Uhm. Ok. Question for breeders...?

Question

I really have been sitting here for the past .... twenty minutes.. thinking of how I could word this without me sounding like I hate breeders or anything.

Because I don't, and keep that in mind. I prefer actual breeders over any other type of breeding or anything.

But, ok.

Have you ever even had the thought cross your mind, that you could possibly be helping to contribute to the overpopulation of dogs?

I know the main problem is BYB and irresponsible owners, but has the thought ever crossed your mind?

I know that all responsible and legitimate breeders make sure the entire litter goes to good homes, and they check up on the pups and even offer to take them back if there are any problems; but I'm sure that not every single person that's gotten a dog from you has been honest about taking care of them.

But, have you ever thought about that, or anything like that?

Just wondering, please don't be angry or anything; I'm not trying to pin anything on you.

Answer 1

yes, i have and i LOVE dogs. i think people adopt dogs from shelters, rather that 'buy' them for $2000. to think of all those poor doggies in shelters...

Answer 2

I'm not a breeder, but I think your thought is a legitimate one.  

Answer 3

It depends on how many litters you produce. The more you produce the more dedicated owners you need to find.  Is there enough out there?

The main reason we breed is to keep our line going as we have spent a lot of time and research in to different bloodlines that carry different health defects. We health test all our own dogs and any Stud dogs that we use that do not belong to us.  If we did not reproduce from time to time, we would then enter the lottery that most pet owners have to go through each and every time they purchase a dog.  Do the pet owners who require the dogs add to the problem? Maybe.  How much research do they do into a certain breed before they make there choice.  Most pet owners decide to get a dog and they want one immediately.  If people did their research first about health issues in their chosen breed then they should only purchase from genuine breeders who do the relevant tests and provide signed documents to say so.  

It is the chicken and egg argument which is still going on and will never be resolved.

The only way to cut down on puppy registrations is for the Kennel Clubs from all over the world to demand these test be done before accepting registration of a litter.  This would not only deter the back street breeders as it costs money to have the tests it would also force some of the top breeders to test all their breeding stock, as they would not be allowed to show or breed from any animal that was not registered with the Kennel Clubs.  It should not matter how much breed type a Sire or Dam had. If they are carrying health threatining hereditary diseases, then they should not be bred from.

Thank you for posting a question that is open to both sides.  Well done

Answer 4

Nancy M - take a chill pill. Why do you have to be so rude? The chick is asking a question. I don't see why you have to call her stupid!  It's a legit question. Pull your head out of your bum for christs sake!

Op - I hope they do. Even for every home that a puppy from a breeder goes to, that's one less from the shelter. So yeahs they are contributin to over population.

Answer 5

I'm not a breeder any more, but I'll try to give you an answer any way.  My take on it is that responsible breeders aren't contributing to the over population of dogs primarily because they DO take their dogs back if the people who buy them can't keep them for any reason.  

Also, the people who buy purebreds from reputable breeders aren't interested in getting a dog from a shelter because they want a certain breed.  They might want that dog to show, for obedience, agility, tracking, herding, schutzhund, search and rescue, hunting, or any other specific purpose.  Or they just might like that breed of dog.  

Reputable breeders breed when they've got homes lined up for the upcoming litter and, in fact, they've got waiting lists for their puppies.  How is that contributing to the overpopulation?  

I waited for the Belgian terveren puppy I got last month for well over a year because his breeder has waiting lists for her puppies.

Reputable breeders also have contracts on their puppies.  If they're not being looked after, the dog will be yanked from that home.

Answer 6

NOPE!! People who are wanting dogs contribute to the so called over population issue.  These are the people who get the cuuuute, little puppy, don't train it, don't vet it, and when it grows up they take it to the pound (or they turn it loose) and then find another cuuuute puppy and repeat the sad process.  Keep in mind puppies can be found in many places, not just pet stores or ads in the paper.  I see little kids in the parking lot of stores like Wal-Mart giving away boxes of puppies to shoppers who may not be set up for a puppy.  It's these random bred puppies who make more random bred puppies.  See good breeders have a tendency to ask the buyers questions.  They also keep their prices high enough to where not everyone can afford one of their puppies.  Most have a contract that requires that the puppy be properly cared for including spaying and neutering at the correct age.  In the local shelter, I don't see hardly any puppies but young adult random bred dogs that are unruly and usually intact.  You know that those dogs did not come from good caring breeders but from some dog owner who wanted a "free" or "cheap" dog.  The few purebreds that are in the shelter are of poor quality so they also didn't come from breeders who care for their animals.  No I can't blame this over population on breeders as much as I do on poor pet ownership.  

My question: With so many unwanted pets in the US, why are shelters importing pets from other countries?  I would think that we would have enough pets instead of too many if we're importing dogs from Mexico, Iraq, Haiti, etc..

Answer 7

I don't breed myself anymore, not since I was living at home with my family years ago...

But a responsible breeder once told me:

"All breeders contribute to the over population crisis - the responsible ones minimize their impact"

Answer 8

No one that breeds their fluffy little mutts is thinking about the damage that they're doing to the dogs in shelters.

You would be AMAZED at the ignorance. Here, view these questions for reference:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;...

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;...

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;...

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;...

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;...

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;...

THIS one is by far my favorite. She's a god d**n ball-faced liar, a moron, and a TC for overpopulation:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;...

Every one of those questions were within the last TWO days.

They don't THINK. All they do is BREED. They're disgusting excuses for pet owners and even worse specimens of the human race. How can you say that you hold compassion and love for animals when you're literally contributing to the death of 20 million animals a year?

