The Breeder Dispute

I thought that making a post describing my experience with dogs might be a useful tidbit, especially since there is so much information out there perpetuated by people who have never owned a dog. However it turned into more of an info column about breeders and pet overpopulation. I think it is information that needs to get out there, so please leave comments with your opinions.

I grew up in a small town in upstate New York. I came from a long line of animal lovers/farmers, and living on 6 acres of land we had plenty of space for our menagerie. We always had anywhere from 1 to 2 cats and at least 3 dogs. We took in strays and rehabilitated wounded wildlife. Rabbits, robins, blue jays, a pigeon, a trio of baby squirrels, even a baby deer for a short amount of time. My grandparents lived nearby and always had a pack of dogs. My grandfather bred, trained and showed championship coon hounds and had a barn full of trophies. My mother breeds AKC registered Cairn Terriers for temperament and conformation and I had the full experience of watching and later helping whelp the pups throughout my childhood. Watching the puppies go from blind, deaf little things to fuzzy balls of curiosity to energetic puppies and finally on to adulthood taught me more about dogs, their behavior and their psychology than any book or trainer ever could. Taught how to approach and treat dogs since before I could talk, it wasn't a big surprise that I grew up with a love of them. Watching the actions of experienced, responsible breeders like my mother and grandparents instilled a lot of respect for those hobbyists and fanciers that dedicate so much to their chosen breeds as well. I know that there are a lot of people out there that would eagerly shout me down and insist that there are no good breeders, but my experience tells me otherwise. Truly responsible breeders do what they do to contribute to the improvement of the breed. The poor unfortunate animals that flood shelters are not the result of responsible breeders, but of puppymillers, backyard breeders and ignorant owners. I'll write another post at a later time on how to recognize a good breeder.

Two of my mother's dogs, relaxing on our porch.

There are many reasons for wanting a purebred dog, and claiming 'breedism' is no more true or fair than calling people who prefer large or small dogs 'size-ists'. Size, like temperament and energy, should be an important consideration in choosing a dog. If you're looking for a dog to fit into a 1 bedroom apartment lifestyle a Great Dane wouldn't be the best choice. If you have young active children a 4 pound delicate Yorkshire Terrier could easily be injured or killed. Knowing a dog's breed lends one to the dispositions predisposed to that breed. That is why shelters and rescues list a dog's breed background. In order to enjoy and appreciate the life and contributions of your dog, one should try to match their lifestyle to the type of energy and temperament a dog possesses. A low energy elderly person looking for a small, calm companion would not do well with a large high energy dog. In fact, such a mismatch could seriously injure the person. An active, high energy family would not fit well with a low energy coach potato, and the dog would feasibly be left alone often if it could not keep up with that lifestyle. The best indicators of a dog's future traits are its breed traits, which are determined by what the dog was breed for. Originally bred for herding? You can bet that will be an intelligent, high energy dog. Scent hound? Be prepared for barking and howling. Bred for pulling sleds? A high energy cold weather dog that would probably be very unhappy in a small apartment in Florida.

This is not to say that shelter dogs or mixed breeds don't make excellent pets, because they do. My closest companion through childhood and my young adult life was a rottie/labrador mix. No one dog is perfect for everyone, just as no one situation is perfect for everyone. Educating yourself on all the traits of a breed is important when considering bringing any dog into your life. The number of dogs surrendered due to owner ignorance is staggering. "He's too hyper" is not an excuse to give up your pet, especially if you had taken the time to consider that the dog's breed was originally created to herd cattle for 10 hours a day. Living in an apartment with the occasional walk is not going to meet that dog's physical needs. With the problem of pet overpopulation we need to step up and be responsible for our animals.

Banning all breeders is not the answer, because without responsible breeding programs there would be no healthy dogs. Refusing to buy from breeders that are just looking to make a quick penny is a big start. Outright refusing to buy from pet stores is a necessity. No responsible breeder would EVER sell a puppy to a pet store, and most of the dogs you see in the window are from puppy mills, predisposing them to illness, mental instability and behavioral problems. You are not 'rescuing' those puppies by buying them, you are just funding the degeneration of the breed.

Rescuing a shelter dog is a noble thing to do, especially if you are prepared for the issues that come with them. They are wonderful dogs that were dealt an unfortunate hand, and can make as loving and loyal a companion as any dog. Evaluate your lifestyle when considering a dog. Research breeds, even if you are going the adoption route. Know that if two breeds have the same trait, a mixed dog of both breeds can carry that trait even more strongly than the purebreds. If you choose to buy from a breeder, find a good one. Ask to meet the puppy's parents, ask about health issues, ask if health screening was performed, ask about temperament testing, socialization, registration, pedigree history, etc. A good breeder will patiently answer all your questions, and be able to provide references to their line's health and well being. If a breeder tries to rush you into a sale, walk away. They are just looking for that quick penny. Good breeders test for genetic health problems in their dogs, and will not sell a puppy without a limited registration, especially to a first time owner. In fact, many responsible breeders are wary of selling one of their pups to a first time owner at all. Be prepared to sign a contract, one that often will require you to return the dog to the breeder should you ever decide to get rid of it and will require you to spay or neuter your dog by 6 months of age. Many breeders now microchip their pups before selling them, so that if the dog ever ends up in a shelter they are contacted. Yearly follow up calls are common and home visits before agreeing to sell a puppy are not unheard of. All of these precautions are to ensure a good, healthy life for their dogs and a satisfied owner.

One of my mother's litters.