Hello Guys! I know this is a touchy subject for some but I was wondering why do people breed? What I mean by this,is that there are plenty of dogs without homes and from what I understand, which is a novice level of knowledge at best about breeding; its very difficult to cut even as far as finances go. Do breeders just do it for the love of the breed and to better the breed standard or is there actually some financial gain breeders get from this. From what Ive seen it is an incredibly demanding job to breed a couple of times a year keep up with the training of your sire and dam and manage to have a life or a job.

Really good breeders generally lose money on their litters. A good breeder is not in it for profit...or they'd be doing something else.

Reputable breeders put a TON of work into their breeding program in the form of hours of their time as well as money. Most do it because they are just that passionate about dogs and about their particular breed(s). They want to help reduce genetic issues in their breed(s) and improve the qualities that they love most in their breed(s).

I know some breeders and I can see the great satisfaction they have in helping to shape their breed. It's like being a caretaker of something that you then pass on to future generations to enjoy. The greatest breeders leave a positive mark on the dogs descended from their lines and that has got to be pretty rewarding. How often do you get to help shape the future...and try to make it a better, brighter future for the dogs you love?

I can see the appeal, but I don't think I'd ever have the time, money, energy, and dedication to do it myself. I admire those who do and all the work they do that benefits dogs.

While it is true that there are plenty of great dogs that need homes, most reputable breeders make certain their dogs go to good homes and will take back a dog they've bred if for any reason the owners can no longer keep it. Most I know are also active in rescue organizations for their breed.

I breed, and in all honesty I sometimes ask myself why with the millions of dogs that are killed every year in this country.

Betty;

You breed because you love your breed, and that is the only way to maintain the standards that these breeds were originally developed for. What would the military or police do if the only dogs that were available were rescues? Especially with working and hunting dogs, the individual traits necessary could not be maintained without breeding programs.

It seems like an overwhelming prospect, but the way to reduce unwanted litters and scores of unwanted dogs is for people to educate them selves and learn some ethics to not only stop unplanned litters, but also to decrease demand for dogs by adopting/purchasing only with careful consideration. I wish there was an exhorbitant fee for getting rid of an unwanted dog. People wouldn't be so quick to adopt that cute, cuddly, little future 100lb beast if they knew the shelter was going to ask for $200 when they dropped it off.

If all humans do not cooperate, the responsible ones among us are left to deal with the consequences. SAD.

Here's the thing, though. The person who put this under "reason for surrender" on one of my adopted dogs' forms ... "DON'T WANT NO MORE" .... that person isn't likely to fork over the $200, IMO. That person is more likely to dump the dog somewhere.

It's terrible, I know. But I just don't know a way to get around needing a place for people to surrender unwanted dogs.




"It seems like an overwhelming prospect, but the way to reduce unwanted litters and scores of unwanted dogs is for people to educate them selves and learn some ethics to not only stop unplanned litters, but also to decrease demand for dogs by adopting/purchasing only with careful consideration. "

You are so right.

 Quote: Connie Sutherland

Here's the thing, though. The person who put this under "reason for surrender" on one of my adopted dogs' forms ... "DON'T WANT NO MORE" .... that person isn't likely to fork over the $200, IMO. That person is more likely to dump the dog somewhere.

It's terrible, I know. But I just don't know a way to get around needing a place for people to surrender unwanted dogs.

"It seems like an overwhelming prospect, but the way to reduce unwanted litters and scores of unwanted dogs is for people to educate them selves and learn some ethics to not only stop unplanned litters, but also to decrease demand for dogs by adopting/purchasing only with careful consideration. "

You are so right.

Yes, and they do the SAME with Unwanted Infants, dumping them alive into the TRASH ... That's why "no questions asked" Newborn Sanctuary laws have been passed, whereby anyone can discard Unwanted Babies at hospitals & firehouses, etc. -- If they had to pay a FINE for ditching their "Nuisance Newborns" at safe facilities, then they'd just resort once again to the DUMPSTER.

 Quote: Karen Tunkel

Really good breeders generally lose money on their litters. A good breeder is not in it for profit...or they'd be doing something else. Reputable breeders put a TON of work into their breeding program in the form of hours of their time as well as money. Most do it because they are just that passionate about dogs and about their particular breed(s). They want to help reduce genetic issues in their breed(s) and improve the qualities that they love most in their breed(s). I know some breeders and I can see the great satisfaction they have in helping to shape their breed. It's like being a caretaker of something that you then pass on to future generations to enjoy. The greatest breeders leave a positive mark on the dogs descended from their lines and that has got to be pretty rewarding. How often do you get to help shape the future...and try to make it a better, brighter future for the dogs you love? I can see the appeal, but I don't think I'd ever have the time, money, energy, and dedication to do it myself. I admire those who do and all the work they do that benefits dogs. While it is true that there are plenty of great dogs that need homes, most reputable breeders make certain their dogs go to good homes and will take back a dog they've bred if for any reason the owners can no longer keep it. Most I know are also active in rescue organizations for their breed.

