I too recently Googled Becky Harstad after being told that I might find some unsavory information. My partner and I breed AKC Smooth Standard Dachshunds and have made a reputable and notorious name for ourselves. A few years ago we decided to join Becky's "group list" called DACHSFORUM. There are some kind and very helpful people who are members of Dachsforum. However Becky is the owner and moderator and makes it very clear through her actions that anyone that disagrees with her gets put on "big brother status" as I call it (moderation for the list lingo).
My issue started with a post that a new person posted in the form of a question. It has been a few years since this all went down so I do not remember the EXACT question or the EXACT responses that were initiated. I do know that SEVERAL members of the list (BECKY included), slammed this person and in essence called her questions stupid, ridiculous and further went on to say that the question was not appropriate for the site and it's members that the site was too sophisticated to deal with such a stupid question. Understand that this person was new to the site and to breeding and showing dachshunds. I joined the group as a new person to learn myself about the breed and the people within the breed. I thought that is what the site was for.
What I did learn was that my compassion came back and slapped me in the face. Becky and the other nasty members of the group that were involved began to attack me for standing up for this lady who posed the question. I felt like I had stepped back in high school and was reliving the days of bullying and skanky cheerleaders who made all the other girls feel badly about themselves. It was amazing. Such is the behaviour of many "breeders" who frequent this site of Becky's with ill intention of gossiping and trying to defame other lovers of this breed.
I do not know what rumors about Becky may or may not are true, but I do know from personal and individual conversations with Becky, that she is a detriment to the sport of dogs as is evident in the way she treats other new people in the breed and the fact that she allows and condones silly, childish and hurtful behaviour on the DACHSFORUM. She has no business running a group for this sport. If she upheld the sportsman code of ethics she would be moderating and censoring the hurtful and damaging aspects of people's posts and not joining in the action.
I hope that if anyone is serious about learning about the breed of Dachshund and that if they want to learn and be supported by the actions and attitudes of responsible breeders and breeding that they will stay clear of the DACHSFORUM. There are other sites that you can seek out and become a member of where you you find a more nurturing and supportive attitude.
Thank you!!
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