PURCHASING A PUPPY
How To Recognise an Ethical Breeder
If you’ve ever been looking for a breeder and wondered “Is this an ethical breeder?” then this post is for you. But that can be a loaded question. If you are not doing the proper health testing for your breed, you are an unethical breeder.
There are four types of dog breeder:
1. Puppy Farm/Mill.
2. Commercial breeders.
3. Backyard breeders.
4. Ethical breeders.
Puppy Farms - Saving A Puppy Does NOT Equal Ethical
Many people are aware of what puppy farms are but may not realise that they still exist and are thriving. Let's clarify what a puppy farm is: It's a dog breeding operation that produces puppies continuously for substantial profit. Typically, these farms maintain multiple breeds and keep the dogs in appalling conditions. Some dogs at these farms spend their entire lives in a kennel, only leaving if they are rescued. Puppy farms breed their females every heat cycle, beginning with their first, and often use medication to induce cycles more frequently, maximizing breeding opportunities.
No health or temperament testing is conducted to determine if these animals are suitable for breeding. Once a sale is made, there is no follow-up support for the puppy owners; the breeders simply take the money and disappear. They show no interest in the wellbeing of your puppy once sold. You may even end up with a completely different mix of breeds than you were promised.
Some puppy farms attempt to appear legitimate by creating professional-looking websites and may even own IKC registered dogs.
It's puzzling that sometimes these farms charge more for their puppies than reputable breeders, depending on current demand.
Puppies from these farms are often not handled and lack positive early life experiences, leading to fearful behaviour. A well-socialised puppy is never scared but confident and friendly. If you choose a nervous puppy you will have a nervous adult dog which can lead to severe behavioural anxiety and even aggressive behaviour.
Commercial Breeders - Registered Does NOT Equal Ethical
Commercial breeders, also known as commercial kennels, are large operations that have been inspected by local authorities to ensure they comply with basic regulations. These rules mandate humane treatment of animals, including proper housing, basic nutrition, and basic veterinary care. While these facilities often employ full-time staff to care for the breeding animals, however, the situation is far from satisfactory.
For these breeders, selling puppies is purely a business, focused primarily on profit. The care provided extends only to the most basic needs; there is no temperament testing for parent dogs, nor are they checked for genetic conditions. Dogs are raised in kennel environments, not in family homes, which is far from ideal for animals meant to live as pets. The lack of interaction and socialisation with humans means that these puppies are not well-prepared for life in a typical home environment.
Furthermore, the current legislation in Ireland does not require that puppies are raised to be temperamentally sound. The behaviour of the dogs is not a priority during inspections of these facilities. Commercial breeders may have hundreds of breeding females on-site and, similar to puppy farms, show little concern for where the puppies end up or the support new owners might need once the puppy is taken home. They also show no interest in ensuring you get a puppy or breed that suits your lifestyle. It remains a profit-driven business where you are simply a customer. An ethical breeder will maintain contact with the puppy's new family for years after the puppy has been purchased.
Backyard Breeders - Nice Does NOT Equal Ethical
Backyard breeders can be categorised into two types: honest and dishonest.
Honest backyard breeders often don't realise their breeding practices are unethical. They're typically pet enthusiasts who love their dogs and breed them, sometimes keeping a puppy for themselves. This aspect of their operation isn’t entirely different from what responsible breeders do. However, their understanding and approach to breeding are flawed because they often lack the necessary knowledge about proper health testing and the existence of national breed clubs. While not ill-intentioned, their lack of education about breeding standards makes their practices unethical.
Furthermore, these breeders might engage in breeding as a hobby without understanding the responsibilities it entails. This misconception leads them to overlook essential health screenings, which can result in puppies prone to inherited diseases like hip or elbow dysplasia. These conditions are not only painful for the dogs but also lead to high medical costs for the owners.