This is a great post! As I embark on my first litter, I first have to say I will NEVER make my money back with these puppies on ANYTHING - not on the litter costs, not on the training, travel, competition, equipment, vet bills, health testing etc for the dam and sire. I am doing this because I believe the dogs that I am choosing to breed will benefit the breed as a whole with what they produce.

If all the good breeders stopped breeding, we would have very little left. We need breeders like Betty to maintain the quality in the breed and continue to produce dogs who can still perform the task(s) originally bred for.

The good breeders are not usually contributors to the shelter problem as they take their dogs back or aid in placement into a new home. Most of the time the dogs in the shelter were bought from the paper/neighbor/puppy mill/pet store/internet classifieds for a reduced rate to the first person to arrive with cash, no questions asked. The people breeding those dogs need to stop, that would help.

Also as an aside, the poodle mixes are getting out of hand, I was pretty upset after seeing the dobedoodles advertised, but once the Shepadoodles came along I near had an anurism.

 Quote: Candi Campbell

 Quote: Connie Sutherland

Here's the thing, though. The person who put this under "reason for surrender" on one of my adopted dogs' forms ... "DON'T WANT NO MORE" .... that person isn't likely to fork over the $200, IMO. That person is more likely to dump the dog somewhere.

It's terrible, I know. But I just don't know a way to get around needing a place for people to surrender unwanted dogs.

"It seems like an overwhelming prospect, but the way to reduce unwanted litters and scores of unwanted dogs is for people to educate them selves and learn some ethics to not only stop unplanned litters, but also to decrease demand for dogs by adopting/purchasing only with careful consideration. "

You are so right.

Yes, and they do the SAME with Unwanted Infants, dumping them alive into the TRASH ... That's why "no questions asked" Newborn Sanctuary laws have been passed, whereby anyone can discard Unwanted Babies at hospitals & firehouses, etc. -- If they had to pay a FINE for ditching their "Nuisance Newborns" at safe facilities, then they'd just resort once again to the DUMPSTER.

But here's the paradox... EVEN WITH newborn sanctuary laws, newborns are being found in dumpsters. Sadly, lack of forethought and education result in drastic measures AFTER it's too late for prevention. As long as people choose ignorance, there is no solution.

 Quote: Duane Hull

 Quote: Candi Campbell

 Quote: Connie Sutherland

Here's the thing, though. The person who put this under "reason for surrender" on one of my adopted dogs' forms ... "DON'T WANT NO MORE" .... that person isn't likely to fork over the $200, IMO. That person is more likely to dump the dog somewhere.

It's terrible, I know. But I just don't know a way to get around needing a place for people to surrender unwanted dogs.

"It seems like an overwhelming prospect, but the way to reduce unwanted litters and scores of unwanted dogs is for people to educate them selves and learn some ethics to not only stop unplanned litters, but also to decrease demand for dogs by adopting/purchasing only with careful consideration. "

You are so right.

Yes, and they do the SAME with Unwanted Infants, dumping them alive into the TRASH ... That's why "no questions asked" Newborn Sanctuary laws have been passed, whereby anyone can discard Unwanted Babies at hospitals & firehouses, etc. -- If they had to pay a FINE for ditching their "Nuisance Newborns" at safe facilities, then they'd just resort once again to the DUMPSTER.

But here's the paradox... EVEN WITH newborn sanctuary laws, newborns are being found in dumpsters. Sadly, lack of forethought and education result in drastic measures AFTER it's too late for prevention. As long as people choose ignorance, there is no solution.

You can lead a Horse's Ass to school, but you can't make it attend class.

Something unfeasible, but efficient, would be actually paying for the abandoned dogs. But even that, with the best intentions in the world, can unfortunately be capitalized on.

I know for a fact that there is a local breeder who pays 20% of the price paid for a dog to get the dog back should its owners not want it anymore. She'll never sell a dog again to that family, of course, but she offers that so the dog will not be abandoned or sold to some unknown third party. She'll then proceed to spaying or neutering the returned dog, if she deems it unlikely to be bought by a new owner and unfit for breeding, and puts it up for adoption - a purebred, good-lineaged adult dog - for a fee of R$ 1.000 to R$ 2.000 in premium animal food or commonly-used vet medicine to be donated to local dog and cat shelters. She does it because she can, though - her parents left her a small fortune plus real estate, so she doesn't need the money to pay for her bills.