The good breeder

Many of you reading the title of this blog are saying to yourself "there are no good breeders."  The whole idea of dog breeders has changed drastically over the years.  Way back when I was a kid, breeders weren't shunned like they are nowadays.  Most of us got our dogs from what is now called a backyard breeder; you know, the guy down the street who had a litter.  He wasn't in it for the money, his dog just had puppies.  

Like most everything in this world, it changed.  Being a breeder can mean many different things.  When the money grubbing folks caught on that people would pay good money for a dog they jumped on the band wagon; and that my friends is where it all began to go downhill.  The millers started pumping out puppies by the thousands; that added with it a lack of paying for health and welfare of their breeding stock and they were raking in the dough.  Sad, very, very sad.  Greed is a bad thing.

Luckily there is are facts being spread about these horrible places now.  Pet stores are being stopped from carrying puppies from the cruel millers; but the help is slow and people still buy from them because they have what they want, when they want it.  Instant gratification.  The people buying the puppies don't have to think of the breeding parents; they are out of sight, out of mind.  They can live with that.  Sad, very, very sad.  

Many people who are involved with rescues only, point fingers and throw verbal stones towards all breeders.  But they are doing an injustice to those who are the good ones.  Are there good breeders out there?  Oh yes.  But they are the few scattered in among the many. 

Finding "a good breeder," takes time, effort, lots of research and dedication to find one.  A good breeder cares; that is probably the biggest thing to remember.  If they care about their dogs then they will do the best for them.  It is not all about the money.  They care about the health and welfare of the dogs that they breed and their offspring.  The caring never stopped even after they leave the nest.  

Many people start breeding on a whim; seems like a good idea.  From that moment it can go right or wrong.  Greed can grab hold and from there it spirals downhill.  If the person stands strong, ethical and in their belief to do what is right; they will always be learning, listening and trying to do their best.  These are the ones you need to find.

Bad breeders come in many shapes and sizes.  A bad breeder can produce one litter.  They aren't concerned with health; never health checked their dogs and have not educated themselves about much of anything with regards to breeding, whelping and raising puppies.  There are huge millers filled with cage after cage; where the dogs are hungry, sick and alone.  Many bad breeders try to look like a good one by posting nice pics on their website.  But if you look deep you will see clearly.  

Many bad breeders have a long list of litters on the ground at any one time.  They breed whatever they have, when they can as long as the money is coming in. Other bad breeders charge an arm and a leg for their dogs... because they can.  Bad breeders research trends and go with what the people want.  People will pay just about anything for what "is in".    

A good breeder strives to do what is right.  They will learn from mistakes.  We are all human and we all make mistakes.  Mistakes can make great people; that is if we learn from them instead of ignore and keep going. 

Good breeders do not fill the shelters with their unwanted dogs; that my friends is a fact.  It is all the other people who are breeding dogs.  So do not group "breeders" under one blanket; because to do so undoes all the good that they do for dogs.  Most good breeders do rescue as well; that is because they are truly caring individuals.  

So to you who throw verbal stones at the "good breeders," do some research before you point fingers.  For you do not know what a good breeder is versus a bad breeder.  The two are worlds apart with the only thing similar is the breeding part.  One needs to educate themselves in the difference.  It is like anything else in this world of ours; there are the really great ones who stand apart from the mediocre to the absolutely horrific.  

If we only support those who really care, things would be very different.    

Adopt, don't shop.

You've seen these signs everywhere.  It is written on people's shirts, stuck onto their bumpers and passed through the internet like wildfire.  Rescuing is a wonderful thing and as you all know I photograph rescue dogs and had a little foster girl here just last weekend.  But I also have two dogs that I purchased and care for with every ounce of nurture that is in me.   I have been scorned by some people who think that the term "shop" is a blanket statement; and that my friend is where they are very wrong.  I have pulled out my soap box to explain but alas it falls on deaf ears much of the time. 

It is the millers, don't buy from the millers.  The ones who have websites where you can buy one, two or more puppies right online.  The people who have kennels set up for multiple litters at a time.  Those who house hundreds of dogs; pumping puppies out like an assembly line.  Even when you see great, friendly websites who look like they care for their puppies; count the number of litters at a time.  I can see maybe two happening on occasion but anymore than two litters at the same time should tip you off.  When you see three, four or more litters at the same time or back to back litters then you need to move away from that breeder. 

I LOVE STANDARD POODLES; there I said it and I am proud of it.  I adore my dogs and care for them the absolute best that I can.  That said, I love dogs in general; I simply adore them.  I am not ashamed that my dogs are not rescues.  The only time you ever need to feel ashamed is when you have knowingly filled a filthy millers pockets.  By filthy I mean the type of human, not cleanliness.  When you purchase from them because you can't wait or it is easy; you have then continued the horrors that the breeder dogs live. 

When you start to look for a puppy with the intention of purchasing you must take extreme precaution.  You must ask, ask, and ask some more.  If you are going in blind you can be easily duped.  There are a great deal of dubious breeders out there.  They know what to say, they know how to get around the incorrect answers that you are looking for.  They know all too well how to push their goods and reap the benefits.  So you need to be well educated in what you are looking for. 

Over the years I have talked to many breeders.  When I've been looking for a puppy of my own, for someone else and for photography purposes.  I can weed through the BS and find the truth very easily.  When I am looking for a breeder I want someone who I mesh with; someone who believes in much of what I believe as far as dogs are concerned.  It is not always easy; good breeders can be very possessive of their goods as they should be.  A good breeder may put you through the ringer and you might end up on a very long waiting list.  This is also how it should be. 

You may even be told no; a good breeder turns people away when they don't feel that you are a good match for their dogs.  I have been told NO, that's right and I was indeed shocked; but it was only once.   Years ago I had been making plans to purchase a puppy and was then told that the very puppy I was planning had been sold to someone else.  That was a huge shocker; but again totally up to the breeder.  It is their decision entirely who puppies go to.  There was another puppy that I was told was available and while I discussed it with my family their decision to let the puppy go changed and they kept her.

Purchasing a puppy is not like going into a store and buying a pair of shoes.  No, there is a huge amount of work to do and their can be heartache involved.  It is never good to get your hopes up until that magical moment when your puppy is placed into your arms.  Although a good breeder's word should be golden; once stated that you can indeed have a puppy, only Mother Nature should revoke that word.  Things happen, life has a way of keeping us on our toes.  Not all litters are born with the perfect number that are needed for buyers. 

The bottom line is that if you want a particular breed of dog; do your homework.  Research like crazy and find a good, reputable and ethical breeder.  Someone who cares about their dogs as much as you will care about yours.  Do not pay for a puppy who is the product of a greedy humans desire.  When someone makes a living out of selling puppies; it can never end well for the dogs.  If waiting and researching is what you need to do to find a great breeder, do it.