Why do hard core dog breeders get upset with the small breeders?

Question

I have loved dog sense i was very young.I have always breed my females once or twice, not for the money. but to sell Good AKC dogs for a lower price. I had collie pups years back and now I have one Red toy poodle i breed because they are great dogs. Now i just bought two English mastiff puppies which i want to breed next yaer. English mastiff have been in our family forever, never bred but always had for a good pet. Well i am getting the feeling these big mastiff breeder try to discourage small one time breeders to ever breed. Why is this? They say don't breed unless they are checked for hip, eyes, heart, and bones that could go bad. also i would have to send blood sample to UofM? what is this about? I have 2 good beautiful spoiled English mastiff and one big active AKC male english mastiff to breed. all up to date shots vet check regulary. And only want $600 for male or female pups. Big breeders might say not cham bloodlines no good dog? Or is everything they say true about breeding?

Answer 1

You can be a small time breeder, but still do what's right by the breed. It's very important to have things like hips, elbows and eyes checked as well as any other possible defect common to a breed screened for to ensure that they don't have these issues before ever breeding. This is so important because if something like hip dyplasia is present, it can be passed on to a litter. The problem here now lies with the great amount of cost to fix this problem when it does become present. These breeders don't want to see bad inherited disorders passed on to future generations and they are angry about folks who don't bother doing these proper health checks. All it does is reproduce the genetic defect and can be detrimental to the breed over all.

They love the breed, what ever breed that may be, and they are angry about people who do what's considered unethical breeding. Other things are breeders who don't take full responsibility for their litters. A good breeder has a commitment for the lifetime of any puppy that comes from them. They will take a dog back produced by them, at any age, for any reason. They don't want to see their pups going to rescues or shelters. They truly care about their dogs and what happens to them. Most maintain contact with any families who do take a puppy from them. They want to know how the puppy is doing and serve as a support system for the family in case an issue ever does arise. They also screen potential homes to make sure their breed is going to be a good fit for that home. A Border Collie won't do well in a home full of couch potato owners.

They require limited registration in most cases to prevent future breeding by people who really don't know what they are doing, or won't spend the money, time and effort to better the breed, rather than just reproduce because they can.

These reputable and ethical breeders also take temperment of the sire and dam into consideration and NEVER breed a dog of questionable temperment.

The following is a link to the AKC website on a page that lays out many guidelines for ethical breeding. Sadly, there are tons of back yard breeders who don't bother following these guidelines and thus are causing many problems among so many breeds, especially popular ones.

http://www.akc.org/breeders/resp_breeding/Articles/breeder.cfm

Answer 2

It's all about quality and improvement. Trust me any dog you buy anywhere other than a reputable breeder is sub quality. Any breeder that knows the standard and has a pup with great potential isn't going to sell it to anyone as a pet. Muts happen and make wonderful pets, dogs that wont improve or meet the standard also make wonderful pets. Out of a hundred pups born only three or four are quality enough to show or breed. I'm even getting out of breeding. I never did it for the money but I am just not able to do it the way it should be done anymore. I have spent 10's of thousands over the years and haven't even come close to making half of that back. Breeds are mass produced and people think just because their dog has papers and they love it that's a reason to breed. It is not. Breeding for perfection ( as close as you can get) is the only reason to breed.

Answer 3

Why would it be wrong to go to a breeder? If you can't find the type of dog you want at the animal shelter then by all means try a reputable breeder. Pet store dogs are usually a little older and possibly more difficult to train than a puppy straight from the breeder due to their age. It is better to get a dog at 8 weeks vs. 16 weeks, for example. Pet shops also tend to be a little more expensive than breeders, too.

Answer 4

"Small breeders" (not a term I would use) don't do the breed any favors by selling "Good AKC dogs for a lower price". Their dogs:

1. Aren't tested for genetic diseases (i.e. the hip, eyes, heart, etc. that the "big mastiff breeder" told you about),

2. Are usually structurally unsound (no matter how "beautiful" they may seem to you -- remember that a big head with a dark mask and massive body don't make a Mastiff) because the "small breeder" doesn't know what structural soundness looks like, or how important it is to the health of the dog.

3. Are sold to whoever shows up on the door with the cash and says, "really, I'll give this dog a good home", which means that they...

4. End up in rescues or shelters, or bred indiscriminately, producing more puppies who end up in rescues or shelters, or are bred indiscriminately.

All the "big breeders" are trying to do is tell you that it takes hard work and knowledge to breed correctly, and you shouldn't be doing it unless you're committed to it. Having "2 good beautiful spoiled English mastiff" isn't good enough. Being spoiled doesn't make them breeding quality. Being up to date on their shots DOESN'T make them genetically healthy.

I have no idea what sort of blood testing is done for Mastiffs at "UofM" -- or even where that is, there are 8 states in the USA that start with "M" -- but I'll bet if you spent more time talking to ethical, knowledgable Mastiff breeders (i.e. the "big" guys), they could probably explain it to you.

If you want to do this RIGHT, you will spend *a lot* of time talking to them. If you don't want to be "bothered" with learning about structure (usually done with mentors at dog shows), doing genetic testing, selling on spay/neuter contract, screening homes, and taking EVERY dog you produce back at ANY time if its owner can't keep it -- well, then, expect the people who do it right to keep discouraging you.

ADDED: Shadow's Melon -- EXCELLENT POST! Extremely well said!!

