Lately I’m seeing more and more breeder bashing being posted on social networks and forums. It’s become apparent there are many people involved in animal rescue and adoption that have a true hatred towards breeders regardless of their reputation, passion towards the breed, and efforts towards ensuring permanent, appropriate, and loving homes are found for the puppies they sell.

I have to admit, I’ve been negatively approached on Facebook on two separate occasions from personnel that are involved with animal rescue. They both verbally attacked without merit or cause. Their goal is to attempt public humiliation towards any breeder by falsely accusing them of breeding for the mere fact of making profitable gains on the sale of puppies without the concern of the lifelong welfare of the puppies sold. These accusations towards any and all breeders are usually unjustly assumed and without true merit. I’m know that many personnel that work for animal rescue agencies are very kind hearted people who aren’t ignorant like the ones that seem to troll social networks and forums looking to raise cane with any breeder possible. However, for the ones that deliberately instigate controversy with any and all breeders for the sole purpose of making them look like “bad guys” for breeding is absolutely absurd.

I can relate to some of the animosity that emanates from rescue workers that have negative opinions towards breeders. After all, there are many breeders who aren’t breeding healthy quality dogs and once the sale is made they have no concern about their future welfare. I will also agree that this is a major problem throughout the country. However, those breeders who are breeding appropriately are very much against those backyard breeders and puppy mills that are breeding for the mere aspect of financial gain vice the production of healthy top quality pure bred dogs that complement the breed standards. With this said, both disgruntle rescue workers and professional breeders are on the same page. The only difference is, many of the rescue workers don’t differentiate between a reputable and professional breeder from a puppy mill breeder and carry the same resentment towards all breeders.

Regardless of the animosity from some animal rescue workers towards breeders, I actually have the utmost respect for those that dedicate themselves towards the rehoming of animals that have been discarded by their original owners. I’m thankful there are shelters for these animals and the aspect of finding permanent and loving homes for these animals is possible. I understand also that the amount of animals that get adopted from these rescue shelters is something that each individual wishes to maintain at a high level as it shows the state that their efforts are productive and investments into the shelter aren’t going to waste. It seems as though when the kennels get filled and more and more dogs are euthanized it’s due time to strike out at all breeders that can found and chastise, belittle, and condemn them. Having a shelter full of mutts, mixed breeds, aggressive behaved dogs, health issued and unhealthy dogs and other issues suddenly becomes the fault of all breeders and when they can’t find homes for these dogs it obviously builds resentment towards breeders. It’s almost as though the breeder bashing is a tool used to help persuade the minds of people looking for a pet for their family and realize many people with big hearts will in fact feel guilty for buying a pure bred dog vice rescuing a dog from a shelter.

Here’s the hard truth that animal shelters don’t want to hear:

90% of the dogs that end up rendered by an owner to a shelter are there because not one of their relatives, friends, neighbors, or coworkers wanted their dog. Every person they knew, as well as the people who met their dog, did not wish to adopt him or her. Factually a dog that is well behaved, healthy, and a joy to be around isn’t a dog that’s hard to find a loving and permanent home for especially those dogs which are pure bred. Unfortunately animal shelters are abused as dumping grounds for dogs that have aggression issues either towards people, kids, or other animals. Others may be in need of costly medication for health issues. Many will also have some type of negative personality disorder or quirk that requires extensive training. Some of these issues are the fault of the owner due to neglect and proper care of the dog. These individuals should never owned a dog to begin with and most likely purchased the dog on a whim without a huge financial commitment. How many times have we seen someone at the side of the road or parking lot at Wal-Mart selling Pit Bull puppies from the back of their car or truck with a card board boxing saying “Pit Bull Pups - $300”? Many of these puppies will in fact end up at shelters. For those with big hearts that are looking to adopt a dog will find out quickly when they visit their local animal shelter that most of the dogs have serious issues and the cute puppies and adult dogs they saw advertised online, TV, etc are nowhere to be found. Many people looking to adopt a dog would rather look through their local newspaper at the ads for “Free dog to loving home.” This is a good way to meet the owners and truly get a feel of how the dog acts in his or her own environment that they are comfortable with. This is obviously another great way to do a good deed by adopting a dog and giving it a great new life. Many would rather go this route verse gamble with adopting a dog from a shelter that will still charge you money for the adoption.

So why are people buying puppies from breeders vice adopting a dog from a shelter?

For starters, many people now a days are conducting thorough research for reputable breeders who are producing quality dogs that are free from genetic disorders and health complications as well dogs that have proper temperament and character. To many, these are very important attributes that they wish to have when bringing in a dog to become a welcomed family member. The aspect of raising a puppy as early as 8 weeks of age also provides them with the reassurance that the dog will be well socialized and trained properly by themselves. People also like to spend time with the parents of a litter to get an idea who they are in regard to temperament, character, health, structure, and conformation. This provides people with a lot of confidence on what to expect from a puppy from the same bloodline. The bottom line is many people are looking for a pure bred dog that holds pedigree value for the reputation that bloodline has historically earned. Not everybody is willing to take a gamble with a full grown adult at a shelter that was dropped off because the original owner didn’t have one person they knew that wanted their dog. It’s a fact most dogs at the pound are mutts and weren’t bred with any attention or professionalism to ensure the offspring were going to better the breed in any way. Even if a pound or shelter had a gorgeous full grown purebred Doberman, Boxer, German Shepard, etc available for adoption doesn’t mean a family looking to adopt a dog would feel comfortable about putting this dog in their home with young kids. Let’s face it, people who are adopting these dogs are taking a chance at how well that dog is going to act and react to someone’s family members, neighbors, other animals etc. Some do not wish to take those chances. Yes, the shelter will claim to give you an assessment of the dog’s character and temperament but unless they’ve lived with the dog for a substantial amount of time they are only making an assumption. They make no guarantees and usually have you sign paperwork which doesn’t hold them legally responsible for any negative actions from the dog they’re adopting (or selling) to you.

