Responsible Breeder Quotes

He shouldn’t have been surprised she knew of the isenulf, the white wolves bred to go into battle with the drüskelle. They were bigger than ordinary wolves, and though they were trained to obey their masters, they never lost the wild, indomitable streak that separated them from their distant domesticated cousins. It had been hard to think about Fjerda, the life he’d left behind for good, but he made himself speak, eager for any way to distract her. “Sometimes there are more wolves than drüskelle, sometimes more drüskelle than wolves. The wolves decide when to mate, with little influence from the breeder. They’re too stubborn for that.” Nina had smiled, then winced in pain. “Keep going,” she whispered. “The same family has been breeding the isenulf for generations. They live far north near Stenrink, the Ring of Stones. When a new litter arrives, we travel there by foot and by sledge, and each drüskelle chooses a pup. From then on, you are each other’s responsibility. You fight beside each other, sleep on the same furs, your rations are your wolf’s rations. He is not your pet. He is a warrior like you, a brother.

Mary, however in typical matter of fact fashion, does not see any conflict in her multiple roles. “You know, rescue people often ask why breeders keep breeding dogs when there are so many unwanted dogs that have to be put down every year. My answer is that responsible breeders produce the best puppies for a long and healthy life, creating an opportunity for a fabulous human/canine bond that is based on a breeds particular attributes.” Mary loves the breed and enjoys all the time she spends with them, but she also takes her role as a breeder very seriously. “Do not over produce, do health testing and breed to improve the overall quality of the dog,” she implores. “And educate a potential dog owner about your breed so that you and they can be sure the dog is right for them.” Mary Remer, in the essay 'What a Good Dog!