Last week we sent out a mail shot to every person that has registered on Pedigree Dogs.
We got some nice comments back, thanking us for the hard work that we are putting in, trying in our small way to educate the potential buyer of any kind of dog, of what they should be looking for in a reputable dog breeder.
A small number of people also have asked for more information in relation to writing articles for us.
The whole process has got me thinking, and I wonder if sometimes we’d be better off talking to the wall ?
Now I mean that in the best possible way, because I reckon that the majority of visitors to the Pedigree Dogs web site already know the correct way about going to purchase a puppy, and would only consider one from a reputable breeder whereby dual vetting has taken place.
So maybe it’s time to start thinking about another strategy.
Dog clubs & societies as well as breed clubs are holding more and more seminars, that is when they can find a free W/E or slot in the dog showing calendar.
Maybe we should ask ourselves, who is it that goes to these seminars ? Quite a lot of the seminars deal with breed specific conditions, detailing the latest tests that are available, combined with the most up to date knowledge presented by somebody suitably qualified to present the same.
The problem is, that the majority of the people that attend already comply with current health screening, and by going, are just keeping up to date with what is suggested.
The people we NEED to go to these seminars, those that have never heard of hip scoring, elbow and heart tests or say PRA don’t even know that these seminars are being held.
Adverts for the seminars are published in the Irish Dog Press and on club or individuals Facebook pages, but the people seeing these ads are the people that are already compliant.
We all moan about the people we see advertising litters or stud dogs on the general classified web sites, where there is no mention of the Sire or Dam having been screened, but maybe in their innocence or ignorance they think they are doing it by the book.
THESE are the people WE should be trying to get to attend these seminars.
Maybe as a suggestion, when a breed club or show society are next holding a breed seminar, would it be a good idea to scroll through the general classified web sites and contact via text message the people in the specific breeds that are advertising, advising them of the seminar with an invitation to attend ?
As in any religion, preaching to the converted is easy, but trying to gain new recruits has always proved difficult, and maybe there needs to be a few more missionaries amongst us, going out into the wilderness to try and turn around some of these pagan rogue breeders.
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