Breeding and showing dogs is a business and sentiments don't do well in business world.
Then why are the majority of the breeders I know
not making a dime off their breeding programs?
Any money that comes in from placing a dog goes right back into the care for the dogs they still have under their roof. Medical bills, food, etc. for a large number of dogs IS NOT cheap.
Usually to get a good show dog you need to apprentice for some time under good breeder and as tofupup mentioned get an "eye" for the show prospect and then maybe invest $$$ into buying your own dog for show. It is not unheard of spending 10 K before you have your first Champion title.
The majority of which they never recoup.
Breeders usually breed their dogs to improve their lines and get their next champion
Which also serves to improve the quality, both structure and health, of the dogs placed as pets and/or performance dogs. I
want a breeder who is focused on breeding to improve the quality of their dogs and not just doing random breeding.
There is also only so much time one has to spend on a dog so if person has too many dogs some will be left behind. It is just a business and I am glad to be just a pet owner.
This is true and its why breeders look to place the dogs they don't plan to show or breed with loving homes. The breeders are
well aware of their limits and how many dogs they can have in their household and STILL give the dogs the time of day to have well socialized animals.
Over the years I've watched my breeder place adult dogs,
including my CJ, with loving forever homes so they'd have a better life than she's able to provide for them.
Its not that she no longer cares for her dogs - that is SO NOT THE CASE. She still fawns over Edan and he's been with me since he was 7 months old (he'll be 4 years old in 1.5 weeks). Even after she places her dogs, they are
still her kids! She'll dog sit for people who own her dogs. And she wants her dogs back if the new owners can't care for them any longer. Heck, my breeder has
driven 2 hours to watch Edan and I compete in non-AKC Agility venues.
Does that sound like someone who doesn't give a damn about their dogs???
My CJ was placed with us, even though she is still a dog my breeder is considering for breeding, because we can provide her with more than just love, food, a backyard to run around in. She knew she could count on us to give her a purpose - training as an agility dog. Its not that she doesn't
want to do performance; its that she doesn't have
time between her actual job and spending time with her dogs to do performance.
Look, I can't speak for everyone who shows dogs. But I really take issue with the broad, sweeping statements that you're making - you are making assumptions about how my mom and I relate to our dogs, and I think that's entirely unfair. It is not "just a business" for us.
I agree entirely Tofu Pup. I'm not a breeder but EVERY BREEDER I KNOW, and I know plenty between my breeder, my groomer, my groomer's assistant (who also breeds Shelties), and numerous members of my agility club.
NONE of them are in it to make money. They are breeding dogs because they love their dogs and the breed and want to contribute to improving the breed for future generations.
SheltieChe, I get it, you don't like breeders and the idea of dog shows; or at least that's the impression you give here. HOWEVER, your broad assumptions are incredibly off base from the norm - almost stereotypical in nature.
I'm not going to say there are not breeders who act as you seem to assume all breeders do, that would be foolish. What I'm AM saying is your assumptions, your stereotype, does NOT fit the
norm. Its equivalent to saying "all blondes are dumb" when I'm SURE you can name a number of intelligent people who happen to be blonde.
I think Tully is very cute! I can't believe you typed that. 
and for those of you who love showing I understand the appeal, but it just isn't for me, which is why I shall stick with my doggy sports.
