Marty
10-17-2005, 03:11 PM
Farmington, NM -- It's difficult to miss the countless signs bearing the words, Pit bull puppies for sale, hanging from the rear windows of vehicles parked in lots that line Main Street in Farmington.
According to Farmington Animal Shelter Director Barbara Yarborough, pit bulls are currently the dog of choice for residents in the Four Corners area.
I think we're in our pit-bull phase right now, Yarborough said. It's a statement sometimes; Look at me, I have this pit bull.
Although Yarborough said she does not know why pit bulls have become the four-legged-friend of choice, she does believe that the dogs are being bred to sell rather than being the product of overpopulation.
I think they're selling right now, like it was several years ago with dalmations, she said.
Marc Alcon, 22, of Blanco, said that he sells pit bull puppies year-round. Alcon, who has run a kennel that raises these dogs for the past four years, said he believes pit bulls are here to stay.
I think people like them because of their reputation, he said, adding that he is frequently asked by families if pit bulls are child-friendly.
Alcon, who has nine pit bulls, said any dog is safe as long as it is properly trained.
Yarborough said she agrees, but that there is a looming sense of controversy surrounding the image of the pit bull.
There's been a lot of controversy in the last year or so, she said. (Pit bull) bites seem to be publicized more so than when grandma's poodle bites.
Despite the reputation that pit bulls have as guard dogs, Alcon said that many different types of people buy the dogs from him for various purposes.
While he has his fair share of customers who want a pit bull for protection, often breeders buy from him to raise their own pit bulls.
Alcon's puppies also sell very quickly.
In this litter, I had 20, and now I only have one left, he said.
The going rate for Alcon's puppies are $300 for a dog with registration papers, and $100 for dogs without papers.
The papers are important for the breeders, he said.
http://www.daily-times.com/artman/publish/article_21156.shtml
According to Farmington Animal Shelter Director Barbara Yarborough, pit bulls are currently the dog of choice for residents in the Four Corners area.
I think we're in our pit-bull phase right now, Yarborough said. It's a statement sometimes; Look at me, I have this pit bull.
Although Yarborough said she does not know why pit bulls have become the four-legged-friend of choice, she does believe that the dogs are being bred to sell rather than being the product of overpopulation.
I think they're selling right now, like it was several years ago with dalmations, she said.
Marc Alcon, 22, of Blanco, said that he sells pit bull puppies year-round. Alcon, who has run a kennel that raises these dogs for the past four years, said he believes pit bulls are here to stay.
I think people like them because of their reputation, he said, adding that he is frequently asked by families if pit bulls are child-friendly.
Alcon, who has nine pit bulls, said any dog is safe as long as it is properly trained.
Yarborough said she agrees, but that there is a looming sense of controversy surrounding the image of the pit bull.
There's been a lot of controversy in the last year or so, she said. (Pit bull) bites seem to be publicized more so than when grandma's poodle bites.
Despite the reputation that pit bulls have as guard dogs, Alcon said that many different types of people buy the dogs from him for various purposes.
While he has his fair share of customers who want a pit bull for protection, often breeders buy from him to raise their own pit bulls.
Alcon's puppies also sell very quickly.
In this litter, I had 20, and now I only have one left, he said.
The going rate for Alcon's puppies are $300 for a dog with registration papers, and $100 for dogs without papers.
The papers are important for the breeders, he said.
http://www.daily-times.com/artman/publish/article_21156.shtml