Pit Bull Informational Pages
by Diane Jessup 

"Cliques are built up around all breeds which are interested not in the usefulness of the breeds but in the appearance. They gradually make their idea of beauty the goal and forget usefulness. In fact, they do the most absurd things. They breed dogs more and more unnatural until they have developed monstrosities and then they glorify them. They develop characteristics in dogs which are decidedly inimical to the good of the dogs, all to satisfy a very ill-considered and foolish idea."

Leon F. Whitney, DVM
How To Breed Dogs

Are those who take dog breeding seriously "snobs"? You'll hear that, commonly, from those who peddle pups and dogs. Why do serious breeders come across as "snobs"?

Because they care passionately about their chosen breed, its history, its present, its future. They care about who owns the breed. They care about how they will pass the breed on to the next generation. They are about how their breed is portrayed in the media.

They don't just put two dogs together and sell the pups in the local newspaper. That's a "backyard breeder" - and the ruination of many breeds.

The breed is all - not the money or show ring wins. And so they ask questions, do home checks, refuse sells. They are not snobs - they are serious breeders.

• Beware of" breeders" who are new to the breed.
  "Novices often make the mistake of limiting their attention to current events within their breed." Dog Breeding As A Fine Art
• "Whenever a breed becomes popular, there is an influx of novices not only ignorant of what constitues a good specimen but much more lacking in any knowledge of animal breeding." Planned Breeding
• "To many novice breeders, the idea of a 'bloodline' means nothing more than a clever kennel prefix or a popular stud dog. But merely giving it a name will not transform a jumbled family of dogs into a useful genetic contribution." Dog Breeding As A Fine Art
• "Selective breeding is a long-term project, far beyond the scope of one dog, or one litter of puppies." Dog Breeding As A Fine Art
  
  
• Beware of "breeders" who do no health testing - run away from breeders who assure you their dogs "don't need to be health tested".
• There is NO breed or strain which does not need to be health tested. There is NO excuse. A serious breeder does extensive health checks - period.
  
  
• Beware of "breeders" who try to explain why breeding away from the standard is "better".
• "A good grasp of your standard's intent will simplify many breeding decisions, and will keep you grounded when fads of type sweep through your breed. " Dog Breeding As A Fine Art
• "...nor is there a place in any breed for more than one genuine type. It is either converging toward the correct, or deviating away from it." Dog Breeding As A Fine Art
  
  
• Beware of "breeders" who tells you that reputable breeders are "jealous" of them.
• This defensive attitude should be a very strong warning.
  
  
• Beware of "breeders" who charge ridiculous amounts for their dogs because they are from a "famous" line.
• "As a general rule, once a family (of dogs) has become famous and fashionable, all the offspring, irrespective of quality are used for breeding and selection practically ceases. Under such conditions, the family naturally and rapidly deteriorates, because constant and careful selection is just as necessary to preserve or augment improved qualities as it is to originate them." The Principles of Dog Breeding.