Cinnstar Tollers Ethics

In this day and age of political correctness, a code of ethics has often taken a back seat so that no one is offended. Too often breed clubs are forced into writing such a broad code of ethics in an effort to include every member that it is a useless and meaningless piece of paper with no teeth to really enforce what few rules there are. Further, boards are hamstrung, paralyzed to act except in all but the few extreme cases in fear of litigation.

Animal Control agencies stifled by lack of funding and manpower, as long as the animal has a source of food, water and shelter they will not act. Animals are being abandoned at an amazing rate. We are a nation of disposable consumers.

Most Toller Breeders to their credit are truly an ethical group of people. Further, most breeders share information about their Tollers health issues, both the good and bad. This is almost unheard of in other breeds. Years ago we sat at dinner tables across the USA and had friendly, social, enjoyable evenings. At shows we all used to groom together, and root for the winner competing in group. We used to cheer all of the dogs completing a field title, not just our own. However this is slowly changing. Unfortunately, as the breed has gotten more popular, small jalousies that are within every breed have become major back stabbing works of art by a few powerful individuals. Years ago I penned "I feel for the most part, we have been able to put aside our personal goals and agendas for the benefit of the breed. This is truly something to applaud.". Alas, I can not say that anymore. While many Toller breeders are ethical and will not bad mouth fellow breeders, it is more commonplace. And it is not necessarily the new comers in the breed either. This as not in the best interest in our breed, and I condemn those who spread lies and deceit about anyone. They will not make their light shine any brighter by attempting to blow someone else's out.

Being an ethical breeder is not just following the written rules of a code of ethics, but the unwritten spirit of the rules. However breeders and owners should understand that certain items like housing, food choice and vaccinations do have to have some flexibility. Climate varies wildly in the USA. Thus do housing requirements. Disease issues vary in different parts of the country, or nation. Different states, countries have different laws that must be obeyed as well. If you travel with your Toller any amount, or send puppies/adults away from your local area, this can become crucial.

Being open an honest about health problems in the Toller and your dogs is all-important. You can not say you don't have a problem if you have not checked. Because I have been in the breed for so long, I need to keep a list of the few problems my dogs have produced. You need to differentiate between rumor and fact. As I see it in this breed, there are breeders that have produced a certain problem, and those who will. In other words, all lines have similar problems; just the degree of prominence varies. My personal biggest problem has been PRA. Thankfully we now have a way to dig ourselves out of that hole. I was involved in the original James Baker study group, and had many of my dogs (and puppies I produced) blood drawn and sent in for the study. I am also involved in the Addisions Study and support all genetic studies that benefit the breed.

Being an ethical breeder one limits the number of litters a bitch produces. You cannot compete a bitch in several venues and breed her every year. I feel the maximum number of litters produced is three litters. I would allow a fourth under special circumstances. This would be

    1. The bitch has produced three other litters of great quality, proven by titles on the offspring in several different venues.
    2. One of the litters is a small size, only three pups or less. This goes without saying that the bitch must be in top condition, and capable of having another litter. I have never breed a bitch four times.

The goal of breeding should be to produce better all around versatile Tollers. To do this, a breeder must be active in several different venues. While some breeders stress one venue over the other, I feel an ethical breeder of Tollers has to at least compete in the field, and conformation. It is nice to make a few dollars, and help offset our entry fees, breeding expenses, and other dog related expenses. However, producing Tollers simply to make money is obviously unethical. You can tell these kinds of people from how many litters they produce each year, and how many events they compete in, the food they use, and general care of their dogs. Further, particularly in Tollers, if you do not feel you are being slightly interrogated by having to fill out questionnaires, and answer questions about the dogs you have owned, this is a sign of a possible unethical breeder. An ethical breeder cares where each puppy goes, and thoroughly checks out prospective puppy people.

Different breeders have different ways of evaluating puppies, and pricing them. However a breeder who states that all of their pups are "Show Quality" or "Breeding Quality" is not being ethical. Toller pups change dramatically as they grow and mature. Hips, other health concerns and performance in any venue is not assured. You can only claim "potential". If you want a guarantee that the pup will mature in a certain way, please purchase a grown animal.

A breeder must take responsibility for each and every pup they produce for the life of the pup. Sometimes even the best home can become a rescue situation in a matter of days. There is no shame to this. Life happens.

Inoculations and other disease potentials are guarded against with proper inoculation and prevention. This might vary by location or law. No puppy should be sent to its new home if it is not protected or is sick. I believe in Limited, But Sensible vaccination practices. Unfortunately in many areas of the country, rabies is prevalent, as is parvo, distemper and heartworm. Here in Texas, Lepto has shown up again. Puppies are the most vulnerable. Because of the risk in Texas, I give my pups 3 sets of Parvo Distemper vaccinations (apx 8,12 and 16 weeks). I wish I could cut out one, but I do not dare take the chance. Then one year latter I give another vaccination of parvo and distemper. After that I do not give another for 7 years which is the last one. Texas law on Rabies is 3 years. Texas does not yet accept titres. Hopefully after the rabies 7 year challenge tests are completed, Texas will go to 7 years. For Heartworm prevention, we use an Australian product "EZ Bones" monthly preventative for heartworm year around. This also prevents other kinds of worms. Cinnstar puppies are born worm free. I understand that in other areas and countries these are not as much as a concern. In Los Angeles where I lived for most of my young life, fleas were such a problem that I had to spray the dogs and yard every 10 days, and rotate chemicals. This was before the monthly protection now in use. I feel the level of pesticides contributed to the amount of cancer in my older dogs.

I have written an entire article on feeding, but an ethical owner and breeder makes sure their dogs eat healthy, nutritious food. It should correspond with the dog's activity level, and if the bitch is in whelp or has puppies.

Whether your dogs live in the house or a kennel, or a percentage of both, they need human companionship. While Tollers are easily socialized, they do not do well in huge kennel situations with little human contact. The good thing about performance venues is that it requires lots of work and time spent with the dog. The bond formed lasts a lifetime. Kennel areas must be clean, and correctly built for the climatic conditions in the area.

Lastly in the wake of AKC recognition I have this to say. In the end it is the breeders that determine the fate of the breed. It is the breeders that select the homes that pups are placed in. If we carefully place our pups in homes where the dogs will compete in several venues this will keep the breed from splitting into different breeds like most of the Sporting Group.

If our puppy people choose to send their dog to a professional handler to have it campaigned give the handler the fantastic video of the breed, and the judge's seminar power point presentation. Demand that the dog be groomed correctly by the standard, not overdone, fluffed, moosed, and overweight. That will be a great contribution to the breed. It is great to have the breed recognized. It should not be the dreaded wail "Wait until the professional handlers get a hold of the breed." Educate, then demand and expect compliance.

Ensure that our Puppy People are as ethical as we are, and the breed will continue to grow and improve.

  
Toller Rescue   Food & Feeding Toller Temperament
Agreement/Guarantee   Living with a PRA "C" Toller  




Cinnstar Retrievers
Laura and Don White
903.335.3806
laurawhite1957@gmail.com




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