Should kennel and breed clubs tighten the qualifications for registration?

Yes

1 of 1

by Rena Sherwood

• 

Write now Print Invite a writer™ Add to Favorites RSS Feed Contact this writer

Currently, there are no requirements for registration in breed clubs or national kennel clubs like the American Kennel Club or the United Kennel Club. All anyone has to do to get a dog registered is fill out a form and send in a registration fee, where the dog's pedigree is filled in five or six generations back. There are absolutely no checks to see if the dog's pedigree is correct or if the dogs are taken care of in a humane condition. It is all done on the honor system.

Are There Ethical Breeders?

Although there is a good argument that breeding purebred dogs is unethical because the dogs become sickly due to a narrowed gene pool, there are ethical breeders. They are ethical in the sense that they fill out their registration papers honestly, neuter animals that carry genetic diseases and take care of their dogs in a humane and caring manner.

But there is no way currently in place for a breed association or kennel club to ascertain from a registration application that a breeder is ethical or not. They do not even do background checks for animal abuse or consumer complaints. That's because checking up on these things costs money which they would rather put into dog shows, trophies and advertising.

The Problem Of Puppy Mills

Puppy mills have all their animals registered with the appropriate breed and kennel clubs in order to drive up the price of the puppies. Puppy mill owners will never find the money to take care of their animals, have them see a vet or even clean the wire cages their dogs are forced to live in all of their short, abused lives, but they will certainly somehow find the money to pay all registration fees.

Puppy mills are a disgrace to all dog lovers. These puppies are sold online, to pet stores and often in classified ads. Because of the crowded, filthy conditions of puppy mills, the puppies often die of illness soon after they are purchased. Those that survive puppyhood often have behavioural problems and genetic problems due to inbreeding.

If dog breed organizations and kennel clubs were serious about the welfare of dogs and not dog breeders that pay them a lot of money for pretty pieces of paper then they would send inspectors to all of the breeder's kennels, do police background checks for all applicants and drop all applicants who sell to online puppy brokers or pet shops.

If dog organizations were really concerned about stopping puppy mills and having breeders breed healthy dogs, then they should also demand their breeders to breed healthy dogs, even if that means changing the breed standard. By doing this, they can not only ensure the public's trust but make a better life for dogs.

Learn more about this author, Rena Sherwood.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.