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  • Why You Should Use An Ethical Breeder

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    I recently wrote an article entitled Yes, You CAN Get a Puppy If You Want One. If you haven’t had a chance to read it, you can check it out here.

    The comments, especially from other veterinary professionals, weren’t very nice. They ripped me apart, both in terms of the topic and the writing style. I was pretty upset about all the comments I received, since I was just trying to write a piece to help people not feel bad if they genuinely wanted a puppy.

    One of the main concerns about the article was that it didn’t address the issue of ethical breeding versus backyard breeding at all. For this reason, I have decided to write what ethical breeding really is.

    So, what is ethical breeding?

    Ethical breeders are ALL about the breed. 

    They want to preserve the breed so that they will breed only the best representatives of the breed. They will even go above and beyond, conducting health testing to ensure that they are selling the highest quality and healthiest animals possible.

    This may include OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) testing. They have a database of tests that can be run to make sure that puppies will be less likely to have genetic problems (such as hip dysplasia).

    They may also request that you visit their home or kennel before picking a puppy. 

    You will want to ensure that the puppies appear healthy, happy, and clean. Are they active and playing around? Are they a good weight and look solid? Does the mother look delighted to be with them? You can tell a lot about a breeder by looking at their moms and puppies.

    That being said, during COVID, more and more people did visits like this over Zoom. If the breeder isn’t close to you, you can request a visit online so that you can still take a look at the breeder’s setup and how their animals look.

    Photo Courtesy of Canva

    They will require a contract to ensure that their puppies get taken care of. 

    They may ask you what you are planning to do with your dog. The breeder may require you to spay or neuter your pet at a certain age. They may also ask that you return the dog to you if anything happens. Regardless of the dog’s age, owners would prefer to take them back rather than have the dog end up in a shelter.

    Ethical breeders want the best for their puppies. 

    This includes ensuring that they receive the socialization they need to raise healthy and confident dogs. They work with their puppies on socialization and training to ensure that they are ready to be homed.

    Because they do so much with their puppies, they have a good idea of what each puppy will need.

    Good, ethical breeders match puppies with families. You don’t get to choose a puppy. You let the breeder know what you are looking for (show, pet, working, etc.) and they will figure out which puppy will best fit your lifestyle. If you are active and prefer the outdoors, they will ensure that you get a puppy that is confident and playful. If you are looking for a companion to sit beside you, they will help you find the right dog for you. If you have little ones, they will choose a puppy that they think will handle your children.

    Photo Courtesy of Canva

    Ethical breeders are all ABOUT the breed. They are going to choose the best parents to ensure that their puppies are of high quality and are able to do what they were bred for. They spend a lot of time with their puppies and will do what they can to ensure they are properly socialized. They will also help you choose the right puppy for you, rather than allowing you to choose one that you want. Not only that, but they are happy to match puppies with the right family.

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    Please note, the information provided is for educational and informational purposes only. Although I am a veterinary professional, this blog should not be used as a substitute for professional veterinary advice. 

    If your pet is experiencing a medical problem or concern, please contact a veterinary health professional immediately. 

  • Yes, You CAN Get a Puppy If You Want One

    As a veterinary professional, I firmly believe in the importance of adoption and rescuing dogs that need homes. You can even get puppies that have been rescued and need someone to love them.

    I truly get the saying, “Adopt, don’t shop.” That being said, it also irritates me. If you WANT to buy yourself a puppy, you shouldn’t be made to feel bad about it! That being said, many people that you meet will make you feel bad for buying a puppy instead of “saving one” that needs a good home.

    However, if you want to buy yourself a puppy, there is no reason why you should feel guilty. In fact, here are some reasons why you shouldn’t feel guilty about choosing your next best friend!

    One of the biggest reasons why one would choose a puppy over a rescue dog is that you don’t want to deal with issues!

    The shelters are filled with dogs who have problems. Many are stressed and filled with anxiety. Some are there because they don’t get along with other dogs or cats (which you may or may not be able to find out before you adopt).

    Many have serious behavioral issues that can be hard to live with. It may take months or years of work, as well as medication and daily care, to help the dog live a life as normal as possible.

