Hi everyone,
I recieved this email the other day from a person about weight pulling and I know James always says that this board is for talking about this kind of stuff that is weight pull related topics, and this isn't the first time that weight pulling has been put one step above dog fighting by the uneducated "animal planetaholics" I would appreciate any one that has abit of knowledge for this person to send them an email of your own, if you like, below is her email and my response, let me know what you guys think.
Thanks,
David Sexton
Legends Kennels

Below is her email and her message
From: N3Q9c5e1@centurytel.net
To: legendskennels@hotmail.com
Subject: your dogs
Date: Tue, 30 Sep 2008 09:57:52 -0500



I am a little shocked and appalled by what I saw on your web site. I have heard of pits pulling weight rather than fighting, but why? I am a lover of the breed and understand that the dogs need an outlet for their energy and strength, but your dogs do not seem happy in your photos. It seems only one step above dog fighting to me. What is the average life span of your dogs and does this create muscle and joint pain in their later years? What do you do with these animals when they can no longer pull enormous amounts of weight?.

My Response!!!

Denise,

I'm only answering this because I can't stand completely uneducated people voicing their opinions about a topic that they are not qualified to voice an opinion on. I've been raising dogs for a very long time and been in the professional pet trade for nearly 17 years! First off, what kind of comment is "pulling weight rather than fighting." Fighting is not even an option for these dogs it's illegal, and the dogs have to endure physical pain and agony, injuries and so on. Weight pulling is a form of exercise, most people would agree that for humans to lift weights and workout is in their best interest for a healthy body, right! That is exactly what we are doing with our dogs we are working them out, getting them in the best shape they can be in which in turn keeps them healthier longer, my dogs are athletes and are treated as such with proper dietary supplementation, regular check ups and constant supervision to make sure they are as healthy as they can be, further more, not every dog can weight pull they have to be structurally sound to be able to pull weights and not jeopardize their joints and bones in the long run, I wouldn't take a dogs with possible health concerns and try to make them into a pulling dog. I'm also quite amazed that you think you can tell a dog's emotional state from a still photo, I can't and I've worked with animals for over 25 years! Average lifespan is not a cookie cutter figure, human beings can live over 100 years or die within hours of being born, so do you think knowing how long my dogs live will give you some kind of insight into how they lived their life, what is average for a dog anyway, it goes by size, the larger the breed the shorter the life, statistically! What do I do with them when they can no longer pull weight, that's an easy one to answer, I love and care for them for the rest of their lives just like I cared for them for everyday of their lives before then. My dogs are like my kids and I'm thankful for them everyday I have with them. Every breed of dog was originally bred to perform a certain task, hunting, tracking, protection, pulling(ever seen dogs pull sleds, malamutes, huskies)and so on dogs were not bred to be lazy couch potatoes and sit around a house all day watching TV, that's what people do. Dogs love to work and the dogs that weight pull love it more than anything on earth, that's why we do it and that's why we will continue to do it as long as the dogs want to, educate yourself before you pass judgment in the future, for your education I'm posting your email to organizations that are involved with weight pulling dogs and some of their members may help me educate you.

Sincerely,

David Sexton

Legends Kennels

www.legendspitbulls.com

I don't think she is a lover of the breed, its seems that she really doesn't know the breed.
Its good that you did respond back to her, hopefully she is open minded and get educated about the breed. Too many people that say they "love the breed" but in their minds is to have a lap dog.

What really frustrates me is the idea that somehow Dogs should be given a more comfortable life than Human beings. Almost like, just because man works doesn't dogs should have to!

This is ridiculous. God clearly intended for humans to use animals in various ways. One way is eating, another is by having animals help us do work. This is one reason the founder of Peta is an atheist, she chooses to ignore the obvious so that she can justify giving animals a more comfortable life than human beings.

Further frustrating is the fact that people don't understand that dogs like Pitbulls and labs are happier when they work! The Dog whisperer himself has made this clear over and over again as dogs that don't work end up problems temperamentally sometimes.

For people that respond to weight pulling in the manner that this lady did I would ask her to watch an episode of that show or have her read some of his book.

Now, that said, some dog pulling people are cruel to their dogs, however I have found this to be the minority. Most weight pulling dog people I have met truly love their dogs and want the best for them.

lol this ladys a trip lol nice yrd dave n nice hounds they look so sad tho u should maybe let them get there own coachs n watch opra lol

Thanks for noticing the yard I put alot of work into it and now my wife is moving us to Minnesota, Wisconsin was cold enough now I have to deal with colder and rebuild everything I just finished here, I didn't make one show this year because I'm trying to get my properties ready for sale, hopefully next year. I have to say the dogs are glad to have a season off, no long car rides, no being stuck in kennels and especially no baths, they hate baths, but they all love to get dirty, especially Cash always in the mud. This is was one of several emails I've received over the past few years, and usually I deal with them or ignore them myself but I just wanted to put it out there for you guys so I didn't feel alone in my responce to these people, I'm glad to see the feedback from everyone, it makes me feel like I've been doing the right things with these people and their emails.
Thanks again everyone,
David Sexton
Legends Kennels
www.legendspitbulls.com