Instead of entirely hijacking the California show thread, I'm going to move my post to this new thread. It is a continuation of a discussion started at
http://www.chins-n-hedgies.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11036&page=2
Thank you! That's a definition that I have a good feel for.
And this is the opposite of what I am used to. There are so many things about the animals themselves that are similar between dwarf hamsters and chins (putting together new pairs, temperament, etc.). The fact that the ranchers are involved in shows, judging, setting of standards, etc. is very different, though.
How involved is the USDA in the licensing of chin ranchers? Are all ranchers USDA certified? I can see Bowen's on the USDA list but don't see a number of the other big ranchers whose location I know.
Well, I won't be able to take my chins with me the week before, so they won't be coming regardless. But why are chewers removed from the table? It's not contagious. Sure, they won't place well, but I can't imagine that their owners expected them to place well. And if chewers are removed, are other undesireable traits like those with maloccusion or missing toes also removed? In other words, is it chins with traits you don't want in offspring that are removed or is there something specific with fur chewers that disqualifies them from the show table?
Well, I know my rescues are too far from show quality to even start down that road, so I really know what I need to for them. But going to a show and seeing what is top quality will really help me assess other chins which is why I'm trying to get to the show. Although it is always good to get a judge's opinion (a fresh look by an objective third party), I want to know enough myself to be able to do pretty good assessments of my animals and the kits I produce as well as assess those I'm considering purchasing. I don't have to become a judge to do that although it would be nice to assist judges at shows to better learn how the experienced judges evaluate the animals.
So chin pedigrees only go back three generations? I guess that's not necessarily out of line with other animals. And I suspect some ranchers help feed the pet store industry leading to a range of quality there. Do many of the large ranchers whose names I see on this forum also breed for the pet store industry or do those tend to be a different population of ranchers?
Linda
http://www.chins-n-hedgies.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11036&page=2
A rancher is someone who raises for profit, wether it be pelting, wholesale or pets. Number of chins doesn't matter.
Thank you! That's a definition that I have a good feel for.
You are correct, most smaller "show breeders" probably don't consider themselves ranchers, but technically anyone who has a ranch brand is a rancher by USDA standards.
And this is the opposite of what I am used to. There are so many things about the animals themselves that are similar between dwarf hamsters and chins (putting together new pairs, temperament, etc.). The fact that the ranchers are involved in shows, judging, setting of standards, etc. is very different, though.
How involved is the USDA in the licensing of chin ranchers? Are all ranchers USDA certified? I can see Bowen's on the USDA list but don't see a number of the other big ranchers whose location I know.
Linda, this is absolutely not true. In the 8 shows I've been two only three animals have been off the table - two chewers and one with a runny eye.
Well, I won't be able to take my chins with me the week before, so they won't be coming regardless. But why are chewers removed from the table? It's not contagious. Sure, they won't place well, but I can't imagine that their owners expected them to place well. And if chewers are removed, are other undesireable traits like those with maloccusion or missing toes also removed? In other words, is it chins with traits you don't want in offspring that are removed or is there something specific with fur chewers that disqualifies them from the show table?
Granted it isn't about placing, it is about learning what you have, and how to better it. Not all pet animals are bad, and in three generations you'll have a "complete" pedigree on the line. (Shhh... that's a secret)
Well, I know my rescues are too far from show quality to even start down that road, so I really know what I need to for them. But going to a show and seeing what is top quality will really help me assess other chins which is why I'm trying to get to the show. Although it is always good to get a judge's opinion (a fresh look by an objective third party), I want to know enough myself to be able to do pretty good assessments of my animals and the kits I produce as well as assess those I'm considering purchasing. I don't have to become a judge to do that although it would be nice to assist judges at shows to better learn how the experienced judges evaluate the animals.
So chin pedigrees only go back three generations? I guess that's not necessarily out of line with other animals. And I suspect some ranchers help feed the pet store industry leading to a range of quality there. Do many of the large ranchers whose names I see on this forum also breed for the pet store industry or do those tend to be a different population of ranchers?
Linda