Mike's Memos
This page is the start of something new. It will be a conglomeration of updates, news, and info for our customers, as well as other bulldog fanciers and breeders. It is an open-ended diary of miscellaneous "stuff" that I think would be helpful to our DRAGONSLAYER friends and fans. I will update it as time allows, so feel free to check back once a week or so. I am calling it "Mike's Memos" and I hope that you enjoy stopping by here occasionally.
|
5/11/08: IN THE SPIRIT OF MOTHER'S DAY!
I Owe My Mother
1. My mother taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE. "If you're going
to kill each other, do it outside. I just finished cleaning."
2. My mother taught me RELIGION. "You better pray that will come out
of
the carpet."
3. My mother taught me about TIME TRAVEL. "If you don't straighten up,
I'm going to knock you into the middle of next week!"
4. My mother taught me LOGIC " Because I said so, that's why."
5. My mother taught me MORE LOGIC. "If you fall out of that swing and
break your neck, you're not going to the store with me."
> 6. My mother taught me FORESIGHT. "Make sure you wear clean
underwear, in case you're in an accident."
7. My mother taught me IRONY. "Keep crying, and I'll give you
something
to cry about."
8. My mother taught me about the science of OSMOSIS "Shut your mouth
and
eat your supper."
9. My mother taught me about CONTORTIONISM. "Will you look at that
dirt
on the back of your neck!"
10. My mother taught me about STAMINA. "You'll sit there until all
that
spinach is gone."
11 My mother taught me about WEATHER. "This room of yours looks as if
a
tornado went through it."
12. My mother taught me about HYPOCRISY "If I told you once, I've told
you a million times. Don't exaggerate!"
13. My mother taught me the CIRCLE OF LIFE . "I brought you into this
world, and I can take you out of it."
14. My mother taught me about BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION . "Stop acting
like
your father!"
15. My mother taught me about ENVY. "There are millions of less
fortunate children in this world who don't have wonderful parents like
you do."
16. My mother taught me about ANTICIPATION "Just wait until we get
home."
17. My mother taught me about RECEIVING "You are going to get it when
you get home!"
18. My mother taught me MEDICAL SCIENCE. "If you don't stop crossing
your eyes, they are going to get stuck that way."
19. My mother taught me ESP "Put your sweater on; don't you think I
know
when you are cold?"
20. My mother taught me HUMOR . "When that lawn mower cuts off your
toes, don't come running to me"
21. My mother taught me HOW TO BECOME AN ADULT. "If you don't eat your
vegetables, you'll never grow up."
22. My mother taught me GENETICS "You're just like your father."
23. My mother taught me about my ROOTS. "Shut that door behind you.
Do you think you were born in a barn?"
24. WISDOM. "When you get to be my age, you'll understand."
And my favorite:
25. My mother taught me about JUSTICE ."One day you'll have kids, and
I
hope they turn out just like you"
Ya' gotta love it.....
9/22/07:
RED FRIDAY
Will you give this to my Daddy?
As a Company, Southwest Airlines is going to support "Red Fridays."
Last week I was in Atlanta , Georgia attending a conference. While I
was in the airport, returning home, I heard several people behind me
beginning to clap and cheer. I immediately turned around and witnessed
one of the greatest acts of patriotism I have ever seen.
Moving through the terminal was a group of soldiers in their camos. As
they began heading to their gate, everyone (well almost everyone) was
abruptly to their feet with their hands waving and cheering.
When I saw the soldiers, probably 30-40 of them, being applauded and
cheered for, it hit me. I'm not alone. I'm not the only red-blooded
American who still loves this country and supports our troops and
their families.
Of course I immediately stopped and began clapping for these young
unsung heroes who are putting their lives on the line everyday for us
so we can go to school, work and home without fear or reprisal.
Just when I thought I could not be more proud of my country or of our
service men and women, a young girl, not more than 6 or 7 years old,
ran up to one of the male soldiers. He knelt down and said "hi."