    In fact, you can raise the puppy the way that you want it. 

    A new puppy is very impressionable, and you will be able to start his or her training in the way that you want it to.

    If you want to housebreak your dog to go outside or inside on a puppy pad, you can do that. Don’t want a dog on your couch or bed? Start young. If you adopt a rescue dog, they may already have a certain behavior, which can make it challenging to change.

    Shelters are often full of Pitbulls, which you may not be allowed to have. 

    Unfortunately, shelters are often filled with dogs, such as Pitbulls and other breeds deemed “vicious.” If you are renting a home, you may struggle to find a place to live if you bring along your large dog, regardless of how well-behaved it is.

    If you have your own home, you may end up paying more for your homeowners’ insurance simply because of the type of dog that you have. Some companies may not even insure you if you have the type of dog that could be considered dangerous.

    When buying working dogs, upbringing and training are everything. 

    Many livestock guardian dogs are with sheep and goats before they are ready to leave their parents! Many hunting dogs require training as soon as possible, whether they work with their owners or begin training as soon as they find their new home. It also helps to have parents who have the “drive.” These dogs are more likely to succeed at their new job.

    You may not even be able to get a rescue dog. 

    There are numerous rules and regulations that come with getting a rescue dog. Although some make sense, such as ensuring that their other pets are vaccinated and spayed, others can be quite unusual.

    Fences are a good idea, but I had one client who was turned away because she worked outside the home! The rescue team wanted to ensure that the dog would never be alone. Others have been turned away due to their age. They worry about what will happen if something were to happen to the adopter. Families with young children may not be able to adopt a dog as easily as others.

    As one person put it, purebred guilt? Is that a thing now? 

    Why are we even taking the time to worry about this? There are so many things to worry about; this should not be one of them! This rings very true. If you want a puppy, get one and don’t worry about it for a moment!

    It was also mentioned, it is no one’s business but your own. 

    If you are happy with the puppy that you chose, be happy. Don’t worry about what others are going to say.

    Someone added, if you feel guilty, it is up to you to come to terms with your conscience. 

    Though many prefer to adopt, if you don’t, that is your decision, and you should stand by it. Nobody should make you feel guilty for making a decision that is right for you and your family.

    Some people say that you should not feel bad because you are not the one breeding the dogs. 

    That being said, many people would argue that you are supporting breeders who will continue to bring puppies into an already overpopulated world.

    However, the truth is that responsible breeders are NOT the problem. The people who don’t spay or neuter their dogs and find themselves with an unexpected litter of puppies are the real problem. Backyard breeders who just want to breed their dogs are also part of the problem. Just because you love your dog doesn’t mean that she is meant to be a mother!

    Someone pointed out that the same could be said about children. 

    Too many children are in the foster system, yet that doesn’t stop people from having their own children. While this is true, I can see that even mentioning this in the article will raise eyebrows, and I can hardly imagine the comments I will receive. But it is a point, so I will keep it in the article anyway.

    If you choose wisely, you should never feel guilty for buying a puppy that is right for you. If you choose one that is going to fit into your lifestyle, you have nothing to feel guilty about. If you are looking for a working or show dog, ensure you buy the right puppy for the job.

    Many people even like knowing the origin of their dogs. Seeing the parents and knowing that they are healthy and may have been tested for genetic diseases can go a long way to get yourself a healthy pup for years to come!

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    I would also like to add that I consulted with other veterinary professionals. While many gave me plenty of grief for writing an article like this, when so many dogs are in shelters that need homes, others truly understood that there are times when buying a puppy is the right thing for you and your family.

    It also amazed me how many veterinary professionals (including veterinarians) can’t get dogs from shelters. Their rules and regulations make it nearly impossible for even those who work hard daily to improve the lives of pets to rescue a dog from the shelter.

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    Please note that the information provided is for educational and informational purposes only. Although I am a veterinary professional, this blog should not be used as a substitute for professional veterinary advice. 

    If your pet is experiencing a medical problem or concern, please contact a veterinary health professional immediately.