Breeder Wisdom from Steph Meyer

In response to a Weimaraner group discussion about Blue Weimaraners:

Just catching up on this thread on my lunch break from 3 very hectic days at work. As I sit here and reflect on my last 36 hours…. A teen who missed prom because of chemo treatments, a newborn baby who can’t gain weight and not even the brightest minds can figure it out, the smiles from finally gaining the trust of a 4 year old poked so many times parents quit counting and earning that winning smile… I think- wow, these are real world problems. These folks don’t even know what a Weimaraner is nor do they care. They have bigger issues to deal with.

I then read this and think everyone needs to step back and look at the bigger picture and keep some perspective. This is what we are arguing time and time again about? We are all on the same team! Preserving the Weimaraner breed, but enjoying our HOBBY. It may be your life’s passion but it is a very small part of the world around us.

Passion in any hobby is paramount and should be! But passion should not cloud our ability to see past what ONLY we believe.

Here’s my thoughts:

1. A DQ is a DQ. Period. Deviation in height, distinctly long coat, distinctly blue or black coat. One is not worse than another and we can’t pick and choose. Whatever actions you choose regarding those, whatever your beliefs are, whatever justifications you make regarding them, are your own. You choose that path and live the journey. That path may have consequences and may not. It’s yours to own, not any one else’s.

2. People will always make decisions that we don’t agree with. So be it. If you personally don’t like the decisions someone makes, then don’t do business with them. You don’t have to!

3. If you have concerns about the decisions or actions someone has taken, contact them directly and discuss it. Elitist, slanderous innuendos on social media is not the way to handle things. It’s hurtful and mean. In team communication, triangulation is a sure recipe for disaster.

4. Give people the benefit of the doubt! Help each other. Be nice to each other. You do not have to agree with someone to be nice. If we kill each other off, then the doodleschnoodle breeders will take over the dog industry for sure. Most people in the general public know or want one of those more than a purebred right now.

5. If you find someone’s actions so egregious that you have concerns for them being a member of the WCA, then follow the by-law procedures in place , pay the fee and file a formal complaint. Understand by doing this though, what is your true purpose? Will this change their actions and their path? Most likely not. Remember, you have your path and they have theirs. We can not control others’ journeys.