Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Some of these forums are more active than others, but I'm hoping to find some information.

I am a "hobby" breeder- not a "backyard breeder" and not an irresponsible breeder. I show in the AKC conformation ring primarly, but also participate in performance events. Before I breed, I contact and discuss the breeding with the breeders of the potential parents and have my dogs health tested (including CERF and OFA as desired by our breed club). I do lots of research a lots of chatting with an established international breeder/judge whom I respect. I just had my second litter in 9 years.

I gave you all this information, because I am hoping there are some other on the board who are like me that may have had some of the same experiences.

I have found recently that people outside the dog show community have gotten a VERY bad impression about breeders. I have spent the last couple of days trying to explain to people that there are some of us out there that actually breed because we love the breed and would like to improve the genetic strength of our chosen breed. Our dogs dont get pregnant by the local labradoodle because we irresponsibly let our bitch in season outside, and most of us don't make money on our transactions.

I tried to explain that this recent litter of mine was in the planning stage for years; that the bitch was a treasured family member that slept in my bed and that got the best quality pre-natal care, etc, etc etc. But it seems I could do little to change the awful reputation of the term "breeder".

Has anyone else experienced this?!?

And anyone have ideas on how we can combat this negative reaction? I know that there are unethical people out there that claim to be "breeders", but how can we educate people about the differences? Or is there any hope?

Not sure if there's any good way to change people's opinions. The term "breeder" just seems to have a bad reputation with it right now. I have an unaltered stud dog living in my home right now. His breeder controls all his "interactions" and I trust her screening. He's 6 years old and has been used 4 times in his life. Not heavily by any stretch of the imagination. Yet, I have had to defend keping him unaltered to more than one individual. He's a multi-organization show champion, performance dog, and overall IS an asset to the breed with lots to contribute. Still, he's living in my home as basically a pet. No, he's never gotten away from me and had an unplanned litter, but the alarmists are always worried he will.

So, I think as long as you keep doing the best you can for the breed knowing that few will understand.
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Chelle and the rest of the crew including, but not limited to Kita and Taiko (the shiba inu wrestle maniacs), Adi (reserved and dignified tabby cat), and all 28 reptiles www.freewebs.com/performanceshibas

>>Not sure if there's any good way to change people's opinions. The term "breeder" just seems to have a bad reputation with it right now. I have an unaltered stud dog living in my home right now. His breeder controls all his "interactions" and I trust her screening. He's 6 years old and has been used 4 times in his life. Not heavily by any stretch of the imagination. Yet, I have had to defend keping him unaltered to more than one individual. He's a multi-organization show champion, performance dog, and overall IS an asset to the breed with lots to contribute. Still, he's living in my home as basically a pet. No, he's never gotten away from me and had an unplanned litter, but the alarmists are always worried he will.
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>>So, I think as long as you keep doing the best you can for the breed knowing that few will understand.
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>>Chelle and the rest of the crew including, but not limited to Kita and Taiko (the shiba inu wrestle maniacs), Adi (reserved and dignified tabby cat), and all 28 reptiles www.freewebs.com/performanceshibas
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This sounds pretty close to ideal, the dog living a good life and also in a situation where his behavior is observed more than it would be in kennel life. He's happy and his genes can contribute. He'll probably be neutered in the next few years, as that prostate grows. It really is great for a breed if more dogs are used for breeding--carefully chosen and matched, of course--than just a few over and over. Enjoy him!
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series articles at http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=SRC&S=1&SourceID=47

I am not a breeder, but have high respect for responsible breeders. I advise people to get a puppy ONLY from a responsible breeder. If adopting from a shelter or other genetically questionable source, it is far better to adopt a dog who is closer to adulthood. SO MUCH MORE can be evaluated then.

Responsible breeders are so very, very important to the future of dogs. A lot of people want to start with a puppy. They need to get that puppy from a responsible breeder. It is so very important.

The shelter puppies will get adopted. There are so many people who want puppies from shelters. If you really want to save a shelter dog, not only do you get a much more predictable dog by adopting an adult, but you are much more likely to save a life than by adopting a shelter puppy.

We need well-bred dogs. I have an assistance dog, still learning some things at 15 1/2 months of age, and it really is better for those dogs to come from strongly planned genetics.

Excellent breeders donate some puppies to assistance dog training programs. More and more programs are going for those dogs now rather than rescue dogs, and getting more dogs who succeed in become assistance dogs.

Considering all the labor that goes into raising and training a dog properly to assist a disabled person, getting the wrong dog is a huge problem. Blessings to the breeders who help. And also to the programs who now often breed their own puppies, very, very carefully.

I learned to train a dog through formal dog obedience and tracking activities. Those are great programs. Conformation showing is pretty great, too. It checks a dog not for everything, but for a lot--including the ability to behave in the ring.

I am one person who definitely supports responsible dog breeding. You have my vote!
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series articles at http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=SRC&S=1&SourceID=47

I am not a breeder, but I always buy my puppies & kittens from responsible breeders like you. Personally, I do like to start out with puppies and raise them the way I want them. I understand what you're going through and it's a shame so many irresponsible people have given breeders a bad name. You are definitely needed. I personally like the predictable looks and traits of purebred dogs. Keep up the good work and please don't be bothered by what some think.
staffordmom

This ia a great post! I've dealt with the public in my job for 35 years and one thing that always rings true is you can never alter public opinion. In this case you'll just have to continue to fight the fight and try to educate those who are not in the know. Outside of us dog people there are people few and far between that would be to explain the difference between a backyard breeder and a hobby breeder. Anyone putting their dogs out in center stage be it conformation, agility or obedience to be scrutinized by other reputable breeders are doing so because they love the breed they are working with and strive to better the standard of that breed. Because of this there are people and organizations out there that decry any kind of breeding and cannot make a distinction between good solid breeding programs... mills or byb's. As you noted there are people out there who call themselves breeders or even reputable breeders but they are not. Some of them may even have the best interest of their dogs at heart but still only breed to sell pups for the sole purpose of the almighty dollar. In the wonderful world of dogs this will be an ongoing debate... just keep doing your part and educate, educate and educate.
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Bob

If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went.

Thank you for the replies! I was just taken aback by the general public reaction I think.

>>Thank you for the replies! I was just taken aback by the general public reaction I think.

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People vastly underestimate the commitment in work and the necessary knowledge to breed responsibly. Breeders understandably get very, very tired of people thinking ill of them, when they're working so hard to do things right! Maybe it will help you a bit to think about just how hard all this is to learn, and the "sound bytes" people hear that they believe about breeding. We just all have to keep the faith and educate whenever we can.
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series articles at http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=SRC&S=1&SourceID=47