The little girl then asked him if he would give something to her daddy
for her.
The young soldier, who didn't look any older than maybe 22 himself,
said he would try and what did she want to give to her daddy. Then
suddenly the little girl grabbed the neck of this soldier, gave him
the biggest hug she could muster and then kissed him on the cheek.
The mother of the little girl, who said her daughter's name was
Courtney, told the young soldier that her husband was a Marine and had
been in Iraq for 11 months now. As the mom was explaining how much her
daughter Courtney missed her father, the young soldier began to tear
up.
When this temporarily single mom was done explaining her situation,
all of the soldiers huddled together for a brief second. Then one of
the other servicemen pulled out a military-looking walkie-talkie. They
started playing with the device and talking back and forth on it.
After about 10-15 seconds of this, the young soldier walked back over
to Courtney, bent down and said this to her, "I spoke to your daddy
and he told me to give this to you." He then hugged this little girl
that he had just met and gave her a kiss on the cheek. He finished by
saying "your daddy told me to tell you that he loves you more than
anything and he is
coming home very soon."
The mom at this point was crying almost uncontrollably and as the
young soldier stood to his feet, he saluted Courtney and her mom. I
was standing no more than 6 feet away from this entire event.
As the soldiers began to leave, heading towards their gate, people
resumed their applause. As I stood there applauding and looked around,
there were very few dry eyes, including my own. That young soldier in
one last act of selflessness, turned around and blew a kiss to
Courtney with a tear rolling down his cheek.
We need to remember everyday all of our soldiers and their families
and thank God for them and their sacrifices. At the end of the day,
it's good to be an American.
RED FRIDAYS ----- Very soon, you will see a great many people wearing
Red every Friday. The reason? Americans who support our troops used to
be called the "silent majority". We are no longer silent, and are
voicing our love for God, country and home in record breaking numbers.
We are not organized, boisterous or over-bearing. We get no liberal
media coverage on TV, to reflect our message or our opinions. Many
Americans, like you, me and all our friends, simply want to recognize
that the vast majority of America supports our troops.
Our idea of showing solidarity and support for our troops with dignity
and respect starts this Friday -and continues each and every Friday
until the troops all come home, sending a deafening message that..
Every red-blooded American who supports our men and women afar will
wear something red.
By word of mouth, press, TV -- let's make the United States on every
Friday a sea of red much like a homecoming football game in the
bleachers.
If every one of us who loves this country will share this with
acquaintances, co-workers, friends, and family. It will not be long
before the USA is covered in RED and it will let our troops know the
once "silent" majority is on their side more than ever; certainly more
than the media lets on.
The first thing a soldier says when asked "What can we do to make
things better for you?" is...We need your support and your prayers.
Let's get the word out and lead with class and dignity, by example;
and wear something red every Friday.
|
4/29/07:
Here are a few photos of our up and coming dogs, to let you know
how they are progressing. I just took these photos today:
Peaches @ 8 mo:
 
 
Molly @ 9 mo:
FLEX @ 11 weeks:
 
 
Raven:
 
 
|
3/10/07:
From time to time, people tell me, “lighten up, it’s just a dog,” or, “that’s a lot of money for just a dog.” They don’t understand the distance traveled, the time spent, or the costs involved for “just a dog.” Some of my proudest moments have come about with “just a dog.” Many hours have passed and my only company was “just a dog,” but I did not once feel slighted. Some of my saddest moments have been brought about by “just a dog,” and in those days of darkness, the gentle touch of “just a dog” gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day. If you, too, think it’s “just a dog,” then you will probably understand phases like “just a friend,” “just a sunrise,” or “just a promise.” “Just a dog” brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust, and pure unbridled joy. “Just a dog” brings out the compassion and patience that make me a better person. Because of “just a dog” I will rise early, take long walks and look longingly to the future. So for me and folks like me, it’s not “just a dog” but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future, the fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment. “Just a dog” brings out what’s good in me and diverts my thoughts away from myself and the worries of the day. I hope that someday they can understand that it’s not “just a dog” but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being “just a man.” So the next time you hear the phrase “just a dog.” just smile, because they “just don’t understand.”
