AKC Gazette Articles

July 1969

SALUKIS July 1969


The cheap-dealer, puppy-mill element in dog breeding, has a way of pointing an accusing finger at itself, more often than not. It is quickly recognized by those in the know, but not always by the naive, at first. Now, with Salukis peddled indiscriminately to such as the Japanese mills and second-rate pet stores, or farmed out to all and sundry on a miscellany of breeding deals, those responsible so very plainy label their own stock as needing that level of disposal, to get rid of it. It is particularly sad to report the appearance of Saluki puppies in N.Y. pet stores under what those of use who respect the breed consider tragic circumstances. One was purchased in order to rescue it, and taken directly to a veterinarian who was appalled at its condition. IF he can save its life, he may have to amputate its badly infected leg which had been broken and left untreated. The ASPCA was notified. Another, which they had refused to ring up from the basement to show, was later sold to a laboratory, it was told. The supplying "kennels" are from Iowa and California.

Some time ago Betty Doody wrote an article in the American Dachshund, in which she outlined a breeder's responsibility. Some excerpts therefrom are apropos, but we prefer to call those that she describes, as dealers, "fanciers", to differentiate them the more from the out-and-out dealers, above. She writes:
"The breeder’s responsibility and how he accepts it is connected with his purpose: is it economical, sentimental, a desire to win, or a hope to combine these in his program? Whatever his motivation, he is not worthy of the title, breeder (fancier), unless he accepts certain responsibilities to his breed.

"Litters should be planned . . . It is doubtful if 'breeder' should be applied to mass pr6ducers of puppies ' for quick sale only. They accept little responsibility to the breed and 'caveat emptor' is usually the rule for dealing, with them. Their downgrading must be combatted with education of buyer and fortitude in holding the line.

"After a litter is produced, the breeder has a responsibility in disposal of the puppies. They should be priced reliably, on the basis of their real prospects. They should be described truthfully, orally and in advertising, by someone who knows what a show or breeding prospect is. They should be healthy and free from exposure to disease.

". . . There are degrees of responsibility the stud dog owner accepts . . . There is so often the request to breed for a puppy. It is wholly up to the stud dog owner . . . but as a practice just to get a stud service, wwith the result of putting another nondescript litter on the market for someone who wanted no cash outlay, few serious breeders protecting the expansion of the breed, would be interested."Summing up, a breeder (fancier) has two basic responsibilities. On behalf of his dogs he should get and apply knowledge that will enable him to breed with discrimination, and constructive results, as to both conformation and temperament. On behalf of the public, he should present his stock with integrity and a willingness to help, and should deal with competitors with honesty, generosity, and sportsmanship . . ."

Our thanks to Betty Doody for saying so succinctly what those of us who have long held Salukis in such high affection and respect, wholeheartedly approve. We cannot support those bent on cheapening the breed, as above, lest we put ourselves into the position of condoning it, nor will anyone who loves even one Saluki, when he realizes what really lies beneath the veneer??

Wig-Wags from the Dog-Tail Lounge: A new all-Saluki magazine, compiled with great effort by editor Judith Myrer, is fresh off the press. For information write her at Rte. 3, Box 521, Saugerties, NY 12477.

With the possible revision of the Standard in mind, we would welcome constructive suggestions for consideration and discussion. In a way, one wonders what good it might do to make "more specific" the various features of the breed when such simply stated things as head "not domed", "Chest deep,' "stifle moderately bent", et al, are so frequently ignored in the present standard--even by judges, occasionally! One cannot help but be startled on seeing some of the pictures of current Salukis with ears setting out of the head below the eye line, briskets far from coming down to the elbow as they should, and leggy, overangulated hindquarters, etc., etc!-Mrs. Esther Bliss Knapp