Breeding Dogs

[Westernlaw]

Many of those so called "reputable breeders" who follow a so called "code of ethics" and breed standards are responsible for pretty abhorrent traits in a number of breeds such as the bulldog, german sheperd and Cavalier king charles spaniel...... pretty sure this is neither reputable nor ethical. Organizations such as the CKC and the breeders who slavishly follow some of the ridiculous standards set by those organizations have done more of a disservice to dogs than a great many sportsman looking to breed his favored companion responsibly.

[Dakota Creek]

To the OP .....
As we all know a dog is a long term commitment and when someone decides to get a pup they are hoping to be on the receiving end of a healthy dog who will be part of the family for many years. I made no comment with regards to papers / reputable breeder only made mention of getting health clearances on your dog for hips, elbows and eyes ... Hoping of course that the owner of the dam has done the same.

Both dogs may be wonderful hunters that have the genetics / talent for waterfowl or upland (or the dog games should you decide to give that a try someday) but what if one or both dogs were to have marginal or poor hips or a genetic eye issue that by breeding would potentially be passed on to the pups thereby shortening their quality of life or lifespan? By doing this testing before the breeding, that would at least give you the satisfaction of knowing that you are starting off with healthy parents which should result in pups free of hip, elbow or eye problems.

For more information -
Hips / Elbows - www.offa.org
Eyes - www.offa.org/eyes

[last5oh_302]

The whole "reputable breeder" thing is akin to an "honorable senator"... some may be, but hard to tell which are which and which are not.

By the way - where does one buy there "reputable breeder" card from anyway??? Or how does one join this club???

I'd guess it is by moving up from being a hobby breeder.

I know of a couple of breeders who have advertised in the past in OOD and have been mentioned on the forum here in positive posts which do things which aren't quite what you'd expect from a "reputable breeder" including getting suspended by the CKC.

Give the guy a break - 10 years from now he might be one of these "reputable breeders" we speak of.

Any breeder that follows the code of ethics in the linkS provided below are "reputable breeders" and no, you don't have to be a member of a club to be an ethical breeder. It's not difficult to be aware that a breeder is ethical because that type of breeder is up front about everything they do and list the info on their site, or have the certificates readily available. That TYPE of breeder might be difficult to find however. There aren't a whole lot of them, at least not locally. Reputable breeders don't try to hide things. Just because a breeder is registered with CKC and posts about being a breeder on here doesn't automatically make them a reputable breeder. I guess some people would believe that though, as a lot of people do more research when buying a toaster than they do when buying a dog, sadly.

One of my dog's littermates had owners that separated and could no longer keep the dog. Unfortunately that dog couldn't go back to the breeder because she took her own life. Her mentor however (the person that showed her the ropes), who is a veteran COE breeder took that dog back and found a good home for it. The backyard breeder takes your money and after that you're on your own.

http://www.rrclubofcanada.org/code_ethics.html

http://www.grcc.net/?q=node/126

http://rottclub.ca/code-of-ethics/


Please read Dakots'a post. That pretty much says it all.

[krakadawn]

Evidently some posters think $1000 and a piece of paper will make a better dog owner.

Geez I go to a club training picnic trial and all this goes in the garbage pail.

BBDog, I don't necessarily think that way at all. I do know though that modern science has helped us address some of the health issues currently found in various breeds.

WHy would we not want to avail ourselves to this information? After all having a long living and healthy dog is important to us all.

The piece of paper is important to many of us who are looking for an excellent animal that will be capable (most likely) of doing what we want it to do. It represents the breeding behind our dog and that's important.

I didn't jump on Deerslayer but offered to answer any questions he might have....in fact still will. If I think you are off base I will give you my best opinion based on many years training my dogs. You are free to choose to listen or disregard. I remember where I started and know that many others are at that point. I just know how I appreciated the help then from some folks.

I don't think we should argue about back yard breeders etc.......think we know enough about that by now. I think what's more important is to discuss/share information about training or health updates that several years ago we did not have. There have been some remarkable changes is many areas of dog ownership/training.

In the end what people decide will be their choice.

Feel free to contact me Deerslayer if you're not too browned off with some of this.

Regards,

[Bluebulldog]

krakadawn...my post wasn't directed at you. You have posted very helpful info.

[last5oh_302]

Sorry couldnt resist making a crack to lighten the mood, its obvious we are all passionate about our dogs and i believe asking questions is a good thing.. carry on gentleman.

Obviously too passionate in my case. I do mean well but don't seem to get it across that way.

[jobbershunting]

There are three ways to get a dog. Rescue, adopt, or buy from a breeder that follows a code of ethics. The rest are backyard breeders.

Nothing makes your ignorance of this topic more clear than your post above.

[Jakezilla]

Well said Jobbers.

To the OP. If you want to breed your Lab I would strongly suggest you listen to, and take the advice of people like Dakota and Kraka.


Proper breeding with the goal of truly bettering a breed is not for the the faint of heart.