~Author Anonymous~
|
|
2/11/07:
Below are a few of our up and comers. They are all in the 5-7 mo
age range. I am very proud of these dogs, they are all third
generation DragonSlayer produced.
|
1/15/07:
The year 2006
Last year was a year of some remarkably good times, and then there
were some very tough times here at DragonSlayer Kennels. Many
didn't know all of the details, and that is fine. We had some
great losses, and some very great accomplishments, both in the
dogs and in our family. Some of my friends in the bulldog world
stuck with me and really encouraged me. It meant so much.
I want to take few minutes here to pay some long overdue respect
to my folks: Richard and Dianna Tucker. They took me in and did
their best to bring me up right. And things looked promising.
Then, misunderstandings and pride got in the way, and there was a
5-year segment or so that things were "just not right"
in our relationship. But last year, in the lowest time of my life,
my mom came through and saved me. Man, I really needed it. She
came down to our house from out of state and just hung out for a
month, and with God's help and her, everything got better. Later,
my dad drove his motorcycle 600 miles just to visit with us during
that time. Then, when my girl Jamie had her pups, mom and dad
faithfully watched over her and the pups to make sure everything
was ok.
Let me say something here, I know that we all get wrapped up in
these dogs, and they are so very special. But 2006 has taught me
that people are more important than dogs and if you have loved
ones, you had better hold them dearly, because in an instant you
may not have them! So I want to say thanks to my mom and dad for
trying so hard in raising me up. Mistakes were made on both sides
of the fence, but in the end love pulled us all through. My dad is
a great guy, a giver, a servant, a funny, happy, kind man that
will tell you like it is, but yet help you any way that he can. He
is very creative, always working on something out of the ordinary.
My mom, she can cook like none other, always wants to make great
memories, and we just talk for hours sometimes. They both come
from good stock, their parents were great people too!
Here is what I learned about relationships in 2006: "Don't
build walls, build bridges. It is all just building stuff."
It's all about perspective, and how you view things. Are you
wearing glasses that see everything in a light of resentment? Or
are you looking through glasses that make you thankful for the
true gifts that you have? If there is a young person reading this,
I know, you think that you know it all. But you don't. So if you
have good parents, you better be listening to them, instead of
your friends. If you don't, it will bite you. Here is a simple
principle, I see it in the Bible, I see it in my life, I see it on
the news: Kids that don't listen to mom and dad are kids that
don't do very well in life. So listen to mom and dad, and RESPECT
them, and you won't live a life of regret like so many do. One
more thought while we are on the subject, and this goes for the
dogs, parents, kids, and any other relationship that you value. It
has become my motto: "HUG EM WHILE YA GOT EM!"
|
1/13/07:
Hip Dysplasia (CHD)
This is a subject that many bulldog breeders would rather dismiss, and sweep under the carpet. I will probably take some flak here in even bringing this subject up, but we cannot continue to bury our heads in the sand. I am on an aggressive path towards TOTAL QUALITY DOGS. And I will not take shortcuts, or cut corners to accomplish this.
We have to make a stand, in good conscience. Bulldogs are known to have horrible hips, so we most often just shrug our shoulders and accept it. I don't buy that approach. It is the easy way out, no doubt.
But, is this doing the breed any good at all? Why continue to perpetuate a very bad, painful, even crippling trait, when something can be done about it? I have been working on this ailment quietly for some time now. In fact, this subject has been in the back of my mind for several years now, but when you bring it up as a topic of discussion, usually the conversation swings to other things such as color, head size, or whatever. I have honestly been focusing on other aspects in my own program for the most part as well, but we as a bulldogge community owe it to the breed to begin taking a serious look at the hips of our dogs, and find out what we can do to improve the situation, instead of just putting a band-aid over the problem, ignoring it, and pressing on for the latest color fad or "look". If a dog has no hips, it will not move as fluid and comfortably as it was meant to, and to continue to bring lives into this world with the genetics to have poor hips is simply unethical!