Honest backyard breeders might be kind and genuinely love their dogs, but affection alone doesn’t guarantee the health of the puppies. The cycle often perpetuates as they encourage others to breed similarly, contributing to a cycle of unethical breeding practices. The impact is a continuation of breeding without regard for health or ethical standards, often resulting in significant welfare issues for the dogs involved.
Dishonest Backyard breeders on the other hand know exactly what they are doing. I refer to them as "dishonest" because they deliberately choose not to follow ethical breeding standards. These breeders are cognisant of the need for health testing and are aware that they are misleading potential buyers with their well-crafted websites, exploiting the buyers' lack of knowledge.
These breeders might conduct DNA testing, which is relatively inexpensive, and present it as comprehensive health testing to deceive buyers. They intentionally avoid more costly and revealing tests for conditions like hip and elbow dysplasia, which cannot be detected through DNA testing alone. The reason for omitting these important health checks is clear: it cuts into their profits, much like it would for commercial breeders or puppy farms.
The financial implications are significant; a breeding dog that fails a health clearance could mean a substantial loss in revenue, especially since these dishonest breeders typically charge far more than ethical breeders.
Once the transaction is complete, these unscrupulous breeders show no concern for the well-being of the puppy or the customer. Unlike puppy farms, where the welfare of breeding dogs is often neglected, these backyard breeders may provide adequate care for their breeding animals and do just enough to appear legitimate, misleading buyers into thinking they are ethical.
Red Flags
The above definitions are all well and good, but here are some red flags marking unethical breeders:
Failing to conduct health testing on breeding dogs.
Breeding unregistered dogs.
Offering full registration to indiscriminate buyers.
Charging higher prices for dogs with full registration compared to those with limited registration.
Refusing to show prospective buyers the environment where puppies are raised.
Not allowing buyers to meet the puppies' mother.
Using DNA testing to obscure the absence of comprehensive health testing.
Creating deceptive, overly polished websites that conceal information or make false claims.
Focusing breeding practices on specific colors.
Intentionally breeding mixed breed dogs.
Breeding dogs solely for profit.
Not participating in any formal dog competitions or breeding evaluations.
Placing breeding animals in guardian homes rather than under direct breeder supervision.
Allowing buyers to take puppies home without a prior visit to meet them.
Lacking a puppy contract that includes provisions for returning the puppy if rehoming becomes necessary.
Ethical Breeders - The True Hobby Breeder
True hobby breeders are driven by a commitment that goes far beyond financial gain. They actively participate with their dogs in a range of activities including showing, obedience, rally, agility, field trials and other sports. For them, the essence of breeding is not just reproduction but competition and the preservation of their chosen breed's integrity.
These breeders are deeply invested in their dogs’ well-being and future. They undertake comprehensive health and DNA testing, and ensure their puppies undergo early neurological stimulation (ENS) and extensive socialisation to prepare them for integration into their new homes. They also perform temperament testing to ensure each puppy is placed with the most suitable family. Moreover, hobby breeders meticulously vet potential owners, often investigating them more thoroughly than the buyers might investigate the breeders.
Hobby breeders are dedicated to supporting the puppy and its family for the lifetime of the dog, always available to answer any questions, regardless of how trivial they may seem. They strive to produce the best puppies possible, ensuring these animals enjoy the highest quality of life and continue to regard each puppy as a cherished member of their own family even after it has been rehomed. Should the need arise, every dog they breed is welcome back into their home, helping to keep dogs out of shelters and contributing to rescue efforts. Ultimately, hobby breeders see themselves as stewards of their breed, dedicated to its protection and perpetuation for future generations.
In summary
Choosing between the different categories of breeders really comes down to the following things:
Your comfort level with potential health risks.
Your personal ethics regarding animal welfare.
The importance you place on the upbringing, health, and temperament of your future dog.
Your desire for ongoing support from the breeder.
Money, effort and patience you will put into choosing a puppy.
If you are concerned about choosing the right puppy for your always engage the expertise of a qualified professional dog behaviourist or trainer to help you.
Adapted from an article by Maegan from The Canine Chasm.