!

We kept Willow (Dakotah's Wynd in the Willows) who will be making her debut at a local match the first ot May.  Willow is attending a puppy kindergarten class and is probably the most rambunctious puppy there - full of piss and vinegar!  She is learning the sit, the down, the stand and some leash training.  She will be attending a handling workshop on April 30.  Her first real show will be at the Supported entry and then the Brandywine Specialties in July.  I can hardly wait as Gail and Linda MacKenzie will be coming down from Toronto to visit for four days and will be bringing Willow's brother Ozzy to show at the specialties.

Meanwhile, I am hearing good reports from brother Jax and sister Sadie.

As of November 30, Skye's brother Token aka Ch. Wyndswept's Encore, is ranked #1 in the country!

Came back from the vet yesterday all excited!  Skye IS going to have puppies!  Her due date will be around Christmas and the puppies will be ready for their new homes around February 20th.  Guess I know where I will be during the holidays - hovering over the whelping box!

We attended the Nita-Nee Kennel Club show 24 of July and had the pleasure of watching Skye's brother, Ch. Wyndswept's Encore aka Token go Best of Breed on Friday at the Supported Entry.  Token was expertly handled by Kellie Fitzgerald.  Token is the #3 English Setter in the country according to the June Issue of the Canine Chronical as of June 30, 2010.  See http://www.caninechronicle.com/Statistics/breed-display.php?cat=109 for the complete listing.  He has made some competitive wins since then and I would not be surprised if he has moved even further up.

I also had the pleasure of meeting the Perry's and going over Ch. Hemlock Lane Flying Colours who went Best of Breed on Saturday at the Brandywine English Setter Club Specialty.  I was very pleased with this dog and expect to see him moving up in the ranks.  He has just entered the show scene in April and is already ranked #11 in the country.  A very honest and gorgeous dog he is!

On Sunday of that weekend, I had the opportunity to introduce Skye to some perspective puppy adoptees, who made the trip from 2 hours away to meet us and Skye and learn about English Setters.  What a nice couple they are!  We at Dakotah hope to award them with a wonderful puppy as soon as we can!

FLASH!!!!!!  Skye's brother moved into First place as of September 30!!!!!!!!!!

Well it's 12:38 AM and I've been mesmerized by editing this web site since this afternoon.  I'm all excited!  Dakotah is finally going Web!  I am not sure if this is the site or not as I am having trouble trying to manage the navigation bars but I hope to get all the dogs on here with pedigrees, show records and pictures.  Right now though, I'm tired and I think I'd better hit the sack.  Nighty night.  Zzzzzzzzzzzz.....