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.    

A dog problem

There is a dog problem; without a doubt there are too many dogs.  The other night my son and I had a very in-depth conversation about the problem of too many dogs, rescuing and breeders.  It all started over Elsa's tail; as a extremely compassionate person with regards to animal welfare he just cannot understand why?  Why would anyone cut off a dog's tail.  "Why do they do it?" He asked me and I tried to explain where the practice all began.  He then asked "why do people still do it then," and I tried to answer that one. 

We then moved onto breeders, being that we were talking about those who do and those who do not amputate tails.  He took issue with people breeding dogs in general; it was an across the board statement so we discussed breeders across the board.  This is a common opinion for many people; I have been told before that I don't deserve a dog because I want a particular kind.  So I explained to him my point of view on the whole 'dog problem.'

There are too many dogs; the shelters and rescues are filled to the brim and then some.  But where do these dogs come from?  Breeders, yes, but not good breeders.  I explained to him what my list entails to be considered a good breeder. 

Breeder - has one or two litters a year, not a page long list of available puppies at any time.
  -dogs and puppies live in the house as family.
 - rescues when they can.
 - will take back a puppy or adult dog at any time to replace. (Things happen in life)
 - only breeds dogs who have been completely health screened.
 - breeds only dogs with sound temperaments.
 - breeds to build a sound dog, doesn't follow a trend.
 - breeds with a passion for their dogs; is not driven by the lure of greed.  (This shows up in  many different ways)
 - temperament tests puppies and places them in homes accordingly.  (Not picked at 2 weeks of age by the prospective owner)
 - offers the puppies external stimulus and socialization early on.
 - does not breed for what is "in."
 - will never breed an iffy dog either in temperament or structure due to anticipation, time and effort.

I could go on and on but this is my base list.  He then asked "how do you make breeders do these things?"  The answer is, you don't.  If you have to make people do all of these things then they aren't doing it for the right reasons.  I want someone who wants to do all of these things. 

We then moved onto Millers.  There lies the problem, right there.  Millers are the problem, they rely on quantity not quality to fill their pockets.  They let impulse buyers buy their goods and don't care who takes the dog as long as they pay.  Millers are the problem and that is where animal lovers should direct their attention for attack.  Shut the mills down and we will be almost there. 

I then explained about random people who want to have a litter of puppies.  They too will sell to whoever will buy.  They don't want all these puppies; they maybe wanted just one or to turn a quick buck.  They have no idea of what they are selling; there were no health tests, no temperament tests and they will give one to whoever will pay. 

Support the good breeders and go after the bad; it is that simple.  There are very, very few amazing breeders out there.  The solution to finding those is to educate the public.  But then again many of the public are not listening; they don't care as long as they get the puppy they want.  Even if it means that 2 months down the road they don't want it anymore and just dump it down a long and abandoned road. 

The topic is vast; there are many things to talk about.  But if for one minute you think that all breeders are bad, think again.   Out of all of the dogs in rescue and or shelters; a very low percentage are from the people who care, the good breeders.  It can happen but the problem is the mass producers and those who will sell a dog to anyone for money. 

The conversation will continue.....