GSD PUPPY MILLS - Page 2

Best be careful when wishing that there would be more control over the dogs we are allowed to breed here LOL. Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't Germans allowed to breed as many litters and whichever dogs they want but cannot register with the SV unless they follow their guidelines? Also, the SV has juristiction over the registrations and breeding of German Shepherds only. Right? Maybe the SV should be petitioned to consider withdrawing their support from AKC. Then there would be no cross mingling of imports and American lines (or the progeny could not be registered with either group). The imports could no longer be exhibited in conformation at AKC shows, most don't like that anyway, and any imports needing numbers to enter AKC OB trials, agility, etc. could petition for an ILP number.

This SV may not be perfect, but are you sure we're going the right direction? I'm not. It isn't as easy selling a GSD without papers in Germany as it is here.

I myself would rather have free choice in all aspects of my life including which dogs I breed (or not). Are there other registeries in Germany that register GSD's other than the SV? Maybe some GSD's are sold there with papers issued by a registry other than the SV? As you know we have splinter registeries springing up all the time in the US. Not saying it's the intent of all these groups, but some of them have been established to circumvent the AKC rules and regulations. It is and always will be about honesty and integrity; some have it, some don't and no amount of legislature is ever going to make an honest breeder out of a crook. These guys just find another way to skin the cat.

KEYCAT, the URL you posted for this petition is not valid and I could not find anything regarding German Shepherds or Andrew Hunte on that site. Would you mind checking it out and letting me know so I can sign it and post it to some other dog lists. Thanks.

I just signed the petition. My signature number is 2173

It's working now, KEYCAT. Thanks for posting it.

Let us focus on North America and the breeding practices here. I firmly believe there should be strict requirements before one is allowed to breed, and I believe in a maximum number of litters per year. I have worked at large well known kennels before and I KNOW what goes on. I do not mean any disrespect but you people need to wake up and take notice of what and who you are defending and supporting! If you: -have not personally been to and spent time at the kennel; -have not seen where ALL the dogs are kept; -do not know for sure the amount of staff hired to PROPERLY care for the dogs; -have not seen the amount of daily interaction and individual care (or lack of) that each dog gets EVERY day; -have not seen with your own eyes just how many puppies are churned out from these breeders; (I could go on and on...) then you should not argue and disagree with people who HAVE spent time at these kennels. You should also refrain from defending the breeders. You may think you know what they are like, through emails, phone calls or accomplishments, but that is nothing when compared to actually being in the thick of things day in and day out. It is the dogs that are suffering in the name of fame and money and when anyone tries to speak out against a breeder and kennel they PERSONALLY know, they are attacked and labeled as jealous!

Autobahn, It is just as you say with several large and well known breeders. No one wants to open their eyes, but simply believe through hearsay. Yet when people who have been there post anything that even hints at poor conditions for the many, sometimes 50-80 plus dogs with one or possibly two caretakers, and dogs live in crates most of each and every day, and only a very few are trained and or shown, it is just as abusive as anything we talk about on this board. Yet, yes, people who do NOT know, who have NEVER been to such places go on the attack. It is sad. I know of two such cases myself. When new regulations are promulgated with the goal of providing better conditions for dogs, no one here gives a damn. It cuts into their profit too much. And besides, it is the American way to do whatever the hell one wants to do, regardless of what or who it hurts. The breed and most breeds, and dog ownership in general are headed in a downward spiral in the United States and elsewhere. But no one wants to wake up. Good post and good thing you do not name any kennel or someone would be attacking you for bringing it up. The point is, there ARE people breeding German bloodline GSDs in this and other nearby countries who are no more and no less the puppy mills that are mentioned here, Andrew Hunte's business being one.

Blitzen makes good points. Hit the club where it would do the most damage. Resign or don't renew your membership with the club. Someone on the petition posted this information and I thought I'd list it here. Complain to the board members and here is their email addresses. Birdy... Please write and demand resignation from mr. Hunt and from the 9 board members that voted him in: Bill Pfeiffer Greypines@aol.com and treasurer@gsdca.org Helen Gleason helengleasonus@yahoo.com or hgleason@tampabay.rr.com Dania Karloff dkarloff@aol.com or daniakarloff@aol.com Tom Mesdag vonnassau@wvi.com Nanci Nellis crosstimbr@aol.com Paul Root rivendellp@netzero.com or rivendellp@sbcglobal.net Carmen Battaglia cbattaglia@mindspring.com or CLB@AKC.org Rita Sandell magic4sure@yahoo.com Tish Walker tishw@aol.com or tishwalker5@msn.com

Isn't Helen Gleason with the WDA also? Dawn