How to politely discourage breeding - Dog Forums

poketmouse · 11-10-2006, 07:28 PM

Ok, so I feel pretty strongly about "designer dogs" and irresponsible breeding. Sure, I think the "doodles" and "poos" are super cute puppies, but no more special in my book than my own rescue mutt. I went to visit my aunt last weekend and met her new puppy (who, by the way is adorable). She's a malteese/poodle cross that she got from a "breeder."

While we were talking, she asked me when her girl would go through her first cycle. We talked about the pros/cons of spaying a girl after she goes through a cycle. Then she tells me that her "breeder" said that it is emotionally better for her girl to have a litter before getting fixed. He said that if she wants her to have a litter, he would find a suitable stud and take the puppies for her after they were weaned! I wanted to scream "PUPPYMILL!" but, I held my tongue.

I want to show her some information to debunk the "have a litter first" theory, and politely show her what a travesty it would be to breed her cute little mutt. I looked for articles, but there is so much info out there! Does anyone know of articles/studies I could use to convince her? Thanks!

turnerlvv · 11-10-2006, 07:43 PM

I need that kinda help too!! My neighbor down the street thinks dogs are happier after they have a litter too!! Ugh she does have a purebred Dachshund but that doesnt make it better. I was wondering where she got that bit of information but I guess she got it from the breeder.

Woof · 11-10-2006, 08:35 PM

Pocket Mouse:

You wrote that you wanted to scream "puppy mill"; can you explain that? I am no fan of the concept but I don't understand the connection your makeing. Is there something inherrently wrong with a breeder handling a single litter for your aunt. It seems better to me than caging up a single bitch and haveing her bred time and time again as I understand happens in a puppy mill.

DiggityDogs · 11-10-2006, 08:48 PM

I agree it sounds like a puppy mill situation. The breeder thinks she can outsource her bitches by telling new pet owners that their female is healthier if she has one litter, then the ''breeder'' gets free puppies and makes all the money out of the deal. Can you imagine, if a breeder sells a few female puppies a year, lets say 3 or 4, and each of those pups is bred when it's old enough, that's quite a clever way to mill puppies without having to do the dirty work or looking suspicious to potential buyers. Besides that, if they're breeding mutts they are at a minimum BYBs, but this lady sounds like she handles quite a few more litters than your average byb.

Pocketmouse, maybe you should accompany your aunt on a trip to the vet when the puppy is due for shots. I'm pretty sure that most vets will recommend spaying at around 6 months and will be able to give all of the facts, straight forward. If you are there you'll be able to ask the appropriate questions to open up the conversation without looking like you are attacking your aunt or her breeding ideas.

poketmouse · 11-10-2006, 08:50 PM

Sure, there is no problem with a breeder handling one litter for my Aunt, if it was her idea in the first place. But it wasn't her idea, it was his. Say the litter her pup came from had three other females in it. If he suggests to all the owners that it's best for the dog if they have a litter of their own, that's three litters he's getting for free. The owner pays all the vet bills and hands over the puppies so the breeder can "find good homes for them." There was no talk about him paying her for the puppies, so he'd be getting three litters for free that he could turn around and sell for $500 each.

Perhaps "puppymill" is not the correct terminology, but it is what popped into my head. Maybe "scam" would have been better.

SmoothCollieluver · 11-10-2006, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poketmouse

Sure, there is no problem with a breeder handling one litter for my Aunt, if it was her idea in the first place. But it wasn't her idea, it was his. Say the litter her pup came from had three other females in it. If he suggests to all the owners that it's best for the dog if they have a litter of their own, that's three litters he's getting for free. The owner pays all the vet bills and hands over the puppies so the breeder can "find good homes for them." There was no talk about him paying her for the puppies, so he'd be getting three litters for free that he could turn around and sell for $500 each.

Perhaps "puppymill" is not the correct terminology, but it is what popped into my head. Maybe "scam" would have been better.

I have seen alot of breeders do this as part of their contract. The people usually either get the bitch for free or a reduced rate. I personally would never do that. But our friends have an airdale that is under an arragement like that.

seraphicia · 11-10-2006, 10:10 PM

But this is no registered, reputable breeder, and all of the advice he's giving certainly points to a scammer and back yard breeder all the way, obviously unknowledgeable and out for a buck. I agree with Diggity, talk with the vet, who if its good vet I certainly hope so, will steer her away from that crap. There are online sources like 10 reasons not to breed, and a lot of info on byb and reputable breeders. If you do a google search, I'm sure you can eassily weed through and find them. Thats great that you guys are trying to prevent more irresponsible breeding in a non confrontational way.