These dogs are born into a world that they did not create, and that is not by their choice, but by ours. So we owe it to the future of the breed to "man up" and do the right thing here.
This small article is not meant to give you a complete education on this dilemma. It is only a start of a campaign that I am personally beginning. But, you personally can do endless google searches to educate yourself, and speak to your local vet as well about it. I just want to bring some light to the subject for the general public. Maybe stir some thought about it? Maybe even ban together as breeders and really strive for improvement? I realize that this will not be a problem that we can fix overnight. For breeders and pet owners, I want to simply make you more aware of the problem that DOES TRULY EXIST. AND IF YOU IGNORE IT, IT WILL STILL BE THERE. I have my own feelings as to how it occurs and why, I feel at times it is genetic, while other times it is caused by environment, and in other instances it is a combination of both. While I do not claim to be an expert on the subject, I am a student of it. And if you are serious about your dogs, you will become a student of it as well. So take the time to research, talk around, and grow up in some areas that are for the most part left alone. I have included a few X-Rays for your consideration. Don't be afraid to get your own dog's hips x-rayed, particularly if you have any intentions of breeding! Best of luck!
(click images for larger view)
|
Very poor hips:
|
Very good hips:
|
Hips of DragonSlayers Macho:
|
Below are some more examples of hips:
An interesting philosophy on breeders who don't plan:
The average dog has 5 genetic defects that are hidden (proven at UM)
If you are breeding without forethought or planning, you are adding new or unknown blood each time that you breed, bringing a possible 10 genetic faults together with each mating.
When you bring in a crappy dog that is from crappy lines that has no thought in the breeding practice or animal husbandry best practices...
You get crap.
Not pretty, but it is the truth!
|
12/17/06:
Here are some updates of my Macho x Jamie pups. Some thick little suckers for sure. So far I am very happy with them. Not For
Sale!
DRAGONSLAYERS COCO (VANDAL CLONE)
DRAGONSLAYERS BLUE CANON (BLUE EYE)
DRAGONSLAYERS JAMIE 2 (CAN YOU SEE WHY?) SHE POSES ALL DAY LONG,
LOL
DRAGONSLAYERS MISS FREEZE, AKA ICE. Not a Jamie daughter, but I sure had some fun taking pics of my big beastly girl today. Man she brings the heat, puts MOST males to shame. This girl is not only HUGE, but she is put together as nice as any, and can move too! She just had another growth spurt, still has a few left to go until she is finished. She is THE female version of Mason's Primo. Maybe one day I will just put her with THE MAN. I am going to breed her to my boy Vandal next, pups should be REVOLUTIONARY to the breed. Competition? If there is, I want to see it. HAHA Just kiddin, but seriously:
ELEVATE, DON'T HATE!
"Love what you do, or do something else!"
|
12/16/06:
Here is a picture of a male that my buddy Ray D. owns, out of Jamie x Primo. His name is Bronx, and he is a littermate to my boy Vandal. He makes the cut for me.
|
|
12/12/06:
An ancient relic of a momma Bulldogge with her pups:
|
I like this Olde Tyme Bulldogge...
|
12/11/06:
Best breeding rules I've ever ran across....
-Author unknown –
1. Remember that the animals you select for breeding today will have an impact on the breed for many years to come. Keep that thought firmly in mind when you choose breeding stock.
2. You can choose only two individuals per generation. Choose only the best, because you will have to wait for another generation to improve what you start with. Breed only if you expect the progeny to be better than both parents.
3. You cannot expect statistical predictions to hold true in a small number of animals (as in one litter of puppies). Statistics only apply to large populations.
