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their mixed breed rescue. They won’t know what program. This has worked well for years.
you’re talking about. And beyond all of that, as a Chow Chow owner,
• Tell them the importance of good breeding stock you need to continuously socialize your Chow. Yes,
and the research good breeders put into pedi- you might have a big yard in the country. Pack up
grees, genetics, longevity, health issues in the line, a Chow or two and bring them into town. Sunday
etc. mornings are best. You know how people are around
• Inform them that the vast majority of purebred Chow Chows. And, while we’re at it, be nice to peo-
ple at the dog shows. I’ve been there when I’m ready
dogs go to companion homes. Those dogs won’t to go into the ring and someone asks why my dog’s
see a show ring. But the people (vetted well tongue is purple. I’m stressed, but I’m nice and ask
by the breeder) who purchase the dog want a them to cheer on my dog and then meet me back in
healthy dog whose breed traits they are ready for the grooming area where I can tell them more about
and a good breeder that will be there to answer the breed. The person you dis or are dismissive to at
questions. the show just might be a county commissioner.
Tom and I sold a puppy to a family in Maine in 2018. There’s much more I convey from the conference,
They had no intention of showing her. But they but I know you want to go back to look at the Chow
wanted a dog that was “good under the hood” (their pictures. But let me leave you with this: The AKC
words). Buyers are happy. Breeders are happy. Dog is doing a great job (don’t hear that too often!) in
is the happiest. That’s the advantage of a purebred advocacy. But they are not everywhere. If you hear
from a responsible breeder. of a piece of legislation or regulation dealing with
But what do we, as purebred dog owners/breeders to dogs coming up in your county, call the AKC Gov-
do with this wave of ARs infesting our county gov- ernment Relations Department at 919-816-3600.
ernments? Here are a few suggestions: Ask for Shelia (shg@akc.org) or someone from her
• Get involved in local government. Go to fund- department. And, if said legislation/regulation men-
tions Chow Chows, call AKC then contact me at
raisers. Go to public hearings. Introduce your- djstrachan62@gmail.com
self to your representative.

• Drop a line to you representative and let them
know you are a responsible purebred breeder
of Chow Chows. Invite them to your website/
Facebook page. Offer your services if they have
questions regarding dogs.
• If you’re regional club or, better yet, all-breed
club has a match, invite the county council to at-
tend. Have them judge “Friendliest Dog”. Make
sure the local media is there. Politicians love to
hold puppies more than they like to hold babies.
• Be responsible in your breeding. I can’t say this
enough. If you’re in it just to sell puppies or to
win shows, I personally feel you are a burden to
the rest of us and are just giving fuel to the AR’s
agenda.
• And, this is Dan talking, not the AKC, but con-
sider reaching out and meeting the ARs. Many
of them are uneducated and believe the propa-
ganda the ARs pushes on them without ques-
tion. But if you are nice and non-judgmental,
you can make headway in educating them on
purebred dogs. Here in Maryland, my all breed
club always has a booth at the local SPCA “Puppy
Plunge” event. We provide AKC materials on re-
sponsible dog ownership and have purebreds out
there to meet and greet. The SPCA knows that if
they get a purebred in, they are to contact us and
we will get them in touch with the breed’s rescue

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