 Barked: Wed Sep 19, '07 4:29pm PST |
 | |  | | Im glad we can discuss instead of argue.
To me at least it is a problem because haveing a "cute mini version" has caused a sharp increase in BYB and puppy millers. Most aussies in puppy mills are now refered to as "mini's". Why? Because people buy things with cute names and if they always wanted and aussie but not the energy they assume that "minis" would be a good fit for them. A few less inches does NOTHING to curb an aussies energy.
Yes other breeds have split but I do not think that that is the right thing for our breed. They are first and formost working dogs. Dogs that are too big have a hard time working and on the opposite side dogs that are too small can also have a harder time covering the ground needed and turning steers. Shelties were bred so small because they did not have to cover that much ground. Corgis are drovers so they have a totally different job. In order to be the most efficient at its job aussies should fall withint the hight standard BUT we need dogs on both ends (under and over) to maintain the ideal hight overall. SO breeding for diminuitive dogs does nothing to "better the breed" except improve its marketability which should never be the goal of a true breeder in the first place.
Even breeds such a chi's are fighting this sort of stuff because BYB's are breeding tea cups which are also not really supposed to be (let alone the health problems they usually develop.)
All of the dog registries have said that they will no longer accept variations of ANY breed so if the want recognision it has to be as a completely seperate breed. There are so many breeds with different personalities, sizes and needs. Do we really have to create more? To me it is no different than designer breeds...created specifically for the "market". ASCA, AKC, CKC, UKC, and all other main registries have issued statements regarding minis and all of them say they will not recognise size variations.
Dogs fall out of the standard in so many ways. Size is only one of the ways. There are non-recognisable colors, coats,nose patterns, bites, ect....do we need to create variations for all those dogs too? IMO No because they are all just aussies even if they cant show. Dogs that are under 18 and over 23 finish their Ch's all the time in ASCA at least (AKC likes big dogs all over-yuck) so technically they can still show. However if they are found to be registered with MASCA registration with the others will be revoked adn all titles removed because technically you are admitting your dog is not an australian shepherd. If it is an aussie it is just an aussie. If it is not, it is a mix and cant be registered.
Sorry if that got confusing LOL. Do not take any of this personally. You are a beautiful aussie...be proud that you are small and mighty. Just be proud that you are an aussie pure and simple;-) |  |  | |  |
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