I have been involved in the "sport" of dogs for over 35 years. Showing, breeding, training, and grooming them. I operated a dog boarding and grooming kennel for several years, have taught basic obedience classes, and participated in pet visitation in my community. I was the President and Show Secretary of an All Breed Dog Club, Shamrock Kennel & Obedience Club, for several years. I currently am the Treasurer for the Miniature Schnauzer Club of Canada. I still operate a pet grooming business, A Cut Above as a side-line to my full-time career as a Public Health Inspector. Since as long as I can remember, I have always been an avid dog lover. I can't think of a time in my life when I didn't have at least one dog. Over the years I have had many breeds. My family always had dogs... and they were always purebred. I remember going to dog shows as a child with my mother... back in the day when dog shows were still "benched". Wow... I'm really dating myself!

For a time, I worked in a few veterinarian offices. I learned much about the many genetic problems dogs can suffer from... and an early appreciation of what responsible breeding was all about. I have kept a keen interest in veterinary medicine over the years... I feel it is important to be well educated about the health of our dogs, particularly in the field of genetics.

Breeding dogs... good ones, at least... is not easy. There is much to consider. I know that there are many "dog breeders" out there... blissfully ignorant of the damage they are doing to their breed. They only wish to breed purebred puppies, and care not about genetic testing or potential health problems. They don't have to be the dreaded "puppy mill" to do damage... they can just as easily be your neighbour who wants a litter of puppies off their family pet. They take her down the street... or across town, perhaps, to another of the same breed. That's about as much planning as goes into it. I owe much to my mentor, Catherine McMillan of Minuteman Miniature Schnauzers for her extensive knowledge, and her willingness to share it with me and many others.

As a dog groomer I see problems all too often... beloved family pets that suffer from a myriad of inherited problems. The owners of these dogs just wanted a "pet"... they didn't care about papers or anything else. However, sometimes what they get turns into a nightmare of vet bills, with their pets deteriorating before their very eyes. It's all so sad... and usually so preventable.

There is always some risk of genetic problems cropping up in any breeding... you only have to look at our own species. Sometimes, things just happen. Unfortunately, there aren't tests available for every known genetic disease. However, a good breeder does their best. A good breeder tests for what they can. As some diseases are late onset, a good breeder keeps in touch with the puppies they produce to be kept aware of anything that might develop over the years. A good breeder investigates the genetic background of the dogs that she breeds, to help lessen the possibility of producing a problem. A good breeder only breeds healthy dogs... one's that aren't affected by genetic problems at the time of breeding. A good breeder cares about the puppies she produces. She wants to be kept informed of their progress, is prepared to take them back should the need arise, and is willing to offer advise and help with any questions or problems. A good breeder doesn't just take your money and then dissappear. Doesn't your next puppy deserve to come from a reputable breeder?