Breeders or dog owners: Who is more responsible for the excess of abandoned or sheltered dogs?

Dog Owners

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by Crystal Collins

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There are millions of unwanted dogs in just the United States. An estimated half of dogs entering shelters are euthanized because there simply aren't enough homes for them. Are dog owners or dog breeders more responsible for homeless canines? There should be no pointing fingers; the answer to this question lives in the grey area between the two.

To begin with, it should be stated that there are many types of breeder. Responsible breeders enforce guidelines in their breeding program such as health and temperament testing, following breed standards or working dog pedigrees, and producing only puppies that they will be able to place. Having a waiting list of reliably screened homes prior to breeding will better ensure that no dog from the breeder's program will become abandoned or homeless. Carefully selecting traits that can be traced back in a dog's pedigree will increase the chance of producing quality members of their breed. Culling poor breeding stock by spaying and neutering the dogs who produced poor quality litters is a responsible and humane way to keep a breed's gene pool healthy.

Another sector of dog breeders is often described as "backyard breeding." This would encapsulate the casual breeder, usually dog owners who wish to produce puppies for family, profit, or various other reasons (e.g. "I wanted my kids to see the miracle of life!" or "Fluffy is such a nice dog, we wanted a puppy so we would have another dog like her.") These breeders are usually well intentioned but naive to the tedious and expensive process ofresponsible breeding. Health tests are rarely done and choosing a mate for their dog is generally more about convenience than compatibility and the health or temperament of the mate's family tree. These breeders usually love their dogs very much and have no idea or recognition of the problem they are contributing to. Often using forums such as bulletin boards or newspapers to advertise and sell their offspring, these breeders are often more lax about placement than those who are spending their time with more responsible methods. Breeding dogs who are not proven to be sound in mind or health, genetically speaking, produces dogs that have more issues down the road that may cause them to be abandoned or surrendered to a shelter.

Undeniably the worst offender in the dog breeding industry are puppy mills- mass producers of puppies for profit. Often using quesionable methods (at best) of containment and husbandry, these businesses are the main supplier for pet stores in our country. Focusing on whatever is the "it" breed of current times- schnoodles or "hypoallergenic dogs" or teacup dogs, etc- they see their stock dogs as little more than puppy machines. The dogs are not tested for health or temperament, and the puppies may be shipped all over the country to various places where they will be sold for a typically high price wherever the demand is greatest. This is ultimately the biggest contributor to overpopulation by the breeding world.

Bearing all this in mind, it may be difficult to believe that dog owners could possibly have a bigger impact on the overpopulation problem. Unfortunately, this is the case. Keep in mind that the majority of backyard breeders are just dog owners who decided to produce one or more litters. Without a demand, and a strong consumer base at pet stores, puppy mills could not exist. In 2007, there was an estimated over $40 billion spent in the U.S. pet industry (Source: American Pet Products Manufacturers Association.) There is no denying that present-day Americans take pet ownership to a higher level. Unfortunately, there are millions of people every year who fall victim to impulsive buying when they walk into a pet store filled with rows of cute purebred puppies. Creating such a high demand only gives puppy millers and other irresponsible breeders more reason to produce more litters.

While there are legitimate reasons for surrendering animals to shelters or rescues, the most common reasons for relinquishment are often easily corrected given time and effort by the dog owner. There are no "quick fixes" when it comes to animals of any kind. House training issues, manners, aggression: these problems can nearly always be addressed by a professional if research and commonplace methodology fail. Adopting a dog for its good looks or goofy smile without lending consideration to its needs will most likely prove to be a mistake after the honeymoon period is over. Understanding that the acquisition of a dog is a commitment, and preparing for many years of trials and tribulations will make for a better environment for both dog and guardian.

Dog owners who fail to spay or neuter their dogs contribute to an overwhelming number of litters born. Accidental or casual (as in simply failing to separate males and females) matings conceive the majority of mixed breed dogs. Inconvenienced by or unable to care for the financial and every day cost of these unwanted litters, many people turn to shelters for placing the puppies. Others, inexperienced in the methods supported by rescues and responsible breeders, place the puppies as "free to good home" or for a low cost, without screening the new homes. Again, this leads to a higher abandonment and relinquishment rate as without proper counseling and matchmaking, frequently the puppies end up in incompatible households.

Summarily , both dog owners and breeders must be held accountable for pet overpopulation but it is ultimately the consumer- dog owners- who must be responsible. Researching both the compatibility of a prospective new dog and the location from which it may be acquired is the first defense against relinquishment. Rescue or adopt whenever possible, or adopt from a reputable breeder who uses humane and upstanding practices in his or her program. Perhaps most importantly, spay and neuter your pets to prevent unwanted litters that even if placed in homes will increase the statistics of homeless animals. In a world where dogs are loved now more than ever before, it is up to us to protect them from needless suffering and death.

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