Considering buying your new furry friend from a breeder? But before you start looking for a breeder, it's best to reconsider your options. While it's common to buy purebred puppies from a breeder, buying from an unethical breeder has many downsides for both you and your pet. In this article, we'll talk about the unethical practices some breeders use on pets, how to spot them, and how to avoid buying from them.
What is "unethical" breeding?
Unethical breeding is the practice of putting profit before the humane treatment of dogs, such as treating bitches like puppy-producing machines rather than living beings. There are facilities that are classified as "puppy mills". These so-called puppy mills are unsanitary and the animals lack proper veterinary care. Unfortunately, these facilities still have breeding licenses and continue to harm the lives of innocent dogs with little to no accountability.
One of the reasons many people choose to buy their dog from a breeder rather than adopt them is because they want a well-bred, purebred dog. People are often interested in specific breed traits, many of which relate to the animal's appearance. Unfortunately, this leads to very selective breeding, with breeders attempting to breed dogs with those very specific traits. However, there are some examples where selective breeding has unintentionally led to a deterioration in the breed's characteristics. Some of the popular breed traits are actually not good for the animal's welfare. For example, ears that are too long can lead to frequent infections, while long backs and necks can contribute to disc problems. Selective breeding can therefore harm animals in the long term.
As a reader, what can I do against selective breeding?
Not only the practice of selective breeding itself is unsafe. There are also breeders who care little or not at all about the welfare of the animals. They do not provide adequate medical care or clean housing for the animals. Many dogs are kept in crates and cages where they live alone and receive no affection. In addition, dogs with health problems are sometimes bred and their genes are passed through reproduction, affecting their offspring as well. One way to avoid breeders harming their animals' health is to research more about the breeders in your area and make sure they meet animal welfare standards.
We know there is a demand for purpose bred dogs and we know there are breeders who share the vision of a humane society for all animals. Still, there are breeders who benefit from their cruelty to animals. So if you're looking to get a dog, we recommend considering adopting one from a shelter, as there are thousands of precious dogs out there looking for homes. However, if you are considering getting a dog from a breeder, you can tell ethical breeders from unethical breeders by researching their local facilities and checking that they meet the requirements for caring for the animals,
Are you curious? Check out our article on ethical breeders to learn how to identify an ethical breeder. If you want to learn more about pet life and health in general, follow our social media and subscribe to our newsletter.
