Reptile & Amphibian Forums

this goes for every breed. The following is an idea I had. Maybe there is someone already trying to push for something like this. If so, please let me know.

It seems to be common knowledge that there is an over population of dogs due to the following:
-accidental breeding due to irresponsable owners
-intentional breeding by unethical Back-Yard-Breeders
-Puppy mills
I'm sure there are other senarios, but you get the point.
Millions of dogs are homeless on the street or in shelters and millions are put to sleep.

Why can't we have dog breeding regulated so that not every dumb ass with a dog and a bitch can sell puppies in the paper.
Pit Bulls for example can be found in two sections of the paper consistanly- the classifieds and the front page

To simply require a licence in order to breed, approved and issued by the specific breed's club, and penalize those without a licence seems to be an easy step in the right direction. The fines could contribute towards shelters.
The breeders can screen the owners so not as many dead-beats can aquire a dog, not to mention dogs will be more expensive and people will value them more than a free puppy.

Has anyone heard of any organizations that are pushing for this?
It seems that the only people that would not like this situation would be someone breeding unethically.

Please reply if you agree or disagree with my opinion of what needs to happen, as well as any suggestions.
thanks!

I think your idea is good, but I doubt you could ever put it into practice. Think of all those "hobby breeders", those who want their pet to have puppies "just this time", to mention a few. Besides there are a lot of back-yard breeders who will not give up their source of income so easily.

If you only allow breeding with licence, this would result in a lot less dogs allowed to breed, because breed standards must be observed and a lot of perfectly nice pets would not be allowed to be bred because of "invisible" flaws. Which I find great, less dogs to land in shelters, and a lot better quality in those who do. But some people will find this discriminating... and convincing them is not an easy thing to do.

I live in Switzerland and I have no idea how your laws come through, but here it's direct democracy, so the people must approve each and every law proposal. This is why I think such a law would never pass here, but hey, maybe you can make it, who knows.

Good luck to you

Adriana

"It seems to be common knowledge that there is an over population of dogs due to the following:
-accidental breeding due to irresponsable owners"

How is a license going to stop accidental breedings?

"Why can't we have dog breeding regulated so that not every dumb ass with a dog and a bitch can sell puppies in the paper."

If not the paper, then they'll sell them some other way - the internet, signs on their front yard, etc.

"To simply require a licence in order to breed, approved and issued by the specific breed's club,"

The biggest problem with this scenario is who polices the dog police? Seriously, in countries that have regulated dog breeding, there is a "good, old boy" network where friends get what they need and others don't.

"The breeders can screen the owners so not as many dead-beats can aquire a dog, not to mention dogs will be more expensive and people will value them more than a free puppy."

The good breeders are doing this already. I'm not sure how having a license can make someone screen a home? Dogs with astronomical price tags are dumped now every day. I've had dogs turned into rescue with their receipts for $1800, $2000 - their price didn't make their owners responsible.

"Has anyone heard of any organizations that are pushing for this?
It seems that the only people that would not like this situation would be someone breeding unethically. "

Open your newspapers! Organizations and government officials ARE trying to push through breeding legislation all over the place, and all it does is penalize those that were trying to do everything right in the first place.

Did you ever hear that saying "When guns are outlawed only outlaws will have guns" ? That's what I think of legislation on breeding. When breeding is outlawed only outlaws will breed. I don't think that the good guys should have to become outlaws. Why should I, for example, have to pay for a license when I'm already breeding responsibly? The byb and/or puppy mill can at least afford the license since they're not breeding ethically and cutting every corner that I cover. The license penalizes me.

I know your heart is in the right place but penalizing and trying to police the good guys isn't the answer. Trying to penalize the bad guys just drives them further underground and not quite so easy to see what they're doing. Criminals find a way around every system.

"How is a license going to stop accidental breedings?"
-by neutering dogs that are not show dogs or breeders' dogs.

"If not the paper, then they'll sell them some other way - the internet, signs on their front yard, etc"
-There will always be people that choose to and get away with breaking the law. The dogs cannot control their own population; we have to be responsible for that!

"The biggest problem with this scenario is who polices the dog police? Seriously, in countries that have regulated dog breeding, there is a "good, old boy" network where friends get what they need and others don't."
-Good point! Corruption is everywhere! I guess it comes down to weather or not it will help reduce the number of unwanted dogs.

"The good breeders are doing this already. I'm not sure how having a license can make someone screen a home? Dogs with astronomical price tags are dumped now every day. I've had dogs turned into rescue with their receipts for $1800, $2000 - their price didn't make their owners responsible."
-Requiring a driver's license reduces the number of bad drivers on the road. Still, some bad drivers slip through, but overall the road is a safer place than if anyone could drive. Again, I guess it comes down to weather or not it will help reduce the number of unwanted dogs.

"Did you ever hear that saying "When guns are outlawed only outlaws will have guns" ? That's what I think of legislation on breeding. When breeding is outlawed only outlaws will breed. I don't think that the good guys should have to become outlaws. Why should I, for example, have to pay for a license when I'm already breeding responsibly? The byb and/or puppy mill can at least afford the license since they're not breeding ethically and cutting every corner that I cover. The license penalizes me. "
-So sorry for you, but this is about the dogs!

"I know your heart is in the right place but penalizing and trying to police the good guys isn't the answer. Trying to penalize the bad guys just drives them further underground and not quite so easy to see what they're doing. Criminals find a way around every system."
-Unethical breeders will not be identified as criminals until there is a system in place!
Many BYB out there don't even see what they are doing as bad!

You don't want to listen to reality - you have your own idea of how everything should work, and don't want to listen to someone who is an ethical breeder tell you exactly why it won't work. If you want to learn then start listening to the people who truly know. All I see is you wanting everyone to agree with your very slanted views. You don't breed or exhibit Dobermans and have no idea what sacrifices truly GOOD breeders make to produce a wonderful example of the breed. It is expensive and one thing these people DON'T need is more legislation that will make it even more expensive for them to breed - they aren't millionairs to begin with and are just trying to produce good dogs with limited funds. The BYBers and puppy mills will keep producing poor quality dogs no matter what - why should we penalize the good guys??

what's slanted about wanting someone to do something about the out of control dog population. the attitute that nothing can be done is discouraging. Again, it sounds as if your concern is the breeder, and money, but not the dogs. I have no idea what the best appoach would be to this problem, and I'm sure everyone has a different idea. I am sure that the solution is to not to continiue to allow the problem to get worse. I'm not worried about breeders, they are adults and can take care of themselves. There will always be a demand for well bread dogs. Even more demand if there are less byb.

Your wrong about who and what I am concerned about. I've never bred a litter, but I know what it takes. Making it more difficult & expensive for the legitimate/responsible breeder is not the answer. The problem with bybers, is that they ignore the laws and fly under the radar - could care less about the laws that are already in existence - what makes you think that they will obey a new one?? In this case, more laws are not the answer - enforcing the ones that are already in existence would be a good start before making more.

When you have years of being in this breed under your belt and really know the realities, THEN I might be happy to give you some credit for your slanted views. Right now you are a complete novice with very little real knowledge about the dog world. I don't mean to be harsh, and I think that asking questions is a good thing. Where you really need to improve is your ability to LISTEN and LEARN. Ask away, but then be prepared to learn instead of reacting everytime someone with years/decades of experience is willing to take the time to try and give you the benefit of their knowledge.