4. A pedigree is a tool to help you learn the good and bad attributes that your dog is likely to exhibit or reproduce. A pedigree is only as good as the dog it represents.
5. Breed for a total dog, not just one or two characteristics. Don't follow fads in your breed, because they are usually meant to emphasize one or two features of the dog at the expense of the soundness and function of the whole.
6. Quality does not mean quantity. Quality is produced by careful study, having a good mental picture of what you are trying to achieve, having patience to wait until the right breeding stock is available and to evaluate what you have already produced, and above all, having a breeding plan that is at least three generations ahead of the breeding you do today.
7. Remember that skeletal defects are the most difficult to change.
8. Don't bother with a good dog that cannot produce well. Enjoy him (or her) for the beauty that he represents but don't use him in a breeding program.
9. Use out-crosses very sparingly. For each desirable characteristic you acquire, you will get many bad traits that you will have to eliminate in succeeding generations.
10. Inbreeding is a valuable tool, being the fastest method to set good characteristics and type. It brings to light hidden traits that need to be eliminated from the breed.
11. Breeding does not "create" anything. What you get is what was there to begin with. It may have been hidden for many generations, but it was there.
12. Discard the old cliché about the littermate of that great producer being just as good to breed to. Littermates seldom have the same genetic make-up.
13. Be honest with yourself. There are no perfect dogs (or b###hes) nor are there perfect producers. You cannot do a competent job of breeding if you cannot recognize the faults and virtues of the dogs you plan to breed.
 14. Hereditary traits are inherited equally from both parents. Do not expect to solve all of your problems in one generation.
15. If the worst puppy in your last litter is no better than the worst puppy in your first litter, you are not making progress. Your last litter should be your last litter.
16. If the best puppy in your last litter is no better than the best puppy in your first litter, you are not making progress. Your last litter should be your last litter.
17. Do not choose a breeding animal by either the best or the worst that he (or she) has produced. Evaluate the total get by the attributes of the majority.
18. Keep in mind that quality is a combination of soundness and function. It is not merely the lack of faults, but the positive presence of virtues. It is the whole dog that counts.
19. Don't allow personal feelings to influence your choice of breeding stock. The right dog for your breeding program is the right dog, whoever owns it. Don't ever decry a good dog; they are too rare and wonderful to be demeaned by pettiness.
20. Don't be satisfied with anything but the best. The second best is never good enough.
|
The following article by Jonathan Jeffrey Kimes (Pluperfect Kennels, Kansas City, Missouri) is reprinted with his permission.
Seven Foundations of a Successful Dog Breeder
Listed in this article are some axioms that I have created as a learning tool. These axioms are reflections of the temptations we face on a daily basis as dog breeders. If one were to make a similar list for any human endeavor, I doubt it would differ much from what I have listed. I think this list is one that we should all review from time to time, for it requires maturity and self-confidence to master-something we all should continue to hone throughout our lives. The ultimate payoff is the ability to succeed in and to enjoy our dog breeding careers.
