The Million Dollar Question

In order to keep things as simple as possible, let's just focus on the canine world. The AKC recognizes 143 breeds. If we are to include all breeds (Rare and Ancient) that are recognized world wide by other reputable organizations, like the UK, the Australian Kennel Club, and breed specific clubs affiliated with the FCI, the total number would grow to over 400.

However, this group still does not include mixed breeds (like the Poo dogs) or breeds that are still under development such as the Seppala Sled Dog or the Shiloh Shepherd. Consumers need to apply great caution when dealing with such purchases, since there is no reputable organization monitoring such groups. In general, the proponents for such puppies are only interested in making a large profit! Unfortunately, other groups that also benefit from such puppy producers will also continue to take their advertising dollars (for websites and magazines) as well as show entry dollars as long as it is profitable for them!

If they have to choose between $$ or integrity--there is no delay! The evidence can clearly be seen at these "rare breed" shows that allow anyone to enter, using any "breed" name they fancy that day, just so that these promoters can line their pockets!

The public should never expect any semblance of credibility from such an event. They are just a fun place to visit--like a carnival--where you can enter your pooch (as any breed you choose) and walk out with a little ribbon!

One thing that everyone can agree upon is that a "breed" is obviously the results of an intense program that is focused on breeding for a particular set of characteristics and qualities!! An extensive selective breeding program must be implemented for several decades in order to set (and maintain) the desired type. Without such dedication (and accurate data collection) the goal for establishing a sufficient genetic base that could maintain enough diversity to prevent the gene pool from becoming bottlenecked, while maintaining consistency in type, is no small feat!

All popular breeds that we are very familiar with today had to undergo this type of transition! Just research the history of the Doberman Pinscher, Parson Russell Terrier, Leonberger, Cesky Terrier, and compare their development to the geographic type of development that created the Shetland Sheepdog, Labrador Retriever, or the Alaskan Malamute. Even the German Shepherd didn't reach its ultimate consistency for many decades! Fortunately, the gene pool was carefully controlled by the SV and the breed survived. Many others have not been as fortunate.

<<What does this all mean?

First of all, a breed must be carefully developed over many generations to fix the desired characteristics. The offspring must be identifiable as a member of the breed when compared to the standard and to other adults. Breeding a male of one breed with a female of another breed does not produce a purebred puppy of any breed. For example, putting a Poolde with a Shih Tzu does not produce a new breed, for the second generation offspring may look nothing like their parents. The first paring produces puppies that are 50 percent Poodle and 50 percent Shih Tzu; the second generation may be more or less of either breed--the percentage is unknown unless a genome study is conducted on the chromosomes of each puppy. >> What is a Breed

A good example of this can be seen in The Shiloh v. LHGSD

J. Jeffrey Bragg calls them an Evolving Breeding because that is exactly what needs to take place before they can be recognized as a separate breed. First they must evolve into a specific "type" that can consistently produce progeny as per their breed standard. What is an Evolving Breed?

Setting Type, while avoiding the pitfalls of inbreeding depression that could lead to possible extinction.

Gene pool expansion aka Breed Development is extremely complex and many factors are involved in the process!

Those that choose to get personally involved with owning (or even breeding) these dogs while they undergo this process of development, will someday be able to reap the reward of knowing that they, along with other dedicated fanciers, took part in the pioneer effort to achieve full recognition.

Those that just used a "breed" name in order to line their pockets by fraudulently selling mixed breed pups for personal gain will also go down in history, as their deceitfully treacherous behavior is exposed for all eternity!

Some of the articles written by the original editors are quite informative! If you look at the German Shepherd Dog article from the Wikipedia, you will find that this is a very factual page, providing historical, accurate information.

Unfortunately, their new policy to accept anything as fact just because a few people choose to claim that it is so (especially when those people are only doing this in order to DECEIVE the general public) is pure idiocy!

Of even more concern is the fact that they have chosen to reject verifiable data provided by credible sources on the basis that it is just "their" POV (Point of View)!

Obviously the Wiki is lacking any semblance of sane checks and balances that can be implemented to sift through debatable information, using reliable sources instead of just public "opinion" regarding a factual issue like the History of the Shiloh Shepherd Dog!

In the real world, if someone is trying to sell Picasso's from their basement, they would be arrested for forgery! In the Wiki world they would open a discussion that would not allow the real Picasso to state his POV regarding the painting that he signed, while encouraging the forger to show how his copy was its equal and should have have the right to demand the same kind of prices that any "other" Picasso painting would be getting!

Sound ridiculous? Well, maybe to normal people, but obviously, that is the status quo for the Wikipedians!

Of course, this same analogy could be applied to identify theft of any kind. The Wiki policy is very clear about POV! They don't care who you think you are, if someone else claims to be you, then it must be so! If you choose to disagree, you will be labeled as being argumentative and blocked from posting! If you are brave enough to slip your hip boots on and jump into their fray--you will most likely come out of that mixer wondering "who" you are! So do yourself a favor never believe anything you read on the Wiki. Take a moment and read some of the other reviews about this "modern" encyclopedia before you trust anything you read those pages.

Hopefully other intelligent people will soon discover the truth and do likewise.

What about other non-biased Internet sources? Can you find the truth about the breed you are investigating from those multi-breed sites, or do you have to just depend on what the breeders are telling you? After all, their goal is to sell you a puppy, so wouldn't that make them biased? What about those that want to warn you about other breeders associated with your breed of choice? Can this information be credible, or should you consider it as a form of competitive rivalry?

Unfortunately, you have entered a "buyers beware" zone! It's your responsibility to take enough time to properly educate yourself.

B. Contact the parent breed club! If several "younger" or "newer" clubs exist, go back to the search! With foreign breeds, you may have to contact the country of origin and locate an approved FCI breed club. With breeds under development, locate the founding club, or its past officers. If it is a recognized breed, locate the parent club.

C. Then spend enough time to contact at least a dozen breeders! Ask them specific questions to see how well they match up to the expectations listed on this matrix.