The common approach from animal rescues and shelters is to make people feel guilty for buying a puppy from a breeder when so many adult dogs and in need of adoption. It would be the same mentality to make people feel guilty for having their own child when there are so many children at orphans looking for a home. Maybe you should feel guilty for buying a new car when there are an overwhelming abundance of used cars available that may be older but with a little attention, maybe a little money, and some time to invest in them they could be good as new. So what if the used car isn’t as reliable and you have no clue about the way it was cared for and treated. Just do the right thing and get a used car instead of a new one and if you did buy a new one you should feel bad that you did so. Yes, I know I shouldn’t be making comparisons like this but I’m actually not trying to make a comparison I’m simply trying to point out the mentality of two subjects and the way people think about them. With this said don’t attempt to quote me on the comparisons when they were used only to open your eyes to a way of thinking. I think there are plenty of good dogs to be found at shelters that need good homes. Unfortunately there are a lot more dogs with serious problems at these shelters as well as those that may very well be euthanized if a proper home cannot be found for them. The overwhelming occurrence of this happening is unsatisfactory and things need to be changed to prevent it. However, the answer isn’t to stop all breeding until shelters are free from animals. The problem needs to be resolved by imposing strict state laws on breeding. Yes, I said it right – Very strict laws on breeding. Here are my suggestions to dramatically decrease the volume of dogs being rendered to shelters:

• All Breeders are to be screened, licensed, and abide by an outlined strict guide of regulations.

• All Breeders receive unannounced annual visits to ensure regulations are being adhered to and all animals are properly cared for.

• All Breeders who are selling animals and receiving money for them will actually be registered as a business and claiming taxes on the sale and income of their puppies just like pet stores do. (Something almost every breeder tries their best to come up with excuses as to why they don’t.)

• All Breeders must microchip their dogs and puppies so their information will permanently be affiliated with the dogs they produce. This way all stray dogs or dogs forfeited to a shelter could be tracked back to the breeder who at that time would be responsible for the dog.

• All Breeders will be required to conduct strict contracts on the sale of their puppies which dictates that under any circumstance that the puppy they sell should ever require to be rehomed that it be returned to the breeder who will take full responsibility for finding it an alternative and permanent home.

• All rescue shelter and pounds be provided a listing of local licensed breeders. Breeders of the particular breed that was rendered would be called and expected to take on the responsibilities of sheltering the dog and finding an appropriate home.

• All mixed breeds (mutts) would be required to be neutered or spayed.

• Any individual found to be guilty of breeding without a license or having an “accidental” breeding would receive a fine by the state.

These are just a few ideas that would make a huge impact on the problem we have in our country in regard to an overwhelming abundance of unwanted animals filling up our rescue shelters and pounds. Until new laws are written we will continue to have this problem and the answer isn’t to bash all breeders. The answer is to regulate them and enforce strict guidelines and regulations.

This is a long post but I one I feel is well warranted based on all the resentment I see towards breeders on so many forums and social networks. There’s even a Facebook page called “I Hate Dog Breeders” which has absolutely zero tolerance for ALL breeders regardless of their passion for the breed they develop, the reputation they’ve earned, and the professionalism they have as breeders. They are a hate group any way you slice it. Here’s their website - http://ihatedogbreeders.wix.com/i-hate-dog-breeders. They aren’t the only ones pushing to stop all dog breeders. Do some research and you’ll see plenty. However, you won’t see too much talk about what they’re doing to change things and improve the problem with all these abandoned dogs and other animals. I think if you spend 5 minutes reading some of the things written on theses websites and social sites you’ll easily see the stupidity and slander that caused me to take the time to write this post. I’m not expecting that everyone will agree with all the things I’ve said. However, I’m confident many of the things I brought up will be agreed upon because I speak truth and facts and I speak with years of experience as a breeder. Yes, I am a breeder. I breed English Bill Terriers. I can’t lie to anyone and say I’m ashamed to be a breeder of a breed of canine I love so dearly. However, if you were to google “Bull Terrier rescue in NC” you’re sure to see our website come up first on the page, above all rescue organizations. That’s because we dedicate ourselves with rescue efforts as well. As a matter of fact, try researching the availability of bull Terriers for rescue in the state of North Carolina. I’m not trying to pad myself on the back for how many Bull Terriers we’ve rescued and rehomed over the years but I am planting the idea that something we’re doing is affective and I’m confident if all breeders maintained this standard we would no longer have this animosity between rescue organizations and breeders.
Best of all we would enormously minimize the amount of homeless animals as well as the growing number that are euthanized.

Now go hug your dog and be thankful there was a breeder out there that helped make it possible for him or her to be a part of your life.
:D

For More Information:  http://bulliesofnc.com/adultsadoptionrescue

Cooper is currently located in South Carolina.

http://www.bulliesofnc.com/2143.html