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7.9K Views
4 years ago
Why Breeding Pets Is Irresponsible. Period.
Image Credit: Kshitij Shah/Flickr
One thing pretty much everyone can agree on is that puppy mills (and kitten mills) are horrific places and they need to be put out of business immediately. Most puppy mill puppies are sold in pet stores, which means buying dogs from pet stores puts money directly into the pockets of puppy millers. In order to stop this horrendous animal abuse, many advocate for adopting homeless animals from animal shelters and rescues, rather than buying from a pet store or breeder.
Many are quick to argue, however, that buying from “responsible breeders” does not contribute to this problem, and that it’s much better than buying a “puppy mill” dog from a pet store. While, yes, it is definitely better than contributing to puppy mills, breeding is not “responsible,” regardless of how well the animals are cared for. Not only does buying from a breeder contribute to the problem of pet overpopulation, but purebred dogs face a host of health problems that mixed breeds are far less likely to develop.
Pet Overpopulation
Right now we have far too many cats and dogs living in shelters who need homes and not enough people willing to adopt them. Buying a dog, no matter the seller, is still a part of the problem.
Why? Because when one buys a dog, they’re paying for them to be born. We’re telling the seller to continue breeding more and more animals for our benefit and their profit. For every dog that is bought, there is another dog at the shelter who will not be adopted.
Animals have made it abundantly clear that they are capable of making babies without our help. We’re told to spay and neuter our dogs so that they don’t bring more puppies into the world, but breeders are bringing more puppies into the world every day.
Purebreds Are Prone to Health Problems
Did you know that English Bulldogs don’t usually deliver their puppies vaginally, nor are they likely to breed without assistance?
Labrador Retrievers also are prone to diseases such as hip dysplasia and bloat, a disease in which the stomach becomes too full of water, food, and air, leading to the stomach to twist. This easily leads to death.
Skin problems, cataracts, spinal disc issues, and a whole host of other conditions ail many purebred dogs. Dogs who are inbred are particularly susceptible to health problems, but this issue isn’t unique to inbred dogs. Purebred dogs who are not inbred face them too.
At the end of the day, the continuous overbreeding of purebred dogs is leading to the proliferation of sick animals. There is a lot of debate on whether mixed dogs are actually healthier than purebreds, but the fact of the matter is a dog who is mixed is far less likely to develop breed-specific diseases.
Tail-Docking and Ear-Cropping
Because we’re so used to specific breeds looking a certain way, a docked tail and cropped ears are rarely given a second thought. The practice of cutting of body parts really shouldn’t be taken so lightly. In most other countries, tail-docking and ear-cropping are either illegal or restricted. Not so, here in the United States.
Not only is it common, but it’s usually done without any form of anesthesia. While some claim that tail-docking prevents tail injury, there really seems to be little reason to perform such a procedure. Not only is it largely a cosmetic surgery, but it’s a painful one at that.
In addition, the American Veterinary Medical Association does not Support the practice, saying, “Performing a surgical procedure for cosmetic purposes…implies the procedure is not medically indicated. Because dogs have not been shown to derive self-esteem or pride in appearance from having their tails docked … there is no obvious benefit to our patients in performing this procedure.”
Mixed breed shelter puppies rarely if ever have their ears cropped or tails docked because they don’t have breed-specific standards by which they are measured.
Time for a Change
While most breeders treat their dogs far better than puppy millers do, we can’t continue to claim that breeding doesn’t come with its own set of problems because it’s just not true. For those who still really want a purebred dog, there are breed-specific rescues you can check out. Or, if a puppy is what you’re looking for, there are plenty of puppies in shelters who need homes too.
Even if we could disregard the other offenses that take place in these breeding facilities, the fact that 2.7 million adoptable dogs and cats are euthanized every year is enough reason to refrain from purchasing a companion animal. If we really want to protect dogs and reduce the number of homeless animals living in shelters, buying from a breeder isn’t now and never will be a part of the solution. Regardless of whether you go for a purebred or mixed breed, adopting is really the best way to go. Remember, adopt, don’t shop!
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Just imagine if all pet breeders stopped breeding their animals even just for 1 year…….what a big difference it would make
Reputable breeders don’t breed every year… dunno why everyone is attacking good breeders it’s puppy mills and BYBs that are the causes of overpopulation.
