The Final Cut

The point in any breeding program is of course to produce the next generation and each generation you produce is always with an eye to the future. Puppies are awesome and that is undeniable but they need homes and homes are not to be chosen or taken lightly - that is why most breeders insist on some screening process. It can be hard to choose homes, it can be heart-breaking to say no to someone who doesn't understand the breed or isn't currently in a position to offer a home to one of your puppies. We don't just sell to anyone, we sell to the right home, the forever home.

I think Adine over at Charisma put it best with this paragraph in her blog:

"Very recently, a breeder told me that puppy homes were a dime a dozen. I think that this statement grossly undervalues the extremely important role pet puppy homes have in a breeder’s program. After all, what predicament would breeders be in if we bred to produce a certain type of dog to keep for our breeding programs but then also had to keep the ten that accompanied it? The only two choices would be to keep all the puppies and breed once every 10 years, or alternatively cull those that we didn’t feel worthy of life. My opinion? I feel privileged to be able to provide the incredible experience that sharing your life with a Ridgeback can bring to the right family. It has been awesome to meet people that are eager to embark on this adventure with us. Out of a list of breeders, you chose us. I want you all to know just how appreciated you are and we will do our utmost to support you in every way we can!"

You know ... she's right. Pet homes are the backbone of a breeding program because they take the dogs we don't want to keep. Breeders breed to keep the best of the best but must be as ruthless when choosing pet homes as when choosing to keep the next Great One. Every puppy deserves the best home and the best chance at a life with a family. For any breeder to belittle or shrug away the responsibility of finding good 'pet' homes is a sad commentary on that breeder's opinion of the people they sell to and additionally their opinion of the puppies who are placed in those homes. Suffice it to say I know I have chosen the most *awesome* homes out there and you all know who you are!