11-10-2006, 07:28 PM	#1
poketmouse Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Fresno, Ca Posts: 48	How to politely discourage breeding Ok, so I feel pretty strongly about "designer dogs" and irresponsible breeding. Sure, I think the "doodles" and "poos" are super cute puppies, but no more special in my book than my own rescue mutt. I went to visit my aunt last weekend and met her new puppy (who, by the way is adorable). She's a malteese/poodle cross that she got from a "breeder." While we were talking, she asked me when her girl would go through her first cycle. We talked about the pros/cons of spaying a girl after she goes through a cycle. Then she tells me that her "breeder" said that it is emotionally better for her girl to have a litter before getting fixed. He said that if she wants her to have a litter, he would find a suitable stud and take the puppies for her after they were weaned! I wanted to scream "PUPPYMILL!" but, I held my tongue. I want to show her some information to debunk the "have a litter first" theory, and politely show her what a travesty it would be to breed her cute little mutt. I looked for articles, but there is so much info out there! Does anyone know of articles/studies I could use to convince her? Thanks! __________________ Andrea

11-10-2006, 07:43 PM	#2
turnerlvv Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Nevada Posts: 342	I need that kinda help too!! My neighbor down the street thinks dogs are happier after they have a litter too!! Ugh she does have a purebred Dachshund but that doesnt make it better. I was wondering where she got that bit of information but I guess she got it from the breeder. __________________ The Turner Pack

11-10-2006, 08:48 PM	#4
DiggityDogs Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: ....... Posts: 682	I agree it sounds like a puppy mill situation. The breeder thinks she can outsource her bitches by telling new pet owners that their female is healthier if she has one litter, then the ''breeder'' gets free puppies and makes all the money out of the deal. Can you imagine, if a breeder sells a few female puppies a year, lets say 3 or 4, and each of those pups is bred when it's old enough, that's quite a clever way to mill puppies without having to do the dirty work or looking suspicious to potential buyers. Besides that, if they're breeding mutts they are at a minimum BYBs, but this lady sounds like she handles quite a few more litters than your average byb. Pocketmouse, maybe you should accompany your aunt on a trip to the vet when the puppy is due for shots. I'm pretty sure that most vets will recommend spaying at around 6 months and will be able to give all of the facts, straight forward. If you are there you'll be able to ask the appropriate questions to open up the conversation without looking like you are attacking your aunt or her breeding ideas. Last edited by DiggityDogs; 11-10-2006 at 08:51 PM.

11-10-2006, 08:50 PM	#5
poketmouse Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Fresno, Ca Posts: 48	Sure, there is no problem with a breeder handling one litter for my Aunt, if it was her idea in the first place. But it wasn't her idea, it was his. Say the litter her pup came from had three other females in it. If he suggests to all the owners that it's best for the dog if they have a litter of their own, that's three litters he's getting for free. The owner pays all the vet bills and hands over the puppies so the breeder can "find good homes for them." There was no talk about him paying her for the puppies, so he'd be getting three litters for free that he could turn around and sell for $500 each. Perhaps "puppymill" is not the correct terminology, but it is what popped into my head. Maybe "scam" would have been better. __________________ Andrea

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11-10-2006, 08:35 PM	#3
Woof Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: California Posts: 54	Pocket Mouse: You wrote that you wanted to scream "puppy mill"; can you explain that? I am no fan of the concept but I don't understand the connection your makeing. Is there something inherrently wrong with a breeder handling a single litter for your aunt. It seems better to me than caging up a single bitch and haveing her bred time and time again as I understand happens in a puppy mill.

11-10-2006, 10:10 PM	#7
seraphicia Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: central ohio Posts: 105	But this is no registered, reputable breeder, and all of the advice he's giving certainly points to a scammer and back yard breeder all the way, obviously unknowledgeable and out for a buck. I agree with Diggity, talk with the vet, who if its good vet I certainly hope so, will steer her away from that crap. There are online sources like 10 reasons not to breed, and a lot of info on byb and reputable breeders. If you do a google search, I'm sure you can eassily weed through and find them. Thats great that you guys are trying to prevent more irresponsible breeding in a non confrontational way.