Yes, we worry about being inadvertent promoters of this here in the
northeast, too, where Farm Collies are now pretty unknown, everyone has labs
or goldens, and the *doodle phenomenon took hold easily. In obedience class
we saw some of the worst temperamented and ugliest goldendoodles you can
imagine, and know that the owners all paid handsomely for this "dog to
have." I have only seen two other ESs in this area, and everyone we meet
wants to know what kind of gorgeous, well-behaved and good family dog ours
is. One woman who had a young Wheaten (another breed which had a brief
popularity burst because it seems so attractive, but suffers like BCs and
dalmations once everyone discovers its true character) actually said, having
met our dog, "Wow, I think I bought the wrong dog..." Now I catch myself
singing his praises a bit less in public and wondering if I should just say
he's a mix, as many suppose when they first see him, looking at that sable
coat through the eyes of people with the GR myopia that's so intense around
here.

Pam

-----Original Message-----
From: Farm Collie Breed Conservancy and Restoration
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Kathi
Sent: Saturday, January 06, 2007 11:46 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [FARMCOLLIE] warning for breeders

Never the less we have ES that are being sold from pet stores.  NESR has
rescued some of these puppies that end up in the wrong homes.  They are
paying a lot of money for them too.  We also just rescued 2 ES that were
being auctioned (breeders) at a puppymill auction.  Let's hope they are
never "the breed to have."

Kathi Tesarz
www.tesarzservices.com


> -----Original Message-----
> From: Farm Collie Breed Conservancy and Restoration
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of jana lashmit
> Sent: Saturday, January 06, 2007 5:35 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: [FARMCOLLIE] warning for breeders
>
> I have to wonder though, why would ES be an enticing breed for a
> puppymill?  Most of the dogs in pet stores tend to be small - poo mixes,
> maltese, poms, dachshunds.  If it's a large breed, it's likely a
> labradoodle, boxer, lab, golden - something common (or unique, like a
> dogue de bordeaux).  But most people don't even know what an English
> Shepherd is.  They aren't exotic or glamorous.  You'd think that would
> make them safely under the radar of the puppymiller.
>
>   Jana