[moondog]

While I think the question RottsnScotts raised is legitimate, and I also have no doubt Ron is sincere when he thanked her for bringing it up directly with him in this thread, the questions raised would be better discussed in a thread of their own, especially since other breeding announcements are being included in the discussion.

That said, since it isn't in a thread of its own I'll give my thoughts here. There's no comparison between someone doing extensive research on pedigrees, bloodlines, siblings, and progeny over a period of years that includes actually working, hands on, as many related dogs as possible including the ones being bred, and someone else saying "I have two 6 month old puppies and I'm going to breed them...when should I dock the tails?" without a thought, or even an inkling that there SHOULD be a thought, to what is being brought together with the breeding.

It's a sensitive topic because what is actually knowledge AND experience of both structure and working ability can give the impression of "elitism" if misunderstood, and that happens here all the time. I keep thinking of Joseph Campbell (a professor of religion) when asked, after decades of research and study, if he had faith. His reply, "I don't need faith, because I have experience." Our experience when new to this breed is largely based in faith. As we gain experience, we rely less on faith and the experience we gain as we go along doesn't end for someone who is truly a student of the breed, it continues to grow.

Comparing this breeding with the "I'm gonna breed my puppies" thread is apples and oranges to me.