I - ENJOY YOUR DOGS
The primary reason anyone becomes involved with dog breeding and showing is a fundamental love of dogs. We treasure the companionship, the never failing loyalty, the delight they exude. We love to have them on our beds. Their eagerness to face the new day, even when we wake them up at dreadful hours, provides us a wonderment that brings back the exuberance of childhood. They forgive us when we lose our temper, when we are impatient, when we are far less than they are. They bring out the best of ourselves, they nurture the "big" us. Unfortunately, dog breeding and exhibiting can tempt our "little" selves. It can feed a fragile ego until it becomes a raging ego. Often, this need to feel we are better than our fellow man is expressed in our possessions. We need to have the biggest winner, the producer of the most champions, the most champion puppies. We buy, we co-own, we collect. Soon we have no time for dog pleasures, no time to play or rub a grateful belly, no time to stroke a patient brow. Soon we have no room for more dogs; we stack them and crate them and store them as though they were baubles that have no meaning but to make us feel important. We lose our ability to love. Dog showing and breeding is a great vocation. It is creative and challenging and very rewarding. But we must never expect our hobby to take the place of a psychologist's work. We must never expect an unhealthy mental state to be cured by self-indulgence. Far too many people take to showing and breeding for the wrong reasons. Their houses go to ruin, their bank accounts evaporate, their credit hits the skids, their spouses and children are left to survive on their own as the breeder pursues their own manifestation of what they perceive to prove their self-worth. Being a dog breeder is a huge commitment. It means we should assign ourselves the role of lifetime student. It means we will be humbled in countless ways and in countless circumstances. It means our lessons will be of the hard knock variety if we are to truly learn them. It means frustration, long hours, late nights and early mornings. It means never getting to sleep-in again. It means finding friendships - some of which will last for a lifetime and some of which will founder, being built on social advantage. It means being quoted and misquoted and having words put in your mouth. It means being given ample opportunity to be as "small" as a human being can be. But, hopefully, it can provide an opportunity to learn to be "big," to be generous, inquisitive, and adventurous. We should never ask ourselves if we are envied or important or successful. Those questions are meaningless. At the end of the day, we should ask ourselves, "Am I proud of the person I've become? What we must always be are dog lovers. We must be their advocates. We must ensure the life of every dog we breed and every dog we own is fulfilled and an illustration of humanity at its nest hour. Our vanity must not be stroked by having our pictures in a magazine or seeing our name on some ranking system. Our self-worth must come from knowing we provide our dogs a life of love, of pleasure, and of happiness.
II - BREED FOR IMPROVEMENT NOT WINNERS
It is easy to become lost in the purpose of breeding quality dogs. For some, the attraction of the bright lights, the glamour and the glitz cause them to stray from the path. Developing a bloodline that is well considered and that is a positive influence for the breed takes considerable discipline. Too often, the seemingly slow and carefully orchestrated effort to improve a breed is crossed up with the immediate desire to breed that one big winner and become famous.
The breeder's pledge must be to harbor and safeguard the breed. No breed is in perfect shape when the breeder happens upon it and none shall be perfect when they leave. But to leave a breed in better shape than it was when you came upon it is the greatest compliment. To improve type, movement, temperament and health must be the bottom line for every committed breeder.
Such accomplishment takes a long-range plan that is carefully thought through. It requires dedication and purpose. All too often, we are sidetracked by our desire to breed to the latest big winner, and then to the next and the next. Before long the pedigree is a long list of "who's who" that have no relationship to each other, other than they found success in the ring. What is key to learn (and to believe) is success in the ring is not an automatic indication of the dog's true quality. We all wish one indicated the other but that is too easy. It would require the removal of human fallacy to be accomplished!
Dogs do not excel for all the same reasons. Consequently, you can't simply breed one big winner to another and produce more big winners. Every feature and their nature of inheritance must be studied and understood before you can "manage" the inheritance variables. Once you gain this skill, you are on the road to producing a great line of winners.
III - TO THINE OWN SELF BE TRUE
The breeding of fine purebred dogs should be considered the pursuit of perfection - it is not the maintenance of it. All dogs have faults, all dogs are less than ideal in some ways and areas. If not, the "ideal" has not been well enough conceived. It is very easy to fall into the trap of being defensive about one's own dogs. This usually happens because what we assume to be correct is challenged by another as being less so.
This disharmony causes confusion in our mind and ultimately unhappiness. To right ourselves, we often become defensive and try to rid ourselves of that which is causing us the discomfort - namely the opin-ion that does not complement our own.
We must realize that "truth" is the ultimate standard by which our decisions should be made. In most cases, a roached back is a roached back, whether we choose to recognize it as such or not. Consequently, the best way for us to not be put into a position of being unhappily surprised is to pursue knowledge relentlessly to ensure our opinion is as accurate and close to the "truth" as possible.
