Q-WHAT'S THE BIG CONCERN ABOUT BREEDING MY DOGS?
A- Breeding dogs has become quite a science in the last few years. With the growing popularity of Dog Shows, and the increased exposure from T.V., many people get into breeding thinking that they can produce a dog that it is a very profitable venture. As breed popularity surges and wants, fly-by-night breeders try to meet demand by mass-producing puppies. Also, there is a constant market for pets. Thus, puppy-mill operators are thriving. Unfortunately, indiscriminate breeding is inviting a host of problems, as every breed has it's share of inheritable disease. In order to prevent the puppies you produce from inheriting these diseases, you need to spend a lot of time researching pedigrees, testing your breeding stock, and working with fellow breeders to produce dogs that are healthy and good representatives of their breed. There is a huge amount of responsibility undertaken when breeding your dog. It should not be taken lightly.
Q-I PAYED GOOD MONEY FOR MY DOG, WHY SHOULDN'T I MAKE SOME OF IT BACK?
A-Unfortunately, breeding healthy dogs is not profitable, and usually expends quite a chunk of change from your pocketbook. The only way puppy-mill owners make profits is by compromising the quality of care that the breeding stock receives. We've all seen the horrible pictures of cages stacked upon cages full of dirty, half-starved dogs and puppies. Females are bred every season until they cannot produce anymore pups. They are then sold at auction or killed. Many puppies are shipped out when they are just 6 weeks old, and a (not) surprising large number never make it to their destination alive. That $1500 puppy in the pet store was bought from the puppy mill for $350. With such a small profit, I can guarantee you the animals do not get the best care available.
In order to breed responsibly, your dog must receive routine veterinary care, be free of disease, have a good temperament, and not have any severe fault or disqualification listed in the breed standard.
Q-WELL, OUR DOG IS A FAMILY PET. WE AREN'T A PUPPY MILL!
A-The majority of purebred dogs come from what's commonly called the "hobby" breeders, namely those who own a female and want to have a litter so that the kids can see "the miracle of birth", or maybe to make some spending money, or because they want a puppy "just like Buffy". Although these dogs receive much better health care, most being family pets, the owners do not think to check for inherited disease or temperament problems. Also, once the puppies have been sold, the breeders no longer feel responsible for the future health of the pup. Very few of these 'breeders' would stand behind a puppy they sold if it came up lame with hip dysplasia 2 years later. And because of their lack of 'lifelong' commitment, many of those cute puppies end up in homes that are not appropriate, and thus, the dog is condemned to a life of living in a backyard or worse, ends up at the local pound. The conscientious breeder screens potential puppy owners to make sure the dog will have a good home, and they are there for the buyers for the life of the dog. As for the "miracle of birth", there are many things that can go wrong at whelping, not to mention it is a very messy and bloody affair. Are you prepared to explain to your children why that puppy died? Why it was deformed? Or why the dam died? Are you prepared to expend a great amount of money should a c-section be required? Are you prepared to take enough time off of work to watch over the pups the first critical weeks? Are you prepared to hand-feed orphaned puppies every three hours if the dam dies, does not have enough milk, or develops mastitis and cannot nurse her puppies? The less prepared you are for trouble; the more likely you are to have it. There is no fun in consoling your children when they witness the ugly side of breeding.
Q-SO WHAT MAKES "RESPONSIBLE" BREEDERS SO DIFFERENT?
A-The responsible breeder is a devotee of the breed. They know the breed inside and out, they are usually active in some way in dog events. Their main concern first and foremost is the health of the parents and puppies. They take the steps necessary to ensure that the parents are disease free and that the pups have the best chance for a long and healthy life. They do their best to produce dogs which closely follow the written standard for the breed. They stand behind their puppies and are always there for the purchasers for the life of the pup. They put their heart and soul into their dogs. Some of these people are well-known breeders, some aren't. They produce several litters a year or they may go several years between litters. Either way, they are cautious about what type of home the puppies go to and are willing to take one back if need be. When choosing a stud for their female, they find the one who is most compatible physically, mentally, and pedigree-wise. If they offer a male for stud, they not only make sure he is healthy, but that he is a good example of the breed and can pass on the desired characteristics. They also are cautious about the females he is bred to. They too must be good, healthy representatives of the breed. A good sire owner is as concerned about the future welfare of the coming pups as the dam owner.
Q-WHAT ABOUT WHITE BOXERS?
A-Contrary to what you may have been led to believe, "white" boxers ARE NOT RARE! They appear in many litters, and should not be bred. Ethical breeders follow a code of conduct which prohibits them from breeding white puppies. While some breeders do 'cull' their white pups at birth, this is (thankfully) a shrinking practice as more breeders are placing these pups in loving homes. In fact, many breeders are choosier about homes for the white pups than the colored. Too many consumers are suckered out of large amounts of money for a "rare" white boxer, which may suffer from deafness in one or both ears. This is not saying that white boxers are less desirable. They are every much as wonderful as colored boxers, but due to their color inheritance, are more prone to deafness than their colored siblings. And because white is a disqualifying color in the breed, they should not be bred. But they are capable and welcome to participate in obedience, agility, and tracking. A good breeder will do their best to make sure they do not intentionally produce white boxers. Knowing and understanding breeding to keep from producing white boxers, is the key to a good responsible breeder.
Just for thought: NO breeder can guarantee that a puppy will be free from any disease or injury or mishap. Things happen that no one can control.
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