DanBar Ranch
Basic Puppy Buying Survival Guide - Page 3
Some Common Questions & Answers About Breeders
Q: Is belonging to dog clubs a sign that a breeder is reputable?
A: There are national clubs and there are local clubs. Clubs are important because they put on dog sport events. Clubs (in my opinion) should play a MUCH larger role in public education, stopping anti-dog legislation and in protecting breeds by supporting traditional standards, working uses and health testing.
Unfortunately, most clubs end up being of little use to the average dog owner. I belong to a fantastic schutzhund training club, and have belonged to literally dozens of clubs in the past. Lately though, I am discouraged by the emphasis many clubs are taking. So I have discontinued my support of those which I feel do actual harm to dogs or dog breeds.
One example is the United Doberman Club, a club which I feel could have a real positive impact on the breed, but which, unfortunately, is being run for the benefit of a very small clique. I left the club when I discovered that their "code of ethics" required an owner not to breed a bitch before 24 months of age yet did NOT require ANY health testing, and indeed had no issues with members breeding two disease carrying dogs together!
So, no, belonging to dog clubs does NOT imply that a breeder is more ethical than one who does not.
Q) Are large kennels always "puppy mills"?
A) No. A "puppy mill" can be ONE DOG or many. "Puppy mill" is a way of doing business - not a number. It means producing puppies for resale while putting the least amount of thought, effort and ethics into the processes. Puppy mills DO NOT health test all their dogs. Puppy mills don't feed quality foods. They rarely have waiting lists, and simply advertise their pups on "impulse buying websites" like "Next Day Puppy" and "Craig's List".
In fact, some large kennels are some of the most ethical and well run. These are breeders who are able to produce excellent dogs due to long term planning and being able to keep a larger number of dogs.
To me, the ONLY limit on the size of a kennel, shelter, "sanctuary" or any other place where dogs are kept is whether or not EACH dog gets sufficient quality time with its owner and hard exercise EACH day.
Q) Shouldn't breeders not breed while there are dogs being put to sleep in animal shelters?
A) ALL puppies come from "breeders". Someone, somewhere is responsible for every litter which is born. It is up to each person to decide if they want to purchase a puppy bred by an irresponsible person with unhealth checked, possibly vicious or unsound dogs, or if they want to support those who try and breed for healthy, sound, good dogs. Every shelter dog purchased takes a home away from a well bred, healthy, sound puppy, making it harder for a good breeder to help their particular breed.
The very BEST way to help the unfortunate dogs and pups that end up in shelters and "rescues" is to support community low cost spay/neuter programs, support mandatory microchipping of pets BY THE BREEDER at 6 weeks of age and support any laws which make producing unwanted litters expensive and unsatisfactory. The "no kill" movement, which promises every bad breeder they will find a "loving home" for all their unwanted pups are perhaps one of the biggest promoters of irresponsible breeding today.
Q) Why can some breeders ship and other breeders not?
A) In an attempt to curb the abuses of puppy mills, laws have been passed which require high volume breeders who are USDA licensed (generally puppy mills) to meet buyers face to face. I would stay away from any kennels which cannot ship. They will often hide the fact they are a commercial kennel by saying they "just don't want to ship".
Here is "Baby Huni" shortly after she arrived at DanBar Ranch. Look at the size of her feet!
Funny "Toby", much loved companion of Connie in WA state shows his perfect teeth off in a smile!
Wee Mikey as a wee baby!
