AgileGSD:My point in posting was that when breeding for sport or work, the dogs in your breeding program would need to be dogs who actually DO the job you are breeding for. It wasn't really an issue of ethics at all, just an issue of how successful breeding works.
And once again, I agree. I still can't find the info I want on his lineage. For all I know, his Sibe parent could have come from a winning line, and just as likely not. So, I had no basis to assume that he came from a proven line. But my primary concerns at the time (early 2005) when I had offers to have him sire a litter, was the logistics of caring for a litter and guarantees of good homes which couldn't be guaranteed, though you can't guarantee that with purebreds, either. What, you might say? Well, in our one shelter in our rural farming county I found a Shiba Inu. How does a fairly rare dog like that wind up here? Because it's nearly impossible to guarantee good forever homes. I actually agree with you. And just look at the reaction to my hypothetical case. I don't know how many more times I can say that I agree with you. And I acted ethically in Shadow's case. I know just enough about breeding and whelping the real world of unwanted dogs to stay out of it.
FWIW, if I were in a place to seriously dog sled, I still wouldn't breed. I would rescue dogs and build a team that would work for me.
The way you treat your dog in this life determines your place in heaven. - chukchi proverb
