How do you feel about culling?

Question

As in... killing.

What are the benefits, and disadvantages, to this?

Answer 1

Better dead than bred!

Answer 2

its just cruel and ppl who do it are dumb

Answer 3

I believe it is necessary for some.

There are people breeding dogs who could not exist in pet homes -- which is the only other modern option.

The "leftover" dogs could sit in shelters and eventually be euthanized, or it can be done now.

I believe people have the right to create working dogs for their purposes in whatever way they see fit. If the dogs fill a legitimate niche, I can respect their breeders' choices.

The top working dogs in the world -- the dogs that aid police, work in the battlefield, patrol the airports, even the dogs that run the cattle and sheep that Americans consume and use on a daily basis -- these dogs are the result of fine-tuned, high demand breeding programs. They are NOT PETS. They are not the product of pets. Their ancestors have never been pets.

Asking the dogs in the litter that don't make the cut to settle for life as a pet is not fair to the dog or their prospective owner.

Most people today have no concept of dogs as anything other than pets...they can't wrap their head around the concept of the working dog, and they cringe at the idea of culling. But it is not a new concept -- it has existed as long as dogs have existed to work. Which is about as long as dogs have existed.

Benefits:

* Being able to focus on and feed only the best in the litter results in better dogs and a stronger breeding program.

* No contributing to dogs in shelters.

* No dealing with unprepared pet owners.

* No need to screen pet owners.

Disadvantages:

* The emotional detachment required.

* Negative public perception.

ADD: Personally, I could not cull this way. I use pet homes and spay/neuter contracts, and if this wasn't an option for me and my breed, I wouldn't breed. Other than lethal/life-debilitating congenital defects, there is no reason to cull my breed. Even dogs who prove to have no work ethic can be placed as pets.

But I know that my breed *was* culled by its original native people, who didn't have the luxury of a pet market. It makes sense, and it made the breed what it is. It has its place.

Answer 4

I will only comment on this with in my breed of choice.

I would be in favor of this only when a pups has a serious genetic defect!  

Like a cleft pallet, serious hair lip, heart problem, or other serious defect that will not allow the pup to live to maturity or will have the pup suffer until the defect takes it's life. This is feel is cruel. If this did occur I'd have to think very long and hard as to if I'd every breed this pair again.  My first impression is that I would not.

Theses types of problems need to be taken out of the gene pool quickly!

I do not believe in culling (as in killing) simply for a conformation defect as in wrong coat color or off coloring.  These pups can do very well doing other jobs or being someone pet.  

ADD:  I get these dogs spayed or neutered before I got them a new home or I'd have them on a spray, neuter contract and follow up to make sure it was done.

Answer 5

Luckily neither of my breeds is a breed that are unsuitable as pets.

Personally, I **cringe** at the notion that a properly bred dog from lines producing a proper temperament for the breed from some working backgrounds being placed as "pets". I think its a recipe for disaster.

I also can't stand the notion of taking working breeds and softening their temperaments so they can be "nice" pets.

I don't see any disadvantages... while I love my dogs I realize they are DOGS.

Answer 6

I believe that any dog that has temperament based issues, fear aggression, is not up to breed standards as far as working ability, conformation to a smaller degree, should be culled.

Why keep a dog like that around..what is the purpose of that?

Advantages, well, we would not have the "pet" over population problems that we have now, we would not have people dumping their dogs at the pound because they have genetic issues they cannot live with, we would not have all the "spay/neuter" police running wild and we would all have dogs that will look and perform according to the standard they are supposed to.

Disadvantages...you tell me!!

Answer 7

I think it had it's place back when there wasn't spay/neuter. It used to be the only way to remove poor specimens from the gene pool.

Now days I feel it is unnecessary.

The only animals would should be culled by killing are those that have severe health problems or deformities.

ADD:

I can see where other people are coming from on working ability. And I do agree that if the animal can't work and can't be a pet, then it should be culled, it's better than having a dog in limbo that can't fit in anywhere. (I was originally just thinking about my breed (papillons) when I initially answered.)

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Answer 8

Here is what I think - and it will be unpopular.

Dogs that are not up to breed standards in a *very* visible way should be culled.  Yes - they can be sold on a spay/neuter contract - after all, my dog was!  But, if the average person only sees pet dogs that are not good specimens of the breed, that is what they get used to.  And then see that as okay when they go to buy their pup.  

Should a dog that has a small patch of white be culled?  No, not if his conformation, temperament and working abilities are there.  Should a terrier that has absolutely no prey drive be culled?  YES!

Answer 9

..serious?

When is killing puppies because of a genetic defect EVER okay? Its STILL cruelty to animals. There are NO benefits to it. Sell the dog with a spay/neuter contract. Don't euthanize it.  

Answer 10

There are some areas where it is needed.

I believe if the dog itself is at risk of health problems later down the road and it will just mean a horrible life for them, then yes.

The population of dogs is overwhelming as it is with irresponsible breeding and just plane ignorance. It honestly may get to a point where culling is necessary. But to actually expect these BYBs to do it is a joke.

I think there are always other options. Adopt/sell the animal out with a spay/neuter contract is a good option.

And the one area that it is needed, it will never happen. There are too many idiots out there.

Answer 11

Hi! :)

I agree with Golden Gal.....

I do not believe in culling, it is wrong.  If the puppy would have a life time of misery though it may be necessary (BUT should only be done humanely, at a vets office!!!!  Not some of the cruel things people come up with like drowning :(.  If the puppy is missing limbs, eyes, or something horrible like that.  The parents should never be bred again because the genetic affects they carry.  If the puppy is not breed standard it should be spayed/neutered for sure, not culled!

Answer 12

there are no benefits, nor any advantages.  it is appalling.

Answer 13

I find it completely unnecessary unless the dogs genetic faults result in a risk to humans or a miserable life for the dog.  

Death is not necessary when we have state of the art medicine and spaying and neutering are as well advanced as we see today.

Do I think it has to be done sometimes?  Absolutely.

It's exactly what happens in shelters around the country every day.