Responsible breeders spend years of time, thousands of dollars, and mountains of efforts to breed. The only people REALLY contributing to the mass overpopulation are the breeders that just breed. RB's work harder than all of the BYB's combined and multiplied times ten million to perfect the breed. They might add a little, but they aren't pouring dogs on the streets like BYB's are.

Answer 9

I'm not sure why you think the puppy owners aren't taking care of their animals.  Maybe you assume that more puppies are being produced than actually are. I can't speak for anyone else, but I have been pretty successful at keeping track of the puppies I've produced.  In 13 years, I have had less than 9 litters.  My dogs are small and have small size litters.  I visit the homes of the people who take one of my puppies.  And the majority of the people who contact me have had a Jack Russell before, or have met one of my dogs and like what they see.  As for contributing to overpopulation, I have 2 rescue Jacks that I got from the humane society.  I am on the rescue list and take dogs that were going to be euthanized.

People who contact me want a JRT.  Will they get a dog from the shelter? Probably not.  So get a puppy from someone who tests for genetic problems, takes reponsponsibility for the pups produced, support the puppy owners and answer all the questions that you see on this website.  Take care of them when they go on vacation.  Give them information on where to get products they need at discounted rates.  

Do I contribute...Anyone who produces a dog contributes.  Anyone who gets a dog contributes.

Answer 10

I'm not a breeder- but If I were I would worrie about this like that- no one will care for the dog like you would and it is probably really hard for them to let one of their babies- go- Or maybe thats just my feelings maybe it's not the same after you have had a few litters- BUt yes- I would worry and check up and make sure that none of my dogs would ened up in a pound..If I was a breeder

Answer 11

Maybe all people wanting to breed should have to have an animal husbandry qualification and part of attaining that qualification should be a work placement in a shelter that euthanases animals.  This may be the only way to get the more thoughtful people to put careful consideration into the reasons why they are breeding and are these reasons truly good enough.  Of course, the truly ignorant will still go ahead and breed indiscriminately - you can't fight ignorance.  This is why component 2 to being a breeder should be once they are fully qualified they are then licensed.  With the licencing should come regular checks on their breeding facilities with strict standards needing to be adhered to to continue breeding.  My plan is to reduce the profits of the puppy farmers (pure bred, pedigreed and cross bred) to force them out of the "breeding industry".  If someone has a litter of pups without a licence to do so then they are whacked with a hefty fine.

I think it could work.

Answer 12

Have you ever wondered why dogs are imported into our country....

They contribute to our pet population.

The majority of homeless dogs are due to irresponsible breeding(puppy mills, back yard breeders, pet store) and irresponsible owners who buy dogs at the spur of  the moment decsions such as christmas, birthdays, holidays...ect. Also people who don't want an old dog just give their dogs up when they become senior dogs.

Responsible breeders do not breed many dogs and they will hold onto or take back a dog anytime someone cannot keep it for any reason. This way the dog does not end up in shelters.

Responsible breeders only breed when they need another show dog for the show ring.  

In my breed you are lucky if you have 2-4 puppies in a litter. And many times not all the puppies make it.  

A good breeder sells puppies on spay and neuter contracts or spays/neuters dogs before placing them. This way a dog cannot be bred.

Answer 13

im not a breeder but your question is one that many would ask,i think true dog lovers are breeders and breeders of good dogs of good temporments and if they love their dogs and their offspring they normally do a backround check of the conditions of where the pup is going to be homed as my labradors owner did,she was so helpfull and i could ring and txt her to ask questions and she did the same to find out how he was doing, She was brilliant and we love our puppy,hes 12 wks old now and ive a 1 and 4 year old who get on great with him. You will know if the breeder is legit by the way they are on visits to your pup before taking him/her home and how the mammy dog is when you visit. My puppys owner had homes and i had to litterally beg for the last one as there was so many people wanting him, but she done a backround check,im 24 my partner is aswell,we are able to cope with the 2 kids and have our own house and loads of room for puppy to play. but i also live in the same state as her which makes it easier,most dogs that are being homed outside the state it much harder for the owner to keep in contact and some dont want the hastle.plus im getting my dog nuetured when hes the right age,i dont think its neccessary for him to breed because i dont want him to populate the area as its not necessary and i dont want to make money off of him,i bought him as a pet not a money maker so getting him neutered is going to settle him and make him a better pet as i dont have to worry about him wondering off with the scent of a passing female!! and hes going to calm down and not chew and jump on everything he sees, so the vet says!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 14

Yes, I think about that a lot.  That's why EVERY dog or cat I've ever had has been spayed or neutered.  I am proud to say I have NEVER had an "accident" with any of my pets.  I never was and never will be a breeder.  I have no desire to be a contributor to the overpopulation and death of innocent dogs.

The world is not in any shortage of dogs.

Answer 15

Is everyone blind?  

I will tell you exactly WHO is contributing to the overpopulation of dogs found in the animal shelters...THE PET BUYER!

In all my years of breeding, I have never once taken a dog to a shelter.  Never.  Not one single person in my circle of breeder friends has either.  

Animal rights activists, humane societies, rescue groups, etc. all scream at the breeders.  Wrong Target people!!! The pet people are the ones dumping their dogs on your doorsteps.  And why...well you have heard all the stupid reasons for yourselves, haven't you?

So why continue to attack breeders?  Start attacking the pet owners who are the ones causing all your grief and headaches.  

The true breeders who do it for the love of their dogs or ensuring the continuation of a healthy, well bred dog, will never suffer.  Even if it means giving pups away rather than sell them.  We enjoy and love what we do.

However, the breeder who is "in it for the money" won't survive very long if you take away their income.  As long as the pet people continue buying from them, they will continue to prosper.  

Maybe it is time to consider licensing pet owners and regulating them the way the laws are attempting to do to breeders!