Are You Against Breeding?

LuvMyMutt · 09-08-2006

Are you against breeding dogs, because of the health risks involved? or maybe because of the already over populated shelters?
I'm curious about everyone's opinions on the matter....
I know we have enough dogs in my area, but I wish sometimes we could breed our Spotted Mutt with a border collie...they would make such gorgeous babies! But I know it's a bad idea so I never will..but I like thinking about how cute the pups would be!

spike · 09-08-2006

Well, obviously my dog came to me already neutered. But if he wasn't, I would have had it done ASAP. Many dogs do have health issues that shouldn't be bred into future generations.

Nothing against anyone here, but I think "pet quality" dogs should be fixxed and kept as pets. It's their offspring that end up with massive health problems and/or dying in the shelter.

There is not enough 'GOOD homes' for all the pet quality dogs.

Big difference between breeding your confirmation and best of show winner, and breeding your Golden retreiver/black lab mix with hip problems, just because she is a "good pet".

A good dog breeder will check out potential owners before letting their puppy go to anyone.
A backyard breeder will let their puppy go home with anyone who can pay their asking price and not care what happens to said puppy.

r8rpwr · 09-08-2006

I am not against legitimate breeding, but I'm against people not neutering their pets and allowing them to reproduce just so they can sell the puppies for a few dollars in the parking lot of Walmart. My own sister did this; I couldn't believe it.

ScottyDoggy · 09-08-2006

The only reason we even have a pure bred dog is because someone was getting rid of him, and I adopt abandoned or neglected pets without question. He is actually my very first full blooded dog I have ever had my entire life LOL
I don't like back yard breeders or breeders in general when there are so many dogs needing homes in shelters...I just wish people would realize that a $600 dog is NOT better then a $50 mutt you can find in the paper. I can attest to this myself... I adore my little Scotty, but It's apparent already that my Heinz 57 dog has 100%'s the personality that the scotty dog does, or my mothers full blooded min pins. {shrug}

LoveOfAnimals · 09-12-2006

I disagree with breeding mutts, "designer dogs", etc. etc. Not even all purebreds should be bred.
Purposely breeding mixed breeds or "designer dogs" is just ignorant- there are already the same exact mixes in shelters that will be getting euthanized, and bringing another mixed breed is just contributing to the overpopulation. Reponsible breeding of purebreds includes breeding toward the standard; there is a goal to better the breed. Dogs should prove themselves in the show ring/in comformation to prove that they are a good example of the breed they are representing. They should be getting health testing. And, no, health testing is not getting a vet checkup. It is screening for elbows, eyes, hips, etc. People who want to be breeders should research the breed for years to learn about it and breeding. They should know the standard by heart, and pick a well bred dog of that breed that is worthy of being bred itself. A mate is extremely carefully picked to help the faults of the other dog so the puppies can be as high quality as possible.
A reputable breeder would really not earn money on the pups. You would be really lucky if you actually broke even! Breeding responsibly bites holes in your wallet. If you're earning money breeding, I'm pretty sure you're not doing it right.
Bringing innocent lives into the world should not be done lightly. Breeding your dog because it is "cute" or "has a great temperament" or to earn money is the reason that dogs are overflowing in shelters and dying every day. Please, anyone who is considering breeding for the sake of having puppies, don't do it!

Pupcake · 09-12-2006

Backyard breeding is never a good idea. Population control is a big issue. Mostly for me, its because people do it for money (selling the pups) or because they think the dogs would be cute or even "be" like the parents. They have a cute, pretty and/or sweet dog and think that magically, a perfect little litter of goodness will come out of the mix.

Both of my dogs are from bad breeding and irresponsible people. Its like having a child so you can have "someone to love" without the thought process that maybe its selfish and/or the real consequences of the long term impact. Pets should be adopted for their entire lives and most people can't manage keeping a dog for the pups full life, let alone take care of a litter. Then there is the responsibility of finding good homes for each dog. Cassandra's breeding left her neurotic, manic and really... not bright. Sure, she's really cute, but she has tons of issues that the breeders didn't plan on. I guess they just threw her away with the rest of the litter because she wasn't right and they wanted to try new ones. (she was abandoned twice before she was 1)

All dogs should be fixed when they are adopted, for tons of reasons. Lets get the ones that need permanent, loving, secure homes where they can be fed, loved, trained and protected for their entire lives. THEN think about making more. Hundreds of dogs are put down every single day, because of backyard breeding, irresponsible owners and simply not having enough room. A cute dog is nice, and a loved dog is better.

r8rpwr · 09-12-2006

I agree re: "designer dogs." Yorkie-poos and the like. It's a mutt! And there are plenty of them out there already.

elaine_ambers · 09-13-2006

I have completely nothing against breeding. I believe it is great that we could be aided by science in getting the dog breed that is right for us. But it would be wonderful to go through it, only with the help of experts, of course.