Hi Jac!
I totally agree that my idea would be unfeasible in the US... it's simply too large with too many dogs and breeders! It may be a pipe dream anywhere! I also think it's probably best if people join any organization voluntarily... otherwise they just find ways around the rules anyway! The one from Germany I heard described is volunteer and it offers the quality seal that you mentioned rather than being obligatory
. Apparently most of the breeders in Germany are part of it though
I think things operate very differently in Europe and especially Scandinavia where populations are so much smaller (we have 9 million people in Sweden as opposed to the 350 million you have in the us) and therefor much easier to control. Plus the federal governments already exercise a lot of control over animal care, rights, registration etc. For example we have a nearly insignificant stray population and all dogs must be identified with a chip or tattoo and be legally registered with the government. I think that registration of this sort holds people more accountable to their animals from the get go!
Isn't it tricky to find the balance between developing a system which furthers the well being of dogs and the development of breeds while still respecting breeders rights? I don't think I have any solutions to that one! I know that you breed some beautiful, healthy, lovely dogs that aren't "approved", but you are a responsible, knowledgeable person who is consciously making decisions, taking fabulous care with your animals and who no one could possibly find fault with! I was thinking more along the lines of uneducated people or people who want to chip in but don't have the knowledge or resources to embark on a professional, full scale, breeding program. We don't have a single labradoodle breeder in Sweden! Our Hagrid came from Denmark.. and there is only one in Denmark that I know of! Basically I'm dreaming up a system that would work for me where I live
Thanks for taking the time to reply to me