Page 20 - Chow Life - Winter 2017

Big things often come

from small beginnings By Dr. Carmen Battaglia

Over the years one can find many those in society, are always risky Studying how they are used to achieve
examples of an event which at the because they usually bring with them certain goals involves a search for
time seemed small and unimportant unwanted damage. What has gone the motive and the desired objective.
only to be later learned that it unnoticed about this storm is how the Many times the goal is subtle and not
had grown large with unintended animal rights movement has used a easily noticeable. Understanding how
consequences. It was the repeated series of undefined labels to drive the the change agents use the “labeling
occurrence of these scenarios that winds that have already altered and process” is key to understanding how
eventually led to the expression, big changed the dog world. Until now, they are able to drive their programs.
things often-times come from small most of these changes have gathered This is important in today’s climate
beginnings. little national interest. Now however, because the breeders seem to enjoy
In this regard, there is now within through the use of well crafted-labels using the undefined labels without
the dog world a chain of events that they are able to describe a person, ever knowing their meaning or
has been defined as more than just thing or event in either a positive or purpose and more importantly who
an annoyance. These are a series of negative light. Over the years they will become their next victim.
small events that can be described as have learned how to use the power One of the newest labels gaining
a gathering storm but, unlike those of of the undefined label to capture the in popularity has been designed to
the past, this storm is being driven by interests and attention of the public, make the breeder its victim and their
forces that are connected pups the target. It’s called
in unusual ways. At its the "responsible breeder".
center is the repeated and One of the newest labels gaining in What makes this label so
effective use of several popularity has been designed to make dangerous is the attention it
undefined labels. They the breeder its victim and their pups the calls to the quality of the pups
have become the primary produced. What makes it
tool that fuels these target. It’s called the "responsible breeder". politically correct is the fact
turbulent winds. The that it has many meanings
storm is being driven by and interpretations and most
the fundamental idea that breeders importantly, it offers everyone who
should do the right thing. The the clubs and the breeders. "does the right thing" the opportunity
motivating argument for this comes The use of labels to drive ideas is to label themselves a breeder.
from the Animal Rights Movement not new in an industrialized society. Underneath its exterior however, is
which identifies the expectation that Advertising agencies and political the special emphasis it brings to the
a responsible breeder would analyze campaigns use them to influence quality of the pups being produced
his/her pedigrees for problems using policy, regulations and elections. The and sold. It assumes that if a pup
DNA technology and the other hotter the issue, the more dramatic is of poor quality, unhealthy or has
certifications, tests and protocols that the pitch and the more clever the something wrong, it should not be
are available (OFA, CERF, PENN HIP strategy. When the issue is ideological, bred. Most breeders agree with this
etc). The idea, of course, is popular, labels are used to energize supporters. notion and respond by selling their
but for those who study these events They are also used on websites to pups without AKC registration
and how they are used to influence announce the issues and promote papers, or with a limited registration
the future, it seems clear that the the problems. When combined, they or perhaps a spay/neuter contract.
conditions are now right for a disaster. become the important vehicles for The underlying assumption is that
Unfortunately, there is no authority influencing opinions and changing they are being "responsible breeders"
in the dog world who can say with perceptions. Sociologists call this the and would not want to continue
any certainty how much damage this “labeling process". Their studies focus to produce low quality pups given
storm will cause. What is certain is on the groups and organizations that the technology and protocols that
that it has now reached a level that use the labels to exploit a situation, are available. The latter point is key
makes it a clear and present target a group or identify a victim. to the strategy. The notion that the
danger. In this regard, the “labeling process" unsound and unhealthy should not
Storms in a sport, like is best known as an applied method. be sold for breeding is fundamental
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