3 breeds newly recognized by AKC

[Truman's Mom]

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/379938...als/?GT1=43001

[mezmerelda]

I'm curious how our Leo people feel about this.

[2amazonblondes]

Well, the good news is, perhaps fewer people wil ask "Hey,what kind of dog is that?" or, " Is that a Golden mix?" The bad news is perhaps every idiot in the world will now want that "big furry dog". Sometimes it's best to be under the radar.

[Hounds_N_Leo]

IMO...bring it on. The AKC is not the be all end all and nor is it a death sentence. Plenty on the Leo L are all morose and doom and gloom. Whatever...it is the PEOPLE inside a breed that ruin it or make it better..period. The rest is just excuses for people placing dogs where they shouldn't. Let's do this!

[2amazonblondes]

On a lighter note, yesterday at the dog park, I saw a Leo owner approaching with her dog ( a rare occurrence). I couldn't resist. I called out.." Hey! What kind of dog is THAT?...ya got a saddle for that thing?" She looked over,saw my two Leos, and just cracked up laughing.

[leomom]

I have very mixed feelings about this. I'm glad because I love the breed and believe they make a great addition to the right family, but I'm also worried. We all know the ramifications of people who decide on a dog because they are cute, or fluffy or whatever, but don't do their research. Suddenly they have this huge dog that needs quite a bit of grooming, and they decide its now too much work, too expensive, whatever. It's a risk whenever a breed comes to the public eye. I'm just keeping my fingers crossed that the Leo breeders are careful about who they sell to. Heidi is a product of a backyard breeder, and though she's come a long way, it breaks my heart everyday knowing the kind of dog she could have been, had she been properly socialized and not used just for a mommy machine. Only time will tell.

[ALDOGMOM]

I have mixed feelings about this also...At the end of the day, it is up to the breeders to keep the wrong dog out of the hands of the wrong owners...

[Hounds_N_Leo]

yep AND to keep their dogs looking however they want them to look lol.
Bearing in mind that Leo's really were not bred for a purpose beyond a "look" so really not sure what the worry is about the show ring changing them...the founder wanted a large imposing dog that resembled the town crest of Leonberg...seems like looks were about all there was to it for many years...if the dogs get bigger or more head or more coat I really don't think the breed founder would actually mind. But that is not the best thing for any dog so we'll have to see what happens...but as far as "the intended spirit of the breeds founder" it was all about looks, and size.

[mezmerelda]

I don't think we can count on breeders, even the reputable ones, to place dogs appropriately. They all have reasons and biases, and that will drive them to place (or not place) dogs appropriately, and will cause good people to go to Craig's List.

[Hounds_N_Leo]

and Rescue, and Shelters too. It's not all bad. Education is key...you might get turned down but you should also be educated. You can't fix stupid nope and someone bound and determined to get a Cane Corso is going to get one eventually...that is the case PRE-AKC recog...and it is the case now. So really...no big change. When I had Akitas I spent a lot of time NOT recommending my breed to other people...because of the various tough things about them. I know the drill...lol. Heck even with a breed as "easy" as Beagles I still turn people away...but I never do so in a nasty manner. I tell them WHY and you know I have never had someone get nasty with me. I point them to rescue and to other breeds even that might work out better...

Bottom line is that if a breed is rare and the people in it are so closed off and afraid then their breed will not be around long because new blood and interest is always key to keeping lines and breeding programes going. Best place to look for the next gen of Leo breeders is the shows...IMO...more likely to find people who understand genetics and inbreeding coefficients there, than thru a puppy placement with a pet home after all.

eta: as I mentioned elsewhere the Cane Corso people are much worse off than the other two breeds simply because of the temperament on the dogs, the look and WHO that look, will attract...in this climate of anti Bully or anything that LOOKS like one...it could get tough for them.