Using a responsible breeder

(the following was written by friend's client, and I agree with much of what he says!)

"My purchase of a WELL-BRED dog did not sentence another dog to death.

My purchase of a well-bred dog did not cause an increase in the number of dogs in kennels.

I wanting a dog with a predictable temperament from a healthy lineage did not cause the loss of adoption of another dog.

My meticulous research and support for only the most responsible of breeders is not the problem. That's not what you should be mad about. That's not what you should be blaming.

I am not the one who irresponsibly gave birth to these dogs and left them in a shelter. Responsible breeders are not the ones who put dogs in kennels.

It is my home, my life. It's my choice of what kind of dog to bring in. Maybe I needed a working dog, a sport dog, or just a companion puppy of a breed I like. No matter the reason, my choice to support a reputable breeder didn't put a dog in the kennel to death.

A breeder who tests health, tests temperament, studies pedigree, participates in current education of the best ways to raise puppies and continues to improve and love each and every dog, demonstrates that a dog worthy of being bred, and only when it does is beneficial to the breed does it not contribute to the number of homeless dogs.

The number of homeless dogs in the world is an issue, but it is not an issue exacerbated by reputable breeders and those who buy from them.

Your neighbor on the street who refuses to contain his (moreover un-neutered) dogs IS contributing to the problem.

Your friend who bought a dog at a pet store IS contributing to the problem.

That online merchants who sells cheap pedigree dogs IS contributing to the problem.

Your relative who simply MUST let her dog have a litter "to be able to experience motherhood" or because "she is just super sweet" IS contributing to the problem.

Your old high school classmate who bought a high-energy breed (without taking the time to inquire about what the dog is naturally like,) and notices it wasn't right for him, IS contributing to the problem.

A reputable breeder offers their support throughout their life. A reputable breeder would never allow their dogs to end up in a kennel, for starters. A reputable breeder has a contractual obligation to return the dogs they have produced to them if you are unable to keep them.

It is understandable to be angry about the number of homeless dogs in the world, but if you look deeper, you will find that your anger towards responsible breeders is out of place."