What is it? Misinformed or Just don't really know?

Question

With all the questions being asked of late due to many factors about breeding/breeders and what they are. I just want to know why people are still not understanding what kind of breeder's there are out in the world and what makes one better than another?

The best example and explanation I know of is this. Please take a good look.

http://www.shilohshepherds.com/puppyBreeders/breederMatrixv4.htm

This clearly tell's what each kind of breeders there are. There are variations but would anyone like to tell me why there is so much confusion??? Is it really that people don't know or is that they don't wish to know where their pup or dog comes from?

This goes for designer breeders too.

Let hear your point of view?

Answer 1

I think some people don't know how much it matters, when getting a puppy from a breeder, to know what kind of breeder that is.  When getting a puppy from a shelter, veterinary care has usually been attended to, and some behavior testing was done.  As far as long term health of a shelter dog, it is a risk adopters take, but in the long run it doesn't matter, because adopters are interested in saving a shelter dog and are willing to (hopefully) commit to that dog for life.

When buying a puppy however, some people view the dog as a "clean slate" and expect that health and temperament are guaranteed.  They may figure if the breeder or pet store is in business, that they will stand by any problems that would occur, or that just by nature of being in business, makes them credible.

Also, I hear people say "I don't need/want a show dog, just a good pet!"  For that very reason they should chose a puppy from a respectable, responsible breeder who screens all their dogs for genetic faults, breeds to the standard, and shows their dogs.   To do anything less not only creates puppies that are not show-worthy, but not pet-worthy either.  A good breeder breeds to strive towards show quality in looks, conformation and temperament, hoping (and with huge effort)  that ALL the pups attain that standard.  If some do not, for having an ear-set that is not exact, or a nose that is a 1/4 inch too long, then that puppy will be sold as pet quality, with the same genetic background & health guarantee as those who reach the show ring.  Those puppies produced by a responsible breeder, whether pet or show quality, would all have been the result of time,money, education, and dedication to the breed.

Excellent chart by the way, GG!

Answer 2

Because Ignorance Is Bliss!  

Answer 3

Golden it's a whole bunch of reasons. Often it's the fact that a well bred puppy will cost a little more. A good friend of mine made this stupid mistake when I got my last pup. She fell in love with the pup I had on hold. She did not like the $1,200 price tag though. Even though she could have got my girls brother because the person who had their name down for a pup from the litter developed major health issues since he put his name down. She decided she would find another pup "the same" somewhere else. Indeed she did find another pup that looked somewhat like her brother. Basically the same colour and nothing else. He was only $600. Huge saving right! WRONG!

She has had her pup 2 weeks. In that time she has had to treat the pup for Coccidia and what are those little bald patches on his belly. Could not be mange right? Oh yes it is! This puppy has already cost her a lot in vet bills. This is just the first 4 weeks. Wait until the luxating patella hits!

People think all breeders are the same as they all produce puppies. That part maybe true, but the difference between a well bred puppy and one pumped out by a greeder or a puppy mill is a whole world apart.

Answer 4

It is the world-wide disease of irresponsibility.  No one wants to take responsibility for the things they did wrong, or for their own lack of self-education.  They refuse to admit they did wrong, and therefore, won't change their actions as that would be admitting they screwed up.  They simply resort to rants, tirades, and name-calling for their to legitimatize their indefensible positions in their own minds.  Sadly, this means they never learn to become responsible, quality-producing breeders that are a blessing to the dog world.

Answer 5

I think some people can be very gullible and easily swayed by a pretty face, they grab at the cute little puppy and be darned where it came from. There are others, I think, that want what they want when they want it and don't really care where they get it and finally there are those that are swayed by the apparent " lower cost" of some of the back yard breeders, and don't want to be turned down by the reputable breeders due to not having the perfect set up for their puppies.

Answer 6

I WANNA PUPPIE OMG!!!!!  He must be:

1- cute

2- cheep

3- cute

4- as small as possible

5- cute

6- easy to bread in 6 months

7- cute

8- quiet

9- cute

10- no shedding!!!!

11- cute

12- available right now when he's 4 weeks old and OMG sooooo cuuuuute!!!!!

Don't you snobs get it?  Duh!!!

Answer 7

That's a great chart Golden Gal!

Thank you for putting in the link,  I think this will be very helpful.

I think people are misinformed when it comes to breeders.   A lot of people think that all that is required to be a breeder is to have two dogs with opposite sets of reproductive organs.

I raised Arabian horses for over 25 years, and those that breed dogs should approach breeding dogs as seriously as we did with our horses.   Several of my horses were national and regional champions, and produced the same.

