Hi all,
I hope you don't mind me posting, this is a first for me, but given recent events would like some sound and serious advice, and please, don't be backwards in coming forwards.
My partner and I have had Italian Greyhounds for just over seven years. We now have 6 !! And being a gluten for punishment have never said no, I used to be the alpha male in the house! Now I get a corner of the room, haha. But wouldn't have it any other way.
For a little history many moons ago we started with one Italian, what a star, she was our first, we knew little about the breed but loved their caring nature, a year later I sold my car- my pride and joy so we could get another.
Through this my better half got into showing, and granted we have had positive and negative experiences, broken legs being one of these but the pleasure and happiness outweighs all this.
Fast forward to the present. We now have six! We hit brick walls at all corners, breeders wouldn't talk to us, my better half having been a horse show expert wanted to show ours, so slowly we bred our own. At shows, instead of being greeted we have been met with disdain, comments of all kinds behind careless whispers thrown in our direction, why, I really do not know.
Despite this we carried on, I've always been there to support my wife and so suggested we join the Italian greyhound club, that way we can seek advice from those that have far more experience on our younger years, but no joy, an application sent and no response. We're even kennel club assured breeders.
This week, I receive a call from my wife after a show, in tears. Yet again, kicked and mentally abused by an Italian owner. Your dogs are no good, you've bred the wrong lines, "if I was you I would clear them all out and start again"! "Being an assured breeder means nothing, anyone can get that status". And I doubt anyone would let you have a show quality IG. "I'd sign her over to the rescue society"
So my question is this, and granted not all owners are the same, but, Where can someone go for sound and friendly advice? Somewhere you can just enjoy being around similar like minded folk? Show ring or just a society gathering?
I'll travel the earth to be there, just to see my wife smile and not become apprehensive and worried the night before a show because of the demeaning nature of so many show folk.
I ask because I'm not sure just how much more punishment she can take. I fully understand its a competition, and so does she, but how are folk supposed to progress and learn without help. We're relatively young, perhaps that's why other breeders don't talk to us, but surely by that very same token we're supposed to be the people to keep the breed showing?
Apologies for the rant, but on a very serious note I don't know how much longer I can keep letting my wife endure this, her experiences over the last year have been tenter mount to bullying and I don't know what else I can do to support her.
Thanks in anticipation
Joe
I hope you don't mind me posting, this is a first for me, but given recent events would like some sound and serious advice, and please, don't be backwards in coming forwards.
My partner and I have had Italian Greyhounds for just over seven years. We now have 6 !! And being a gluten for punishment have never said no, I used to be the alpha male in the house! Now I get a corner of the room, haha. But wouldn't have it any other way.
For a little history many moons ago we started with one Italian, what a star, she was our first, we knew little about the breed but loved their caring nature, a year later I sold my car- my pride and joy so we could get another.
Through this my better half got into showing, and granted we have had positive and negative experiences, broken legs being one of these but the pleasure and happiness outweighs all this.
Fast forward to the present. We now have six! We hit brick walls at all corners, breeders wouldn't talk to us, my better half having been a horse show expert wanted to show ours, so slowly we bred our own. At shows, instead of being greeted we have been met with disdain, comments of all kinds behind careless whispers thrown in our direction, why, I really do not know.
Despite this we carried on, I've always been there to support my wife and so suggested we join the Italian greyhound club, that way we can seek advice from those that have far more experience on our younger years, but no joy, an application sent and no response. We're even kennel club assured breeders.
This week, I receive a call from my wife after a show, in tears. Yet again, kicked and mentally abused by an Italian owner. Your dogs are no good, you've bred the wrong lines, "if I was you I would clear them all out and start again"! "Being an assured breeder means nothing, anyone can get that status". And I doubt anyone would let you have a show quality IG. "I'd sign her over to the rescue society"
So my question is this, and granted not all owners are the same, but, Where can someone go for sound and friendly advice? Somewhere you can just enjoy being around similar like minded folk? Show ring or just a society gathering?
I'll travel the earth to be there, just to see my wife smile and not become apprehensive and worried the night before a show because of the demeaning nature of so many show folk.
I ask because I'm not sure just how much more punishment she can take. I fully understand its a competition, and so does she, but how are folk supposed to progress and learn without help. We're relatively young, perhaps that's why other breeders don't talk to us, but surely by that very same token we're supposed to be the people to keep the breed showing?
Apologies for the rant, but on a very serious note I don't know how much longer I can keep letting my wife endure this, her experiences over the last year have been tenter mount to bullying and I don't know what else I can do to support her.
Thanks in anticipation
Joe
All I can say is that there used to be an active IG forum on here but it is now rarely used... however going back to the days when it was used, there was often negativity and bitching and back stabbing going on. I know this might not be any help to you, but I wonder if this is common amongst IGs rather than being a personal attack on yourselves :unsure: Really sorry to hear this and hope it improves soon. Every breeder needs to learn their breed from those more experienced than themselves and it sounds as though you are trying to go in the right direction, best of luck in the future :cheers:
