Thinking about getting a dog from a breeder? Many breeders don't care about the welfare of the animals, so we want to help you find an ethical, responsible breeder. There are many ways to find out if a breeder is acting ethically. This can be seen, for example, in his expertise and knowledge of the dog breed. Above all, you can recognize an ethical dog breeder by the fact that the health of their animals is very important to them. If you want to learn more about ethical breeding, check out this blog post!
What is "ethical breeding"?
Breeding is the mating of selected dogs with the intention of reproducing certain qualities and characteristics. Breeding involves humans interfering with dogs' natural reproductive tendencies to ensure certain genetic traits are passed on. When a breeder is acting ethically, their number one priority is to ensure that an animal exhibits the characteristics appropriate to its breed. Unethical breeders, on the other hand, are more concerned with breeding as many animals as possible than with the actual health of the animals. When breeding animals, the most important thing is that the genes remain within a specific breed to ensure good health of the animal.
What does an ethical breeder do?
Ethical dog breeders make it a point to educate themselves about their breed's history, health, genetics, and the structure of the animal. In addition, an ethical breeder demonstrates that they have the knowledge and years of experience of the animal breed they represent. For example, an ethical breeder will look at the conformation, temperament and history of the breed to ensure their animals exhibit desired behavioral and physical traits. Ethical dog breeders also ensure that the housing of the breeding animals is clean, comfortable and safe.
How do I know my breeder is ethical?
Now that you know what an ethical breeder does to ensure the health and welfare of their animals are up to standards, here are a few more signs you can use to recognize a responsible breeder.
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The breeder belongs to the umbrella organization of his breed - the organization recognized by the German Kennel Club (VDH).
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Experience is important: The longer a breeder has been breeding and the more experience they have, the easier it is to research them. But don't rule out a breeder just because they're new. We all start somewhere and new breeders usually have an experienced mentor to guide them.
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Responsible breeders have one goal in mind: to breed healthy animals that meet the standard of the breed description. When a breeder is actively marketing animals that deviate from the breed standard, their primary concern is the animal's physical appearance, not its health . This is also true, for example, when breeders boast of having “teacup” dogs.
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When you visit the breeder and the animal you have chosen, pay attention to the surroundings and the animal itself to see if both are in good condition. Are the sleeping places and the enclosure clean? Are the animals of good weight and lively?
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Responsible breeders require you to sign a contract when you buy a pet. The contract should contain a basic description of the animal, including the names of both parents and the animal's registration number.
We hope these tips will help you find an ethical breeder. If you want to learn more about health and living with a dog or cat, subscribe to our newsletter to be kept up to date when our latest blog comes out!