This knowledge is gained in many ways, one of which is learning from fellow breeders. We must fight the urge to make up our minds about something and refuse to consider another viewpoint. Indeed, we do not make decisions based on facts when we are first learning, we are depending upon what we perceive to be the expertise of others to provide that for us. If that so-called expertise is, in fact, faulty, our whole knowledge base is called into question. And that causes us great anxiety.
The best place to sit is in the seat of the knowledge seeker. Whenever provided with an opinion that is different than the one You currently hold, always seek to under-stand the viewpoint of the other. Why does the person perceive something differently than you? Understanding another's point of view can be the road to greater knowledge. If you shut that door and do not entertain the prospect of learning something different than what you think is truth you will never actually recognize the truth and you will not succeed in your goal.
Quite honestly, you should be more critical of your dogs than anyone else could possibly be. That is not to say you should attribute faults to your dogs they do not possess, but your evaluation must be as detailed as possible and you must strive to see clearly their true faults and virtues. From this comes the map to success.
IV - DEAL WITH OTHERS AS YOU WOULD HAVE THEM DEAL WITH YOU
Sounds a bit like the golden rule that we learn in childhood. Yet it is amazing how many people forget this very important axiom. In dealing with others, regardless of the matter, think always of the other person's position. I have heard repeatedly, people state how they were burned in a co-ownership agreement. All too often the agreement is geared toward benefiting one party (often the seller) over another. Written agreements somehow are tainted as being only needed in a contentious situation. This is the first misconception. Not having a written agreement should be the very rare exception, not the reverse. Too often, should a worthwhile puppy be produced from one of these undefined arrangements, the fight is on for possession. Before contemplating selling a dog on a co-ownership or leasing it or offering stud service for a puppy back, you should think through what exactly you expect and desire from such an arrangement. Too often, these business dealings occur in the spur of the moment during a telephone conversation, and the deal is struck before either party has really had an opportunity to think it through. For some reason, rather than rethinking the situation, we tend to try to follow through on such an ill conceived arrangement only to end up bitter enemies in the end. If people would stop and think about the likely end result, they would realize the best possible thing to protect the friendship is to have a written understanding.
It is very rare a litter is going to have more than one star if any at all. Consequently, it is important to under-stand who is going to own that super puppy, should it appear. People are too willing to tear apart relationships should one person seem to benefit a bit more than another. This is too sad and is reflective of the self-benefit motivation that all too many find as the driving force for their actions. When pressed, it is far better to give than to receive.
It is far better to let the other seemingly benefit than to destroy a relationship and acquire the reputation of being disreputable and self centered, if for no other reason than it makes you grow as a human being, which is probably a fair trade off in the long run.
V - BY GIVING YOU HAVE NOTHING TO LOSE
Another pitfall breeders often experience is the inability to celebrate others' Successes. While certainly we feel the route we are taking is the best way to approach that utopian plateau of breed perfection, there are actually many routes to that same goal. It takes nothing at all away from our own accomplishments to recognize the accomplished efforts of other breeders.
This inability and unwillingness to appreciate other's efforts usually comes from having made a decision not to breed to certain bloodlines or deal with certain persons. When such a kennel then produces a success, it is difficult for us to acknowledge such an achievement for we tend to find that inconsistent with our opinion of that particular person or family of dogs. It takes quite an honest and secure person to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of others.
While it is probably good advice to hold our criticisms closer to our chest, recognizing another's achievement only brings good things. By being someone who can see the virtues in breeding lines other than your own, you gain a reputation of fair-ness and objectivity that is a very rare pearl in dogdom. You may find, over time, your point of view and your philosophies are taken with much greater weight when others do not perceive them to have originated in a mind consumed with self aggrandizement. Thus, by doing so you lose nothing and yet you gain so very much.