Answer 8

frankly, i don't care what my mutts are. but having a clue does solve some of the behavior traits.

HOWLDINE : you forgot the HUSKY - "because i love the blue eyes".

people tend to want their dogs as more of a status symbol, and if they were to actually look into breeds/breeders, they might not have the "ignorance is bliss/ head in the sand" excuse.

"i didn't know my husky with the blue eyes would shed so much in my 3rd floor apartment"

Answer 9

Fantastic chart. That really does a great job of outlining the characteristics one seeks, and one avoids.

The problem, dear GG, is not about confusion or misunderstanding.

It's about laziness. I like to call it "I want a dog and I want it NOW!" syndrome...this disease afflicts the vast majority of pet owners and causes a slew of symptoms including spontaneous purchasing of a dog without knowing breed-specifics, and without knowing breeder specifics.

What proves even more shocking about this condition, is that most of the dog owners afflicted attempt to justify their actions in the form of selfless excuses, like "I was saving him from the bad breeder"

Many pray for a cure. Unfortunately, you can't cure stupid.

Answer 10

That's a really informative site.  Let me answer this in an ignorant dog owner point of view.  I feel like I was one before I got my girls.  I didn't know what to look for in a breeder. Didn't know too much about BYB and puppy mills.  I just knew what 2 puppies I wanted.  I researched the breed.  Honestly I just didn't think about it.  I ran into couple of bad breeders.  My instinct told me some thing was wrong.  Luckily I ended up getting the girls from 2 pretty legitamate breeder.  One of them would fall into the Hobby Breeder category.  I know neither of they were BYB or mills.  I visited them and we still keep in contacts.  I said this before but I'm done giving breeders the money.  My 3rd and 4th dog will certainly be a rescue.  I feel that I'm much more educated now.  I still believe in Good Breeding for the sake of the legacy.  But I'll start saving a life from now on.  

Answer 11

That is a great chart...however, what about the people who get dogs at rescues/shelters?  They have no idea of where there dog came from or what kind of breeding took place?  Do we have our head in the sand if we get a puppy/dog in this manner?  I got my puppy from an ignorant breeder, don't even think she qualified as a BYB, she only wanted to "try" to breed dogs...had no clue about the breed and bred one litter realized the work it involved and then re homed the pups and parents.  I got on of the pups for the cost of shots/worming and she is a good dog...very smart and very loving.  So, does that mean that my head is in the sand because I did not go to the reputable breeder for a pup?  Or, did I just spare one pup the journey through the shelter/rescue system and give her a good forever home.  Not everyone needs, or wants, the best bred dog in the world with lineage tracing back to the Pre-Historic days...some just want a dog that they can love and have as a companion forever, some just want a dog that needs a home.  For those of us that feel this way, the irresponsible neighbor who did not spay or neuter their dog and now there are pups galore is sometimes the best choice.

Answer 12

Laziness, stupidity, selfishness, egotism.... need I say more?

Answer 13

If I had to guess, I'd say that it's the same reason the pet shops stay in business. It' the cute factor with no real thought t where the pup came from, or caring where it came from.  And their ever so helpful sales people telling them about a health guarantee, doesn't come from a puppy mill, but a private breeder (um hum), who only breeds thirteen breeds of dogs.  And you can pay for this lovely akc registered puppy with a credit card or on time. Wow! Sure beats putting out a couple of hundred dollars all at once, yeah?

Answer 14

Love the chart... so sad that too many won't bother to learn anything from it.

Most people are misinformed, lazy and don't really care.

Answer 15

I think it's a whole raft of reasons:

Mostly, misinformation. From all sorts of places. The internet is a fabulous source of information, but it's also a fabulous resource for people who are trying to push their own agendas.

It's sometimes difficult for the general public (and I include myself in this) to tell the difference between useful information and rubbish.

Sadly, the most spectacular (and therefore most memorable) "information" comes from groups that don't allow the truth to get in the way of a good story.

Another problem comes from public perception. All too often, people will look at a headline and ignore the substance of a story. The recent BBC documentary "Pedigree Dogs Exposed" is a great example:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1LyjlX4M...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcUbCvS0Z...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpR5su-PQ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDKwbWA5T...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Szl30xomL...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFJffepQY...

I still believe that this was in many ways a very, very good programme. Unfortunately, so many people have watched it and come to the conclusion that ALL breeders of purebred dogs are bad. IT DOESN'T EVEN CLAIM THAT ON THE PROGRAMME!!!

