My topguard experience

[sarah]

last sunday we had our Belgian Ebbasa apraisal. I was walking around talking to everyone when is heard another person speaking english

So i go up and introduce myself and we start talking dogs. Not to long into the conversation it turns out that i am standing there talking to the much talked about Mark from Topguard.

Now, i have been told many things about the Topguard kennels and last Sunday it was proven tp me again that one should never go on stories that you are told. Always make up your own mind about people.

We spoke on and off during the whole day. It became very clear that Mark loves the breed and is very interested in learning about all diferent lines. He had all his health certificates with him and the results were very impressive.

he knows and understands dogs, genetics, breeding and character and frankly, he can teach me a lot.

We talked about the whole "tia scandal" and it was nice to hear his side to the story.

the issue of the paypal button on the website was raised and talked about.

I was also introduced to Vandal, a dog that has many rumours going round about him. What i saw was that mark handled him in a very correct manner. there were about 35-40 dogs running around, kids, people, horses and not once did vandal put a foot wrong.

What is my point for putting this down on paper?
We do not all have to be the best of friends. I have come across breeders and i don't agree with the breeding decisions they make. But that does not mean that those people can not teach me things.
But we can all treat each other with respect within the breed. The boerboelcommunity is a small world in europe and it should be open to whoever wants to do their best for the breed.

Just my thoughts... Hope i have not offended anyone with it.

[Shaun Eric Ewing]

Hello Sarah and your opinions are welcome. It seems to us that the main problem is success, the breeders that have good results can come under attack from those who do look negatively apon this. That sort of person will always exist, the better a breeder´s results are, the more likely it is that someone will say something untrue and in a negative way.

The rules of this board do not allow this. So everyone can feel safe here and get down to the real business of talking dogs (boerboels in particular).

Regards
Shaun

[mayahund]

Hi Sarah!
Can't see why you should have offended anyone on this list by talking positively about another person! The big problem on most other boards is that too many people so easily jump on the negative wagon without checking out things first for them self.

You had a first hand experience and told about your opinion of this. How can this be wrong?
Ewa

[buliebuse]

I agree with you Ewa
If people have negative thoughts etc they should keep them to themselves.
The only thing on this board that we are 'guilty' of , is having a sense of humour!
Ju