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Reputable purebred dog breeders are not in it for the buck
Date published: 2/16/2007 Reputable purebred dog breeders are not in it for the buck Is your dog a purebred? Purebred dogs' best friends are breeder-competitors and service-dog breeders, also known as hobby breeders. Unfortunately, many people don't know the differences between hobby breeders and the "make a buck" commercial breeders, "puppy mills," and animal dealers. Much legislation apparently directed at the abuses of the money grubbers harms the hobby breeders. Virginia is no exception. Recently, the Virginia Federation of Dog Clubs and Breeders and its representative had to work long hours to correct misconceptions that had been given to delegates and senators. Responsible breeding to improve purebred dogs and concerned care for animals separate hobby breeders and service-dog providers from the "make a buck" commercial breeders, puppy mills, and animal dealers. Responsible breeding requires hard work and sacrifice. Hobby breeders carefully consider each breeding with the goals of breed improvement and competitiveness. Breeding preparations often take months and may require a reproductive veterinarian's services. Whelping and postnatal puppy care can be very demanding and expensive. Puppy evaluations can take months. Prospect puppies go on to training and competitions. Some may be bred. Others are carefully placed, and new owners are required to spay or neuter. All are assured a good old age. Throughout these activities, proper nutrition and maintenance are required. Given all the expense and time required, responsible hobby breeders never make money. The hobby breeders' goal is producing competitive purebred dogs (or bitches) that can advance the breed. Harry Chipman Stafford
Date published: 2/16/2007
Responsible breeders require s/n of pet puppies
(posted by
, Sep. 25, 2007 2:41 pm)
Also - responsible breeders require that pet puppies be spay/neutered. This is required by legally enforceable contract and is in most breed clubs codes of ethics. Only people willing to comply with the strict rules of these codes, and often willing to accept co-ownership with the breeder, are sold pups without that requirement. Reputable breeders are a big part of the solution, not part of the problem - if every breeder was responsible and took lifetime responsibility, there would be no unwanted animals
Dogs from reputable breeders aren't the ones getting euthanized
(posted by
, Sep. 25, 2007 2:41 pm)
Without breeders, all dog breeds will be gone in a little over a decade. For my breed of dogs, adoptable dogs are not getting euthanized. To adopt a rescue, you are looking at a long wait. Lineage does not prevent animals from becoming homeless - responsible breeders do. They do it by requiring that dogs be returned to them at any point in their life - by following up on those dogs annually throughout their lives - by providing support to their owners - and by careful screening of homes initially.
Advance the breed? What about the one getting euthanized next week?
(posted by
travelin_bone
, Sep. 25, 2007 2:41 pm)
The best thing you can do for any specific breed is to help reduce the numbers and take care of those in the shelter system. Mr. Chipman, I assure you lineage does not keep an animal from becoming homeless or being bred (I don't buy that all are fixed-most new owners would want the option of breeding). Many purebreds are purchased as status symbols and once the interest wanes, off they go. I've seen breeds that cost probably $1500 as a pup wind up in a shelter ravaged with heartworm and bad social skills.
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