Whilst some of the blame for this does have to go to the programme makers (the references to Hitler, and the journalist asking Ronnie Irving if he would consider fathering a child with his daughter detracted from the real issue in what would otherwise have been a superb documentary) - a lot of the problem lies with the person watching it not understanding the issues.

I've seen it on here and elsewhere, people who watched the show attacking (verbally) all breeders. In response, many (great) conformation breeders go on the defensive. And here, divisions are created.

Some very worrying problems were highlighted within that programme. For me - the biggest concerns were not just that there were so many crippled dogs, but the lack of genetic diversity that could* make it very difficult to breed these problems out.

More worrying still though - that the crippled dogs are still being placed within the show ring. This despite the Kennel Club's efforts to educate judges.

With that, even the good information becomes easier to ignore.

No wonder the general public don't know who to trust.

Answer 16

I think most people think if they want and love a dog enough, every thing bad that ever happened in that dog's life will go away. And sometimes that may work. Believe me, sometimes it doesn't. I have bought puppies just to get them out of bad situations. Although I ended up with bad puppies, retarded, genetically unsound, deaf, etc.I promised them a forever home and I meant it as long as they had an ounce of quality in their life.  

Answer 17

Everybody's made some great points -- I can't really add much.

I'm not sure why people refuse to educated themselves. I'm not sure why they put more research into their next car, or even their new dishwasher, than they do a living thing.

I'm not sure why they refuse to honor the 10-20 year commitment that buying a puppy implies.

I think it is impulse, or a sense of entitlement. I think it's materialism...the basic thinking being, "Oh...I've got to have one of those".

They don't think about the kids in sweat shops making their jeans, and they don't think about the dogs in wire rabbit cages making their puppies.

Answer 18

I've seen people put more thought and research into choosing a cell phone and plan!

Its about instant gratification and "I WANT"..  they want that cute puppie.. they want it NOW, and they dont care how they obtain it.  If they realize its a bad breeder, they justify their purchase and say they "saved" it.

Answer 19

GG, this is a great question, But if I may quote a near and dear friend..."You just can't fix stupid!!!" I get so worn out with trying, and I admire your patience.

Answer 20

my groomer told me today the breeder of his jack brought the stud over from ireland.  you know this ain't cheap.  well two litters later they had a deaf pup in each litter.  she had the stud neutered.  and all the pups from the litters were fixed and sold as pets.

his jack is very good looking and great temperament, but she didn't want the deaf gene to spread.

this is my definition of a responsible breeder.

Answer 21

Mostly, I fear that it's that people are too ignorant to realize that they're ignorant. That is; they don't know how much they don't know.

Relatively few people will *consciously* do an ostrich impression and stick their head in the sand if they *know* they're doing it, but any number of people will unintentionally or casually do that, especially if they feel the subject is irrelevant.

A person who *knows* they're ignorant will do research and study (most of the time, anyway) until they feel they've learned enough to make an informed decision. But, someone who is utterly clueless will just bumble along, confident that they've got a good handle on things. That's how disasters are born.

Answer 22

Sheer laziness!

All they want to see is the "cuteeee puppy".. where he came from, who bred him, or even what breed they have just bought etc etc are not important.

Great chart by the way and a fantastic question.

Answer 23

Sorry I'm late to this!  

As Scarlett says I say - you can't fix stupid.  The best we can hope for is to educate dog buyers.  But there will still be a large segment of the populace that wants a dog NOW - not in a year or so when the breeder they have finally decided on has a litter that has a dog that is right for them.  Being on this forum has added to my naturally cynical nature - and as much as I feel for the animals in the situation, honestly, I have no pity for the people who buy from BYBs or pet stores any more.  

Answer 24

It's selective ignorance.  Most people put more research into the car they're going to buy than into a breeder for a dog they'll (hopefully) have for 15 years.  People want instant gratification, and are too lazy and set into their ways of thinking to be educated about it.  I think eventually things will change, but it's going to take a long time and a lot of persistence.

Answer 25

I think people that don't care where the dog comes from,  don't "believe" that it really matters where their puppy or dog comes from.  Once they get it... it becomes theirs, and where the dog came from falls to the back of their minds.  I also think it's because most people wouldn't pass a responsible breeders questions in order to actually get a puppy.  Ignorant people don't see what they don't want to... and that makes their wrongs.... right.

Answer 26

omg that chart is soooo true. i took a lot of time and care researching my puppy and speaking to the owners before i got her. why would anyone spend more time researching a car that buying a dog because dogs are so much cuter!