The distance between China and USA

[MichelleSheng]

How far is the distance between China and the U.S? A matter of opinion. Everyone's understanding and experience are different.

I have never been to USA and don't have American friends. But I’ve heard that American people are warm and friendly since I was very young.

Recently, I got a chance to contact American people because of Doberman. I paid close attention to Doberman’s Top List, Kennels, Dogs and their litters with passion. I hope to import some dogs to China for advance development. But, all I have heard within the past two years are refusals.

As we all knows, American breeding of Doberman Pinscher has a long history. The US has a great pedigree and a mature system and there are so many things that Chinese dog lovers could learn from the US and that are deserved be pround of.

Chinese have often been portraited by western media as being cruel to their animals and China is often regarded as a place without adequate protection of animals. However, those are generalizations. Even though some generalizations may be true, an individual Chinese cannot be discriminated against because of those generalizations. My family and my friends around me are dog lovers and we are learning best ways to raise up dogs. I would like to say to people who are really there to help us and people who have biases against Chinese because of what they have seen in the news: I will continue to work my way, even though this way is long and hard, as long as it is possible to shorten the distance between us and to receive due respect and trust.

中国与美国之间的距离到底有多远？见仁见智，每个人的理解和经历都不相同。
我从来没去过美国，也未曾结识许多朋友。但从小就听说美国人非常热情友好。

如今因为杜宾犬让我终于有机会接触美国人，我热切的关注着美国的各大排行榜，优秀的犬舍，犬只以及他们繁殖 的小狗，希望能引入犬只到中国来促进发展与进步。但是两年来听到最多的是拒绝的声音。

众所周知，美国繁殖杜宾犬已有悠久的历史，有着优秀的血统和成熟的体制。有太多的东西使得我们不得不去学习 ，着实应当骄傲。

中国经常被西方媒体描述成一个残忍对待动物和关于没有足够保护动物能力的地方。然而，这些描述都是基于总体 表面的概括，即便有些概括的内容是真实的，但做为个体个人不应当因此而遭受歧视。我的家人以及我身边的朋友 都是爱狗人士，也在不断学习更好的方法去正确的养狗。

我要对那些真心帮助我们和那些因为看了新闻报导而对中国心存偏见的朋友们说，不管这条路多长多困难我都会努 力走下去，尽力去缩短我们之间的距离并得到应有的信任与尊重。

[Elaine]

I have never been to China… probably never will be. I don’t doubt that in a country the size of China there are all sorts of extremes in every possible category, just as there are here in the USA.

I am not making any sweeping generalizations here, but I know that in 2010 owning dogs anywhere is a challenge. In this country we have to deal with PETA’s legislative agenda, breed discrimination, anti-everything laws and whacky untrained out-of-control AC officers, who trample Constitutional rights simply because they haven’t a clue what those right are.

My only direct experience with the Chinese is on a very small personal level, with neighbors I had growing up… who were the most loving dog people you could possibly imagine. I would place a dog with Mr. and Mrs. Chin in a heart beat because - for them and their family - the dogs came first above all else.

Just a thought, but we all know how much of a commitment we have to make to own dogs here in the USA, where we enjoy certain personal freedoms, and it is relatively easy to do as we please. How much more devotion and commitment would we have to have to own dogs in a country that presented more challenges to dog ownership.

Could any of us American breeders present ourselves so favorably on the talk forum of a foreign country, speaking their language, and conveying our passion for our dogs to a group that is, to some degree, a bit negative towards us? I could not do so. I think we need to appreciate how amazingly privileged we are to have foreign members of DSNN. They honor us with their contributions, experiences and insights.

[doberdogsfd]

Elaine I could not agree more. Cheryl and I have been exchanging emails with Michelle for the last few weeks. We have been able to ask questions and learn much from her. Hopefully we have contributed to her experience as well.

Americans have a negative perception in many countries as we are seen as arrogant and elitist. Is it true? In many cases yes, in many others not at all.

Right now Cheryl and I are not prepared to have any of our dogs leave the U.S. not because of prejudice mostly because of distance. 4,000 miles across an ocean in the cargo hold of plane for 13-15 hours for a puppy....not so much. Hell I get stiff and cannot walk right after a 5 hour flight to California sitting in first class!!!

As for poor behavior towards folks who call my advice would be consider the source. Many of the breeders receiving the phone calls are rude in general and have the view that everyone who calls about a puppy is an idiot and must prove they are not. That includes people who live on the same street as them.

The key is to continue to have dialog and try to bridge the distance and learn about each other. I think we have some extremely fine folks from many countries on this forum. Some we have become friends with and exchange emails with regularly. It has enriched us and we are grateful to have them in our lives. We hope to build that relationship with many others. We have learned a lot about how passionate some of these folks are, like Akshay who is not afraid to voice his opinion and take on all comers over dog ownership in India. I respect his fire and passion.

I am not sure we will ever solve this issue but I am sure we can all learn from each other, build relationships and have some fun.

Bob