Great Pyrenees Breeders Study Group

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Comment by Donna Harris on December 4, 2008 at 12:04pm

Yahoo! U.S. Classifieds "For Sale" and "Pets" are retired! I see they have stopped this and I think that is great. There are too many puppy mills out there and less than savy people who want to sell dogs.

Comment by Carrie Stuart Parks on October 5, 2008 at 4:16pm

Hi all,

I wrote this on the art/writers page, but it applies to the breed/breeders page as well.

I'd like to make a few comments that haven't seen the light of day (except for the ears of my dear friend, Kerry.)

Back in the olden days, or once upon a time, I was asked to illustrate the Great Pyrenees standard. I don't know that anyone knows what really happened, so the one thing about the internet, it's a great place to print the truth.

First a correction. Sorry, Whit, but I was correct at the National in stating there were THREE standard revision committees, of which mom (Evelyn Stuart) and Judy Bankus Cooper served on two. The first didn't result in any changes. Guess that was before your time in the GPCA.

Anyway, I was chair of the illustrated standard committee way back then. I purchased the requested books on correct names for dog structure, did some sketches on style and technique, collected photos, but was waiting for the GPCA to pass on a new standard. I was on this committee for two years, waiting for the standard to pass/change before starting the drawings. I was donating my time and drawings. No charge. As in free. As in I'm a professional artist and this is what I do for a living.

The standard passed.

I started on the book illustrations. Four months later or so (the exact timing is a matter of record), my name is no longer listed as chair of this committee. Now Whit Coombs is the chair. No phone calls, no letter, just whoops, new chair.

I called JoAnn Teems and asked what the deal was. She said I wasn't fast enough, another artist was given the task.

For $5000.

It took (I think) at least another year. So much for speed.

Now, there are some nice things in this illustration. But there are some poor illustrations. For example, the overall side view looks like a Golden Retriever. Pyrs have coat behind the head. Coat that stand out. Not flat.

I have since gone on to write and illustrate three books on how to draw for Northlight Publishers.

So.... What's the big problem with fixing the illustrations in the illustrated standard? Cost? Jeepers, I said once I'd do it for free. The offer still goes.

And, since I have your attention, there are some poor (I'm being very nice at this point) illustrations in the Judges slide show.

What's the problem with using the abilities and talents of members willing to donate their time and energy? Who seems to have a vested interest in maintaining status quo mediocre art?

Comment by pat ramapuram on September 25, 2008 at 9:20am

Part of it is one's opinion about flying around the ring. Including the Pyrs! Some Pyrs just can't seem to get above a slow jog and others can't seem to slow down. The ones with long powerful strides can cover a lot of ground though and the handler may have to hustle to keep up! Some handlers encourage a faster trot to try to showcase a beautiful stride and if you watch a Pyr in the field they too have a long powerful stride Although in a true guarding situation they have a tendency to expend only the absolute minimum of energy- saving their true power for when the need arises. Me I personally don't want a Pyr that just pitty pats along- if he has somewhere to go I want him to look like he going there!

Comment by pat ramapuram on September 21, 2008 at 3:39pm

Hard to believe but this is a Pyr=Chihuahua mix!

Comment by Marion-Silvia Diener on September 13, 2008 at 4:16am

In Estonia we do not have the designer breeders yet! We have a problem with "breeders" who mix different breeds or mongrels and sell them under name pure breed puppies. When you ask about the papers they answer is that they will be sent later or something similar. When ever there is a new breed in Estonia they start to sell their mongrels under these breeds names. The Pyr in Estonia is new breed and I know every single dog in this country. I have found puppy adds for Pyr and this has made me angry.

Comment by Carrie Stuart Parks on September 12, 2008 at 9:41am

Um, you might note the ad on the side of this page--Australian Labradoodles...
Is there a way we can get this off the page?

Comment by Michelle Kay on September 11, 2008 at 7:41pm

Pat, A lot of people think their "designer dog" is a new or rare breed or believe the cross will be recognized by the AKC eventually because that's what the breeders are telling them.
I believe there are also "alternate" registries who will register the designer mixes...I have heard more than once about someone's registered (insert prefix) oodle.
Unaware puppy buyers often don't know the difference between the AKC, CAN.KC, CON.KC, etc...They just hear "parents with papers" or "registered" & they are sold.

Comment by Linda Schreiber on September 11, 2008 at 6:59pm

Thanks to all who have added their observations & experience with 'designer' dogs, I did not realize that our breed was part of this new culture. Unfortunately if any of these dogs have a bad temperment it will be blamed on the guardian. "Ans" comment about Pyr-Rotty cross is very scary. When will people learn, mixed breeds can be perfectly wonderful companions but to purposefully play around is just plain wrong.
That's it for me on this one.
Linda

Comment by pat ramapuram on September 11, 2008 at 2:22pm

I saw a Pyr-Berner cross and it was absolutely stunning!! What was originally an accidental breeding the person repeated cause the interest and demand was there. Also a couple months back somebody corssed a Pyr and a Poodle and was advertising as the latest designer breed Good Lord!!! What's wrong with just having a purebred?

Comment by Ans on September 11, 2008 at 1:37pm

Doesn not only happen in the USA ..........

A new "breed" for Nothern Europe the last few years:
cross Pyrenees-Rottweiler

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