Sorry if this is long!!! I was out yesterday evening....at the kid's 4-H meeting (dog club). There is a woman there with a husky boy. Since I have a husky, we seem to discuss husky behavior and huskies in general. She was asked to leave the class before by two other parents, as one of the first days, her boy growled at another dog. For the most part, he is well behaved and acts like a typical husky. Other dogs have got in to little snarky events and are still there, including the leader's lab mix, which growls at every dog that comes anywhere near her. But, as this woman said, she was told her dog is "wolf-like", so therefore, dangerous and aggressive. Whatever. She has been working with him and most of the time, stands right there next to her son and the dog to prevent anything from happening. I think he is doing pretty darn good and her son seems eager.

That is neither here nor there....what I want to discuss is what she told me last night, and how I bit my tongue (HARD!) for the most part, I don't want to seem like a know-it-all snob, nor is there any point arguing with, well, stupid. So, in general, I will just move on and let it go....really is it my business??? So, last night she was talking about her dogs, asked me how my baby was doing...and then showed me a pic of her new baby. Cute, little husky girl. I asked where she got....flown in sight unseen from NC. Would I recognized the breeder/kennel....probably not, she said. She was lucky to find her, because she had been looking and looking for quite a while on PuppyFind.com trying to find a breeder that would give her full AKC registration. Tried one more time, and finally found this breeder. I assume to breed this girl to her boy....her boy, she then told me, just had a litter with her girl....YIKES. I didn't get into the details, wonder if this was an oops litter, but her boy is not even a year old. (dont know about the dam, but I have seen her. Poorly bred girl, poorly bred boy). No health testing, obviously. Way outside standard. Then she told me, she knows he is too tall, and his tail doesn't curl. Huh? I said, what do you mean, their tails shouldn't curl...you know, she said, it kind of just goes straight out. My new girl, her tail curls very nice. ?? I watched him gate, and his tail sickles over this back, so I am not sure what she is meaning. What he has is a very strange, very low tail set.

She is considering showing her new girl, because her father was a CH. More power to her~great and good luck to her (I'm serious). But, I find it hard to believe you would find a serious breeder on Puppyfind.com, nor I just cannot imagine a reputable breeder giving this person full rights to a show quality bitch, sight unseen, never met her in person. Hm.....I told her that there is a handling class we go to not far from us, and she should go. What is a handling class, she asked. I told her, and she plans to go, which I think is great.

Anyway, I wish I had ask more questions, to get the full picture. So, in a case like this, those of us who are serious about the breed, who want to improve the breed in whatever breeding we decide to do...showing in the breed ring, performing with the dogs, ect...should I have tried to educate this person a bit, or gently nudge or encourage her to educated herself??? Again, totally none of my business. But, if you don't speak up,things like this will just keep happening in the dog world. I can only assume when she sold her puppies, she handed out full AKC rights to her pups. Again, didn't get very much info, so I am guessing. Feel free to call me a dog snob....I admit, I probably am! And probably I have no right to be, seeing as I am a totally newbie myself.....

Interesting situation. I don't think you're a snob, I think you probably handled it pretty well. I think you did gently nudge her to educate herself by suggesting handling classes. Is her new dog a puppy or an adult? I was a little confused since you said she just had a litter.

Being overly pushy is off putting, so I think you did pretty well on that front. Since bringing Dizzy home, I can't really go out without getting told how to do something. The other day, I was walking him and some guy lectured me about how there are rescues for purebred dogs and that I didn't have to go to a breeder, and so on and so forth. I told him I thoroughly researched my options, including rescues, and decided that based on what I wanted, and what is best for my situation I chose a breeder. Besides, if she just had a litter, then hopefully you have at least 6 months to gently chip away at her and bring her around. Also, you could invite her to the next show you do with Mishka, and start to teach her about the breed standard.

Whew, good. I don't want to be pushy, either. I know what you mean about hearing this and that while out, and I hate it myself. don't want to be one of those people. Great idea in inviting her to our next show.

Sorry for the confusion. She has a boy and girl, and a new puppy. The ones that just had the litter is from the boy I know is just under a year old; not sure how old her girl is that just gave birth. Her new puppy, is about 7-8 weeks old, and that's the one she wants to show.

I agree with Jen that you handled it very well. I also agree that you should invite her to some shows. Nothing beats seeing quality dogs in person and getting some gentle mentoring from others.

Ah, I see now. If she got another girl it sounds like she's planning on breeding more down the line. I bet if you can get her into the show stuff that will change how she thinks about breeding. It definitely did for me, not that I've ever bred or considered breeding, but it changed how I evaluate breeders. Speaking of handling class, we start ours in 3 weeks, I'm excited.

I would prepare for a negative reaction though, as many people don't respond well to dog shows and standards. Unfortunate for you, this is a classic social recipe for a "snob" accusation and the chances of this going well aren't that great.

It's the right thing to do though and if you can convert one more, then all the better.

Good luck

She may have been referring to snap tail when talking about the tail, which means she really doesn't know much about the breed standard. Inviting her to a show would definitely be a good idea!!! That way she could see for herself what the breed standard is and not just hear it from you (and then you wont be lecturing her because its right there in front of her for her to see!) And no, you weren't out of line. How else is she supposed to learn unless someone tells her nicely?

I am prepared -- and you are right. Could be a hot mess! I will just invite her and see what happens

Jen: How exciting!!! Have fun!

I agree with inviting her to a show. Since she is already discussing showing the new puppy, maybe you could use that as a reason to ask her to come. Then she can't really accuse you of being a "Snob." Once she is there she can see how the entire process goes and you can show her exactly "what the judge's are looking for" (i.e. breed standards) and play it off like you are just trying to help. That way you don't look like the bad guy. Just my two cents.

Otherwise I think you handled it very well. Personally I don't care if they think I am a snob about it. I have no problem telling people that I believe that if you are going to get your pup from a breeder you need to do it responsibly. If your not going to do it responsibly then you should get a rescue and save a possibly poorer bread dog that was already born instead of encouraging poor breeding. So I probably would have made her so mad that I couldn't help any further. LOL.

Either way good luck!