Chat Lines / Forums
The suggested intent of most chat lines is to trade ideas, ask questions, share learning experiences and help others. Most internet forums stick to devotional gushing over a particular subject and invite other happy addicts to join in, trading health information, diminishing myths, and encouraging other thru problems.
For the most part, the Chinese Crested breed has entwined devotees who share their passion, experiences and dedication to this unique little dog. We are all nuts about our Cresteds and love trading stories.
Sadly, this once-healthy club of devotees has been dirtied by a select group of gossipers who choose to spend time trashing the good name of others, including some wonderful breeders who have passed away. And, as expected from a coward, they remain nameless, faceless - hiding behind made up names and places.
Ignore gossip. Simply because it is repeated online does not make it the truth. Also, ownership of one or two dogs does not make the person an expert - it only makes them the owner of one or two dogs - and nothing else.
Snipey comments are occasionally made about breeders who happen to have an abnormally large number of championships wins under their belt. Sometimes, the comments have a kernel of truth to them - sometimes - its just plain old sour grapes.
Unfortunately, there exist Chat Lines where entry is carefully guarded by "Forum Nazis" - monitors who refuse entry if one does not subscribe to their personal theories. Translation. You can not enter a "free speech forum" unless some faceless nobody approves you for entry. Apparently, free speech is not an option.
Subjects are presented by small people who shelter their true identity, yet shamelessly and brazenly bash the reputation of breeders who they have never visited. Since entry to the site is guarded, usually, the breeder being bashed does not have the ability to respond. Furthermore, any difference in opinion appears to be the sole platform for internet humiliation, scorn and criticism.
These individuals angrily "right" some vague perceived wrong, by hurling smears against a breeder who somehow, someway, refused to cooperate w/ their snoopy interrogation. A seasoned breeder is usually able to quickly determine if questions stem from a bona fide buyer, or another breeder who is simply attempting to qualify their competition. A difference in opinion appears to be the sole platform for public humiliation, scorn and criticism.
Some competitive lizards waste precious time contacting breeders, pretending to be buyers, and asking questions that clearly mark themselves as non-buyers. Breeders rapidly recognize the ruse, stop the waste of time/energy, only to find themselves later being clobbered for days on the internet. For some reason, these folks feel righteous when inventing flimsy stories while robbing an honest business of time and information. They feel no shame in sneaking around, attempting to gather facts that have nothing to do with them. These self-righteous people head to the chat lines with no good intentions. The forum entry is guarded, therefore the breeder is not permitted entry, allowing scandalous behavior to remain secure. They claim their forums are for "the good of the breed". Some individuals encourage others on the chat line to behave in the same ridiculous manner, including making threats. Some threaten verbally and foolishly, thru email. Some threaten that more wrath will fall upon the breeder for not conforming to their ways.
Some forums are a kind of Moral Majority for dogs, I suppose.
Let's put this in perspective: we are talking about Chinese Crested dogs - not the War in the Middle East.
While I understand passion in discussions, I do NOT understand threats by people who are too cowardly to identify themselves. In almost every case, the people have not done any business with the breeder, nor do they know anyone who has. Clearly they have never conversed w/ well-satisfied clients who have made repeat purchases. Most times, none have visited the facility, viewed conditions first-hand or have seen any of the puppies.
Others choose to recklessly crucify dog owners who elect not to enter the show ring - accusing them of not fulfilling the breed - as if exhibition makes your dog healthier, happier or more bonded to your family. Some make outrageous claims regarding their own wins, when simple mathematics will prove them dishonest - especially when there are only so many shows in a year. Some accuse non-exhibitors of a multitude of sins - simply because an owner chooses to move in a path different than theirs. It is a forum of sour unity - woe to the individual who dares to think differently...
Shamelessly, some contributors make questionable claims regarding their own wins/sales/success - again, as a faceless individual, trumpeting vague fables of ghost ribbons and phanton wins. They criticze websites, website updates, lineage, photos and even the weight of dogs in the photos - knowing darn well a good photographer can make a bad dog look good, while a bad photographer can make a good dog look bad.
They label facilities as "puppy mills' even tho' they have absolutely no foundation for their accusations. Some ignorantly select terminology used in the equine world, such as "breeding facility", and shape it to fortify their own accusations against breeders. Too ignorant to understand a breeding facility labors to handle all types of advanced animal husbandry, including difficult breedings & AI's, in conjunction w/ various reproductive specialists. Some facilities boast their own lab, centrifuge, etc. - medical miracles some folks have probably never seen.
Some choose not to learn because THEY want to be the educator, as education gets in the way of being an "information maven". Furthermore, it's easy to be a success when you are the nameless author of your own story. It's even more plausible when there is no way for the reader to verify facts ....
An intelligent mind searches for new ways, new answers and greater knowledge. A stunted mind refuses to grow and chooses to only discuss other breeders all the while, holed up and furiously peck hateful spew with a worn out old keyboard.
Incognito.
Practicing yellow journalism seems to be a regular pastime for these sad people. And again, like the Klan, they continue to wear their hoods. These self-proclaimed evangelists - who tout themselves as purists in defense of the breed - regularly secret themselves behind code names as they angrily trash the practices of others. They recklessly savage breeders, ranches, families, reputations and farms - weaving unfounded falsehoods - never allowing the truth to get in the way of a black, vile accusation.
And, sadly, this hate does not limit itself among the living - some vilify breeders who have passed away. How low can you go? Let them rest in peace, will ya?
Some are quick and loud when annoucing the names of those on their "black list", yet act in a covert manner when identifying themselves or their state of origin. Most times, these morally bankrupt individuals have never been invited to any of the facilities of the people they criticize. They have perhaps had limited contact, but insuffiient to speak with authority. Lack of facts does not stop their mindless prattle, hostile words or bitter ranting that lacks truth. Most times, folks who talk about others have no real achievements to their own name - or if they do, they are laughingly scant, made in an an echoing arena - because nobody else showed up.
Standing on their rickity soapbox and throwing words at the Goliaths in the Winners Circle - never having the spine to do it face-to-face - only as a faceless bitter group of sour nobodys.
We all know people like this: we work next to them, date them or see them across the room at family funerals. They are the nay-sayers - those who choose to curse the darkness instead of lighting a candle. The ones who fail to volunteer, yet curse the system. The ones who hold but a thimble of knowledge, yet are quick to pound their "infinite wisdom" over the head, or down the throats of others.
Some of these same individuals who rant on about medical testing are the very same who produce no testing results of their own. They read an article or two, and voila!...they become the Einstein of the Dog World.
Beware of internet cesspools who claim to want to guide newcomers. These tragic individuals need help themselves - and it doesn't come in the form of a chat line. Do your homework, trust your instincts and make decisions based on good sense & logic. Don't be afraid to rely on your internal antenna. Just because someone makes a claim, on line, does not mean they know what they are talking about.
Remember: this is the same information highway that carries the recipe for bombs and avenues for predators.
Proceed w/ caution.
