AKC Meet the Breeds in New York City

AKC Meet the Breeds Event

Javits Center, New York City

Oct. 17 & 18, 2009

By

Fran Prince, Public Education Committee

So let me tell you about "Meet the Breeds". What an incredible event!

First, about the people who staffed the booth:  I asked a few of my friends to help.  There was a couple from Frenchie Rescue because Rescue people always help. Another brought two Group placing champions, another brought a Rescue and three, like me,  brought thier companion Frenchies.  One companion dog is not from a very good breeder.  That meant the owner was able to talk about the problems (allergies and Juvenile Cataracts) that are plaguing her dog.  One has an import, she was totally duped.  The dog has many health issues.  One participant had an import from a supposedly reputable Breeder in Russia.  He lost his dog at age three to a brain disease, one big problem was no breeder support due to distance.  The final two booth workers each brought one Frenchie, each from a very different breeder representing very different breeder practices.  These two also made a good contrast.

So we had a range of dogs from champions to health challenged and we were able to show and discuss the differences.  Many people commented that their dogs looked like the rescues (who obviously had Hungarian/Eastern European background.) and they could begin to see and understand the differences.

It's SHOW TIME!!!!

According to the AKC, nearly 200 dog clubs and cat councils participated.  The booths took up 115,000 square feet of exhibit space.  Over 36,000 people attended over the two days.  AND, people paid to attend.  If tickets were bought online the charge was $10 for an adult, $6 for children 12 and under. If bought at the door, the charge was $12 for an adult, $8 for a child...and tickets were good for one day only.

There were vendors and educational demonstrations and even celebrities.  Among the celebrities were Whoopi Goldberg (co-host of "The View" and Mario Lopez (host of "Extra").  Both Goldberg and Lopez stopped by our booth and spend some time there. 

Whoopi Goldberg learning about Frenchies

Whoopi was interested

The questions we received were many as our booth was so popular. 

Questions:

What are Frenchie health issues?

Are they good with kids?

Are they good city dogs? (duh we are in NYC)

How much exercise do they need?

Do they bark?

These were the questions asked over and over again.

We told them that allergies are a common issue.. and allergies are inherited..and to ask the Breeder about that.  We told them to ask about the history.. to ask to meet an older dog, to meet several ages of dogs to see if there are allergies and the type of allergies and what other problems there might be.  We told them

to research, not just to take anyone's word.  We talked about how temperament is also inherited.  We mentioned that Eastern European Dogs can be more terrier like. 

Oh, people would say, "We got our dog from a breeder," and I would respond that anyone who puts two dogs together is a "breeder," reputable was STRESSED over and over again. How do we convey the idea of what an ethical breeder is .. a caring loving, person who understands what it is to read a pedigree, do genetic testing, etc.   A person who will take back a dog if you can't keep it for some reason. The public does not get it.. They ALL bought their dog from a "breeder."   Michael Vick was a "breeder" after all..

Kids came over and wanted to pet and all the dogs were great.  Of course we knew our dogs and knew how they would behave.  We continuously told people that common sense is key, that Frenchies must have training from day one.  We said that Frenchies are not easy to housebreak.  My dog was seven months old before I knew she "got" it.  We did not soft pedal anything.  Our dogs are wonderful but not easy.  They have minds of their own, this small dog is going to rule the roost unless you take charge with a loving and gentle, yet firm hand.

Another point that we made over and over was that Frenchies are not shoes, you don't order a "pied."  What is born is born.  One woman stopped by and asked about a Blue.. gag... and I informed her that they are DQ.  "Really?," she said, "So how come they're more expensive?"  I responded that the breeder would be considered unethical, then I asked if she had a Frenchie.  "Yes," she said.  "And is she intact?" I asked.  "Yes."  "Why is she intact?"  Her answer was, "Why not?"   End of conversation.  There were many people there who had dreams of breeding.  We did our utmost to discourage them unless they wanted to do it the proper way.

Our booth seemed to be the most popular.  There was a constant traffic jam.  At one point I realized my dog HAD to go out and I was almost rude..Just one question..She REALLY needs to go..Finally I picked her up and just ran out to the ex-pen area..you could almost hear the sigh of relief as she went..LOL people would not let us leave to take the dogs..none of us got lunch.  People just kept on coming..questions... adoration...more questions...more adoration.

Our booth looked great!

More of our booth

One group who came to us were the people who had already purchased dogs from petshops; puppymillers; and importers.  Their dogs had terrible issues.  It broke my heart.  We tried to help them.  One petshop in New York City is notorious for selling sick Frenchies with multiple problems.  Happily people who had been burned were glad to give that name to others. 

I think we did dissuade several people from purchasing.  Our rescue Frenchie at the booth was a mill breeder who came in with no hair from mange.  Even now, from her multiple litters, she has huge teats and shows the wear and tear of those awful years.  We told her story over and over to warn about petshop puppies.

We truly felt that we educated people about our dogs.. about how special they are.. about the need to support reputable breeding..not to buy from backyardbreeders, millers or importers.  We touched many.

What is needed is more hands on member participation.. getting people out there with quality companion dogs for people to meet.. to see what our dogs are and should be.  We also need rescue dogs to show how much can go wrong. 

It was a long 2 days but I can't wait for next year.  We will have more dogs, our dogs just couldn't take a break.  it was hard on them.  Even as we closed down on Sunday , people followed us saying, "Look!! Frenchies!!" and questions all the way out the door.

A week later, each and every volunteer has contacted me, to tell me what a fantastic day it was. To offer their time and effort again for next year..That is how important "Meet the Breeds" is.

It's late!!  We're tired!!!!!!

Ours is one of THE Breeds and we need to work to protect it. 
This is a GREAT way, it's fun and you can hear yourself making a difference.