backyard breeders??? - Page 1

http://maxvstephanitz.homestead.com/mvs_breeding.html 

Did Max prefer backyard breeders, and dogs that lived inside our homes rather then in kennels?

"The breeder on a small scale, one who works with 1 or2 bitches, is the most suitable breeder for service dogs becuase he can care for breeding anamils and theri progeny to such an extend that he can produce strong sound animals that can be trained."

I would say a breeder with less animals has more time for the individual and there by knows his animals better.
The animals benifit as well by having more interaction with their owner and the life they require to reach their full potential.
I've got that website on my favorites along with several just like it. 
Quality, not quantity and the time to see it.
And a genuine love for what you have.

Moons.

So why are backyard breeders hissed and boo'ed on this site.

Another quite I find interesting is....

"Whenever the dog is kept in an enclosed kennel . . . he will not only degenerate physically, becoming stiff, sluggish and lazy, but will also become mentally torpid, and lose all his sharpness and vim."

It seems that the Captn believed that his dogs needed to live side by side with their masters....

I don't think he means BYB's. Two Moons is right.
If you go to a kennel that has 5 or so litters at once chances are the breeder doesn't spend that much, if any, quality time with each puppy. Most of the "quality" time is with the mother.  But if you go to a breeder who only has 1 litter on the ground (and the breeder is responsible) the puppies will get more hands on attention 

A BYB is someone who breeds just because they want puppies or are trying to make money and don't really care about where the puppies go and if theres health issues. A Responsible breeder is trying to better the breed and produce healthy,stable dogs.

About your kennel question. You have to remember that the german shepherd is a working breed not a lap dog breed. They need to be able to run and play. You wouldnt like to live your life in a 6x9 jail cell and not be allowed to come out to stretch your legs would you?

I think it's more about quality than quantity.  I don't think that Max would appreciate small breeders that don't work, title or xray their dogs anymore than he would large breeders who don't work or title their dogs.  It's about breeding quality dogs that better the breed.  Not just because you like your bitch and she's a nice dog.  Or because you breed for a specific color, size or trait.  It's about breeding quality dogs that are healthy, sound body, temperament and can work or function like a GSD was intended to do.   

I think he wanted his "dogs" to be working dogs......Perhaps if more breeders worked their dogs at something they would realize most of their dogs shouldn't be bred.   Just because a breeder only has a few litters certainly doesn't mean their dogs are better cared for or more time is spent with them.  I applaud the breeders that breed, raise, train, title or compete at any sport (it doesn't have to be SchH); not just AKC conformation shows with dogs from their own breeding.  Those are the ones we need to support, not the ones who just sell puppies because they can. 

JMO FWIW,

Jim

JJ,

On this site, a BYB is anyone who has only one or two dogs and wants to breed them. Whether they "just want to make money" or are very interested in the sport and are very careful with bloodlines, health and workabiliby."

BYB's or Small breeders (1 or 2 bitches) are often attacked. Yet if it's their own dogs, its OK...you can search it.....

Very well put Jim

SitasMom, I ment to put IMO. BYB and small breeders are 2 diffrent things IMO. Sadly small responsible breeders get attacked and should not be.
To me a small breeder is some one who has accomplished titles with their dog.They've done the research with the blood lines and make sure the dogs are mentally stable and are healthy and OFA'd "Good" or higher. Someone who has "proven" their dog.

A BYB to me is someone who breeds because their dog is the offspring of a good blood line (but is not worked and has no titles) or because their dog is such a wonderful sweet loving dog. A lot of dogs are sweet and loving but should not be bred.

 I don't think so Sitas mom.  At least not what I have read.  BYB has been a title given to those like Jim described. 

I've seen folks here say just as much negativity about huge breeders, with which I happen to agree.  

If someone has only one bitch and one stud, but they are both a great example of the breed,  and these dogs live with inside with them, as well as in their backyard  I'd take a pup from them hands down before I would a huge kennel with fancy advertisements and poor looking dogs. 

Max didn't have a Schutzhund club, and he didn't have x-rays to look at.
He had time and a keen eye for what he was breeding.   The work was real and the dogs had to endure the elements.
What he was trying to achieve has nothing to do with what we see today.
The times were different and so were his methods. 
The dogs were different as well.
I think the real secret was dedication and lifestyle.
So much is different now.

Not that much has changed except the priorities of many so called breeders and the numbers of people breeding dogs.  If Max had x rays back then I'm sure he would have used them, studied them and incorporated them into his breeding program.  There are still many dedicated breeders out there who have high standards and adhere to them, I know several.  I have seen several generations of their dogs work as Police K9's, guide dogs, and world class SchH dogs and it is very impressive. 

What he was trying to achieve can still be seen today, you just have to know where to look.  More importantly, you also need to know what you are looking for.

Jim