VI - MAKE USE OF OTHERS' ACHIEVEMENTS
One of the worst situations a breeder can find her/ himself in is to partition themselves off from another kennel or bloodline. It is highly unlikely that all improvements toward the perfection of a breed are going to come from one single kennel or bloodline. Like flowers in the field, they will spring up in various places. The clever breeder is the one who knows how to pick from allthe field those who will make the ultimate, sublime bouquet. And to do this, you must be able to use the strengths of other kennels and bloodlines. Breeders will tend to have certain biases; and quite honestly, there are certain strengths and weaknesses in most bloodlines. While you may feel you have achieved the highest ground in certain areas, there will doubtless be other areas in which your dogs and bloodlines are less strong than others. Not to recognize this fact is to ensure you will plateau quite early in your breeding career. And by that I mean you will stabilize and go no further. You must always keep a watchful eye for that very special bloom that will enhance your bouquet.
It is this sophisticated combining of families without losing the good points of your own bloodline that strengthen a kennel and move it forward in breed importance. It takes careful consideration, orchestration and pruning to come to fruition.
VII - YOU ARE ONLY AS GOOD AS YOUR MORALS
My last axiom addresses the whole issue of morality. It has many facets and many ways of expressing itself. Spreading rumors, the accuracy of which might be doubtful, is one very good example. Selling dogs on co-owner-ships as a means to control other breeders is certainly another. Accusing other lines of genetic problems while being less than entirely honest about your own is yet another. In all, it goes to the very core of who we are. Do we know right from wrong? Do we practice right in all circumstances? Dog breeding is not about that one great win or that one great winner. It is about breed improvement over time, it is about protecting a breed. Too many people are in search of some kind of sign of their self worth and they think they will obtain some special level of respect and honor if they have a big winner. Dog breeding is a lifetime's work. It is a continuum of which, no matter how quickly you want to "put yourself on the map," will ultimately be a reflection of your true character. To wit, you can't fool all of the people all of the time.
There is no honor in "adjusting" reality to give you the appearance of achieving something you have not. Politicking for wins will not make your dogs any better than they are. Faking your dogs will not make them any better than they are. You may think you can fool the world, but you will ultimately pay the price. No one wants to be a pretender. And yet, some of the worst pre-tenders are people who seem to be infatuated with spreading rumors about other people and dogs. These people live in glass houses and invariably they know it. The breeding of dogs is not about how you impress the neighbors, your peers or anyone else.
 It is the expression of your love of dogs and your personal pursuit in creating an art. You cannot lie about the art you create; you cannot lie to yourself.
While this list, I am quite sure, sounds like a sermon from the mount, it encompasses the many pitfalls that we dog breeders face every day. Some of us are equipped to navigate these disturbances better than others, but all of us CAN navigate them. We are all tested from time to time, even the most educated, psychologically balanced, intelligent and honest amongst us. There are times when it feels much better to zing someone who has been hurtful, to control those whom we feel do not have the proper motivation, to become the ones who attract the adulation. Only through careful thought and well-considered action can we hope to become better people and therefore better dog breeders.
|
|
12/2/06:
CHEST AND SHOULDERS
Here is a dog capable of protecting his little friend from DRAGONS! This male is about a year old, and his chest and shoulders are just starting to pop out. He will be a true beast before long. Some repeat customers sent us these pictures, and gave permission for us to post them. If you have some of our dogs, and want us to put your pics up on our site, we will do it. We will also protect your privacy in the process as well.
|
12/1/06:
If you would like a DragonSlayer T-Shirt, don't hesitate to give us a holler. They really are nice shirts, and we would like all of our friends and partners to have one.
|
DragonSlayer Kennels
Located 1 Hour East of Dallas, Texas
Mike Tucker | Cell (903)440-0553 | E-mail us:
mike@dragonslayerkennels.com
© DragonSlayer Kennels - All rights reserved
website by Designs By
Cindy - hosting by
TNHost
|
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)