Are you aware of the vast number of people breeding dilute Labradors to produce the colors silver, charcoal and champagne? Dilute breeders have a website and a petition site. They are petitioning the LRC and the AKC to include dilute Labradors. You may not think this affects you, but I beg to differ. Just ask around, see how many well known breeders have been fooled by the dilute breeders into selling them semen. Pedigrees show many outstanding stud dogs. Good breeders have no idea about the dilute lines they have contributed to. So please take a few minutes and visit our site. We encourage everyone to add your own endorsement to help keep our breed pure! Please...as one breeder said "DO NO HARM" and "Support only Black, chocolate and yellow". We need your voice so please join us!! http://www.notosilverlabradors.com/endorsements.html
http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/equal-rights-for-all-purbred-labrador-retrievers.html
http://www.labradorcouncil.com/
The dilute breeders have every right to breed their dogs as they see fit, just as the mixed breed designer breeders, commercial breeders, hobby breeders, etc. They are doing nothing wrong under the law and last I checked this is a free country.
You may not like it (I don't either), but that is their right. I will never breed the dilute into my lines nor will I allow my lines to enter into their lines if I can help it. The best we can do is inform our buyers where and how the color originated in the breed. Like it or not, it is here to stay. There are those who want to improve their lines and others who just want to keep producing it. A lot of the dilute breeders are doing health clearances and a lot of people like that look.
I don't like the look or temperament of the field dogs. I don't breed into those lines. I don't like the look of dilute gene's affect on the three colors, I won't use those lines. But there does come a point after breeding so many generations to purebred Labs that they are considered purebred. The Weimaraner that was used 10 generations back has very little influence now other than it contributed the dilute gene. Just like when the stud books closed in 1917 and Retrievers were then separated into actual breeds. We still have certain influences such as the long-coated gene and the black and tan gene as well as the brindle gene. We just don't breed dogs that express those traits.
However, I say to each their own. Enjoy what you breed, educate those who want to listen, and don't worry about what others do.
The difference between breeding designer etc dogs, they are not registered with the AKC, correct? There are some very nice show dogs that are now appearing in these dilute/silver pedigrees, at least two CH/MH.
Well, you don't need to be snotty about it. Education is key here. We assume we all know about the dilute problem, probably the same way we all think we know about how to raise a litter yet someone was on here the other day feeding bananas to a 3 week old litter.
Dilutes are a problem. Educate when you can. Talk about it if necessary at your all breed kennel clubs as they don't often know about how silvers AREN'T a standard color. It's not a big deal to try to make the general public aware since they ARE registered dogs.
Let's try to inform folks that they are buying dogs that are disqualified against the standard. Sure, those into designer breeds and anything deemed "rare" won't be turned, but maybe we'll tell someone who hadn't known. Or remind one stud owner to be extra careful about who they sell to.
No harm no foul.
This website is a great idea!!! I wish there was a section where we could name known dilute breeders in alphabetical format so we could avoid them. There's one in my neighborhood I would like to add that recently duped a breeder. Jack Vanderwyk has the idea. Thank you to who ever it was that put this site together!!!
I'm confident it will never happen, Sue - if for no other reason than the parent club owns the standard. That together with having published a pretty blunt position statement on this subject give me a little faith for once.
Yes, why didn't more breeders react when they first showed up instead of a handful? Because they never thought it would amount to what it is today. If we all have that same mindset of sweeping a problem under the carpet, then it will never go away and only continue to get bigger. We already have enough breed health issues, so why do we need problems such as Dilute Alopecia which is a problem with Dilute Labradors and not Labradors of black, chocolate or yellow? I have to really disagree with your statement, this issue is not at all comparable to "designer dogs". This is about Labrador Retrievers and degrading the gene pool and our pedigrees. It is about dishonesty and ruining our hard work as breeders. It is about protecting our breed. If you want to close your eyes and turn your back and say "no big deal" then that is your choice. Others have spoken and lots of work has been done to protect our breed. Many breed clubs are posting anti-dilute statements. Judges are being educated. Breeders are posting statements on their websites. Hours and hours of pedigree research. It is paying off. This website is in it's infancy. So much more to come! It is never to late to take a stand and protect our breed. Thanks to everyone that is supportive and the many, many people behind the scenes around the world that have joined together to make a difference for "our" breed.
Funny stuff again on wiscoy!! Love the word silver and dilute and you all get your panties in a bunch! Love it
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LOL seen many field dogs lately? You just describe most of what are seen in field trials. Not my cup of tea. I don't see you going after the "whippets" and telling them not to perpetuate the myraid of faults the field trial dogs have. [/quote]
I was gonna say the same thing. Go to a hunt test or field trial and take a look.
Wordy asked - "So the dilute breeders are breeding for a certain look (color is in mind) but want to improve looks further (the type which is fieldy) like the field bred FT/HT dogs; If they had a dog with performance titles and clearances, would you breed to them to help improve their looks? "
In a word, NO. The dilute genes were introduced into the breed AFTER the Stud Books were closed. Their pedigrees have been falsified; no serious, responsible and reputable breeder is going to allow themselves to knowingly breed into a falsified pedigree. They have more respect and commitment to the bloodlines they've been entrusted with. Dilute breeders cannot say the same.....
Do breeders of field dogs care if their dogs are bred to dilutes?
Yes dilutes are discussed in field lab and hunting forums. There is always some negativity involved.
And yes some field breeders will breed to dilutes, knowingly. Some would not. Some screen more than others, especially for FC/AFC studs. But I don't think some breeders know pedigrees well enough to recognize dilute lines. Some dilute breeders don't try to dupe stud owners (they tell them the bitch is dilute) and take "no" if that's the answer to a breeding request.
I am very aware of all of this. I've seen the websites, the FB pages and posts on here. What I don't understand is why living in the Central Northeast I have never in my lifetime seen what they call silver or dilute dogs that even slightly resemble a labrador. I know they resemble Weims to a degree as that is how they brought those colors into Labradors. I don't consider them Labs. I call them mixed breeds, just like the designer breeds.
Where are these dogs going to when they sell a litter at the same prices we get for our Labs or more? I see plenty of designer breeds around, walking down the street in middle of my town or at the vets office. Usually they are mixtures of poodles and Labs called Labradoodles. They look like Standard Poodles that need a brush & comb through them or clipping. As I said, I have never seen a silver or charcoal supposed Labrador in the flesh.
So what areas are you ladies and gents from where you've actually seen these dogs or puppies? I'm curious at the least. I'm residing in the Central Northeast US, about 1 hour from the coastal area.
Thanks for any information.
They are everywhere. I recently found out there are 2 silver breeders in my area (< 15 miles away), I was surprised because I never see silver dogs anywhere around here. Both of these breeders have many many dogs too, one breeder has over 50 dogs! I found out they don't sell many pups locally but instead ship them all over the country. Most people looking for a pet won't spend what their asking for them especially when you can get a lab out of the newspaper for $400. Both of these breeders offer full registration (on approval, lol) for $500 more.
Can anyone post an endorsement or just breeders?
Anyone can post an endorsement!
I hope someone will post the information for the notodilute website on the other (hunt/trial/training) forums.