As long as dogs are getting killed no one should breed.
but how are all pets going to get homes when people turn them in because they no longer care? and what about the people who don’t spay and neuter and have unwanted litters and just turn them into the shelter? how does making dog breeders responsible for those non-caring owners fix the problem?
but how are all pets going to get homes when people turn them in because they no longer care? and what about the people who don’t spay and neuter and have unwanted litters and just turn them into the shelter? how does making dog breeders responsible for those non-caring owners fix the problem?
There are too many dogs; dog breeders of any and every stripe or responsibility level unnecessarily add dogs to the problem. It’s irresponsible and unconscionable. Intentionally breeding even one more dog when there are currently millions in need of homes is horrendous and callous behavior.
Luz Aguilar, you are very wrong! The issue with puppy mills, backyard breeders and the like isn’t the number of dogs they produce, it is the horrendous conditions those animals are produced in that has animal welfarists up in arms. Hobby breeders (that’s the group you fall into) have very much CAUSED and continue to drive the over population crisis! That is a commonly known fact in animal rescue, I wish more people understood the cycle before adding to it. If you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem. It’s that simple!
Luz Aguilar, you are very wrong! The issue with puppy mills, backyard breeders and the like isn’t the number of dogs they produce, it is the horrendous conditions those animals are produced in that has animal welfarists up in arms. Hobby breeders (that’s the group you fall into) have very much CAUSED and continue to drive the over population crisis! That is a commonly known fact in animal rescue, I wish more people understood the cycle before adding to it. If you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem. It’s that simple!
There is no such thing as a responsible breeder! Empty the shelters, and I will be willing to listen to this ridiculous greeder apologetic nonsense.
Don’t breed or buy while shelter animals die. This is a no-brainer folks….
Thank you!
You are welcome Lisa. It’s words I live by personally.
I love it and seeing your comment = #faithinhumanity !!! ❤️
Shelters have the nicest animals! Get him/her fixed. And take them to the vet regularly to keep them healthy and happy. Our animal friends love us so much. They are worth it!
that’s another dangerous generalization, regina keels – all shelter pets are not the nicest animals – many are turned in for serious aggression problems – and as a trainer, i am qualified to say that some aggressive dogs are not capable of living in homes without putting people and other animals in serious danger. Here’s where no-kill shelters make no sense, because by keeping dangerous dogs, they take away homes for the most placeable dogs.
Kudos for your point. Known dangerous animals are usually put down and anyone considering a pet from any where should visit the place of purchase or adoption several times and interact with the animal. They should ask lots of questions. Spend as much time as one would purchasing a car. If children are concerned of course extra care should be given. My experience with shelter animals after doing all that has been wonderful.
Kudos for your point. Known dangerous animals are usually put down and anyone considering a pet from any where should visit the place of purchase or adoption several times and interact with the animal. They should ask lots of questions. Spend as much time as one would purchasing a car. If children are concerned of course extra care should be given. My experience with shelter animals after doing all that has been wonderful.
What about families that cant afford to take a pet to the vet?
That’s a choice to make. If you can’t afford to, then maybe for the well-being of the pet and public safety, you shouldn’t get one.
Also, some cities have low cost vets, so I don’t mean to sound brash; sorry if I did, but I’d look into options from shelters and vet discounts where you live.
Why would people who can’t afford to take their pets to the vet get pets?
People who can’t afford to care for pets should not acquire them. That being said, my community and many others, have low or no cost general vet clinics (spay and neuter, vaccines…emergency vets are never free and specialty care isn’t either…owners need to be prepared for those things) as well as pet food banks to ASSIST when good owners fall on hard times…many times this helps a pet stay in his home and out of the shelter while his people get back on their feet. But to go seek and acquire a pet you can’t care for is irresponsible.
Shelter animals are put through behavior assessments before being made available for adoption and many pure bred dogs have named and killed people as well…
people breed dogs for one purpose PROFIT. breeders should be neutered or spayed.
Adoption is the best option :) For those worried about dog behavior, get in touch with a local rescue. They often foster dogs in a home environment (versus kennel) and take the time to train them and work on behavior concerns. Also, shelters do not adopt out dogs that have a history of human aggression – it is a liabilty. Not to mention, adult dogs rock!!