Answer 5

They tell you these things because it is what responsible breeders do to ensure the quality of their animals. They breed so that the breed they chose is within the breed standard.
You said you breed so that you can sell AKC dogs at a lower price, but if you are not doing the necessary health screenings how much cheaper are your dogs. If your pups develop any of the problems that are within the breed you happen to be selling at the time then what. Do you know how expensive vet care is? Do you know how heart breaking it is to have to put a dog to sleep because of health problems?
Just because you have two AKC registered dogs does not mean they are breed quality and my guess since the dogs were not sold with spay/neuter contracts that they are pet quality and they nor the parents were ever tested to be sound for breeding.
Breeding the right way is expensive and time consuming so if you are not willing to do everything necessary to ensure healthy pups(not just shots,worming and vet checks) you should not breed your animals. Spay and Neuter, your dogs will be happier.

Answer 6

I am not a big breeder, but I am a show breeder. I have no problem with someone breeding pets as long as they do it right.

Doing it right means all appropriate health tests, so that you are breeding healthy dogs.

It means breeding with the standard, and your stocks conformation, in mind, so that they look as they are suppose to and do not break down physically. To do this you need to have a good knowledge of structure.

It means only breeding dogs with correct temperment.

It means knowing what you are doing when it comes to breeding and whelping.

You need to be supportive of the puppy buyers, be available to answer questions, and be willing to take a dog back.

If you are willing to do it right, go ahead and breed good, healthy pups, they don't need to be show dogs.

I am not a Mastiff person, but I would be willing to bet they should have their hips, elbows, heart and eyes checked. It seems like they might be a c-section breed, but I am not sure about that.

Answer 7

I have often wonderd why large breeders do turn up their noses at a hobby breeder.
However, the hobby breeder should have all breeding dogs checked for any genetic defect known to be in the breed..For instance.. I see many beloved Chihuahuas in our area.. Chihuahuas have a real problem with the back knees, and you will see so many young adults with that bow legged hind legs..that is a serious knee defect, and is passed down for generations..it doesn't become less frequent or go away from any bloodline.. So, the breeders who don't bother to have such a defect detected before breeding, are ruining a good sturdy breed of companion dog..and the old dogs are suffering needlessly..

Each breed has those defects common in their own breed, and any responsible, caring person will make certain that they don't pass down those defects that will affect the longevity or well-being of the pups they produce, as they become oldsters, and suffer from pain, or early demise..that could be avoided if only the parents had been checked...That is also the problem with breeding dogs young, and becoming impatient to produce puppies, when the major problems do not show up until the prospective breeder is 2 or 3 years old..By the time you know your dog has a heart defect, he has already sired a couple of litters, all destined to have the heart defect, etc..
It is any breeders responsibility to produce good examples of the chosen breed, and to produce the healthiest puppies possible..
It is also any breeder's responsibility to be accountable for any pup they have ever produced..to buy them back if they are not suited to any home, and make certain that they never end up burdening the already overwhelmed rescue shelters.
.I also think that any bidy who produces puppies of any breed should support all rescue efforts possible.. We are part of the problem unless we are part of the solution..

In the day care, take care of 5 dogs that have been bought from a local breeder of toy dogs.. they are all just adorable and very loved..However..EVERY one of them is on daily, and expensive medication..The day begins with passing out pills and giving insulin shots..Geeesh..what a heartbreak!

Answer 8

There is a difference between hard-core big-time breeders and responsible dog people. Responsible people study the AKC breed standards and breed only healthy dogs. They sell for a higher price because they want to make certain that the people buying the dog actually want the dog bad enough that they are willing to pay the high price. Big time breeders are usually puppy millers and they keep the pet-stores stocked. They like to criticize hobby breeders because they don't want the competition. But lets face it, if you want to buy a puppy and if you care about animal welfare, who should you buy from? Are you going to buy from pet stores and their suppliers who keep dogs in cages? Or are you going to buy from a small-time breeder who keeps their dogs as pets?

I don't think there are any easy answers to this problem, because if the government tries to regulate dog breeding too much it will drive the small time breeder out of existence. If that happens, who are you stuck buying puppies from?

I think the best answer is to encourage people to adopt if they just want pets. If you want a specific breed, do your research and buy from someone who specializes in that specific breed. Actually go to their home and see how their dogs are raised. Don't buy dogs from people who keep their dogs in barns and cages. Don't make the stupid impulse buy at the pet store. Buy home-raised, family loved dogs. They make the best pets.

Answer 9

Breeding dogs who have all of the tests and certifications STILL run the risk of passing on hereditary defects. The "hard core" breeders don't want you to pass these things on if your puppies carry them.

I did my homework when I bought my last German shepherd. Parents were OFA certified hips and elbows. He was a gorgeous puppy, spoiled rotten, given the best care possible, and had the temperament of an angel. Anyone who would look at him would ask if we considered breeding him. Guess what? He had hip dysplasia. Outwardly, you would never know he had a problem. We never intended to breed him, but if we did, my good, spoiled, wonderful dog would've produced puppies with bad hips.

Bottom line, it's not fair to the potential owners or to any future puppies to pass on defects to the next generation because someone does not want to have the tests done. The arthritis that sets in with the dysplasia is not something fun to see, even with pain meds and supplements. If you are serious about breeding, certification of hips, elbows, eyes, etc, is never a guarantee that the puppies will be free problems, but it becomes your responsiblity if you truly love the breed.

Answer 10

You're an idiot. Who cares if you sell them for cheap, you are still breeding to make money and I don't think ANYBODY should do that. Shelters are filled to the brim with unwanted pets, as someone else said. It is idiots like you who only contribute to this problem. Why are there so many stupid people out there who insist on doing this???? If you were a true dog lover, you would not do this, because you would KNOW about the massive pet overpopulation problem this country has. Get a brain, get a heart, and spay your dogs. This mindless breeding just for fun or to make a few bucks has GOT to stop. I don't care if I sound harsh, you are a f***ing MORON.