Those that claim to be responsible breeders, what do you do for your breed?

Question

This is sort of in response to mcnatt's claims that we don't visit shelters or whatever. It's also because I recieved a call on the weekend from a lady with a BYB basset who's developed hypothyroid and she wanted advice from a "basset expert". My boss was amazed that I'd go to that effort for a dog I didn't breed.

I know, you're breeding outstanding specimens, physically and mentally superior, but what else?

For example, not only have I adopted shelter dogs myself (both basset and mixed-breed), I've pulled basset hounds from shelters for rescue, taken in bassets in need of shelter, fostered them until new homes could be found. I've also spent many hours counselling basset owners who purchased their dogs from pet stores or BYBs, 'cause those dogs don't have breeders that stand behind them. I've donated money and time to basset rescue (which takes in basset mixes as well, when they have the space). I've never turned away a basset in need.

Those of us who are serious about breeding help to clean up the messes left by the BYBs.

What have you done?

Answer 1

I have rescued 18 of my breed, plus many of other, and mixed breeds. I support our local ( no-kill) humane society, as it is funded only by donations. I also take them a big bag of dog and cat treats weekly, and write, and distribute chldren's books about pet responsibility.

There are ways that all of us can help. Our local shelter has a great program. They have an adopt-a-pet program, that allows the public (mostly seniors take advantage of this) to adopt a pet, and visit and walk it, etc, from noon to 4 pm any day..This is well recived in our communiity, and successful in getting each pet the much needed loving and personal attention..

Answer 2

If I had a NICKEL for every hour I spent on the phone with people who had already gotten a Newf and had questions because the BYB didn't tell them anything....I would be RICH!!!! I take calls for puppy referral, general Newf questions, and rescue. Many weekends are spent driving a leg to get a Newf to a foster home....a Newf that I did NOT breed!!! I also have never turned away from a situation that needed help. Most of my time is spend telling people why NOT to get a Newf and how I would NEVER sell them one.

I also happen to WORK at a shelter...payed for 20 hours weekly and donate another 10+. I mainly work with cats, but the extra time is spend with dogs. I work at seeing how many purebred dogs we can get into breed rescue or get back to the breeder. To date, I think ONE dog went back to the owner of the stud dog, since the breeder herself had died. The stud owner happily took the dog in and placed it after neuter.
Good breeders are NOT the problem!!!! Anyone that feels that way has no clue!!! And to try and tell US that we must never set foot in a shelter!!!!! Some people have a lot of nerve!!!!! These are the people that walk in and bring a bag of food every 6 months and call it "donating"!!!!!!
A lot of shelters blame breeders as a whole and buy in to the propaganda that breeders should be stopped. They really have no clue and no nothing about the world of purebred dogs. Many have no idea what BYB even means.

Sadly, BYB putnumber responsible breeders probably 50 to 1 !!!!

Answer 3

I have an interest in breeding Border Collies, maybe, some day. With this in mind and loving this breed so much, I intend to become involved in BC rescue in the very near future. It's a good step to take, before breeding. You learn so much about why the breed of your choice didn't do well in the homes they originally went to (in the case of a BC, too many are unprepared for the activity level and need to mentally stimulate them), as well as learn about health issues that can arise from they typical byb who does no testing what so ever. I may never decide to breed, but either way, if I can be part of rescuing a breed that I love so much, I know that it will be time well spent to ensure these wonderful dogs find placements in good homes.

Answer 4

These days I'm only involved with my greyhounds and fostering newly rescued greyhounds.

When I was breeding afghans, besides life-long support including grooming and training help, and boarding for puppies I sold, I also mentored any new afghan owners looking for help in any aspect. I was also the contact person for the local SPCA in case they had any afghans come into the shelter. I'd come get the dog and do whatever was necessary to try to trace the breeder or get this dog a new home. The saddest case I've ever had was an adult female afghan who weighed 23 pounds when she was brought in, had open sores over her hip bones and couldn't even stand up. She needed a sling to support her weight until she gained to around 30 pounds and could walk again. For some reason, afghans seemed to attract some of the worst people - it was not uncommon to see half-starved afghans. Thankfully, they're not nearly as popular now.

Answer 5

Well, I am not involved with rescue at all but as a breeder of labs, I stand by my dogs by making sure all breeding pairs have PASSED ALL health certifications, I support the local dog community by showing, and I do competetive sports such as obedience, rally and hunting with them. I have spent countless hours via email telling people how to get involved with the breed the right way, how to find a breeder that is reputable etc. I will take any puppies back if the owner decides not to keep them and will care for the dogs for their lifetime.

I have also joined my local, national and regional clubs which help fund education and genetic research as well.

Answer 6

I will foster any Hounds (EVEN Bassets, LOL!) in my area. I used to foster any breeds for my local adopt-a-pet, when I didn't have so many myself. Fortunately, we don't see many Hounds in rescue in this area, especially Sighthounds.

I volunteer to teach training classes at a non-profit obedience club in my area which helps dogs stay in their homes, and those classes are free for adopt-a-pet/HS dogs. I have rehabilitated many problem dogs that would have ended up on a one way trip to the Vets.

Education is nonstop, everyday. I am constantly educating people about their dog problems and do breeder referral as well.

Answer 7

We have rescued for about as long as we've been involved in Siberians. In fact, our very first rescue foster just turned 16 last fall (yeah, the "foster" turned into a "keeper"!). We've assisted in the re-homing of probably 350-400 Siberians, Siberian mixes, and Malamutes over the years.

Right now, I have a rescued Siberian b itch and her 4 week-old puppies of questionable siring occupying my whelping area. We were contacted by an all-breed group with NO puppy-whelping experience and begged for help. So we took her and the new babies. We will raise, socialize, and assist in placing the puppies and we will have their mother spayed and place her as well.

All because some idiot got 2 Siberians (from some other idiot), didn't contain them properly, let them breed, and then decided when the b itch was a week from whelping that they "kept escaping" and were "too much hassle". The male is also in rescue -- if he is the sire, he is monorchid and may have juvenile cataracts. The b itch is barely a year old, and one of the puppies is tricolored -- he looks like a Swiss Mtn. Dog.

ADDED, now that I'm back!

We also field calls on a weekly basis from people who bought a puppy from a BYB or pet store 6 months-1year earlier, and now wonder why it "keeps escaping,", "howls all the time", and "won't come when its called". Nobody has educated them on the breed -- they just took the money and said "good luck". In order to keep these dogs out of rescue, we feel it's our duty to try to educate these people on how to deal with their adolescent Siberian.

I won't even go into the "I want to breed my b itch, do you have a stud?" phone calls, or the "I need to 'get rid of' my Siberian...he really pulls me when we go for walks, so I think he wants to be a sled dog. I'll sell him to you for $150" emails. Needless to say, we try to educate those folks, as well.

And, like any ethical breeder, when we get the "I just saw '8 Below' and really want a husky" phone calls, we tell them all about the breed -- bad points included -- and try to refer them to a responsible breeder we know if they still want a dog. Someone who will also educate them about the breed and help them with their new puppy.

I also donate to my Parent Club's Genetic Health fund every year when I renew my membership, as well as their Rescue fund. I have been contacted a few times for help with various genetic research studies (DNA submission, pedigree submission, etc.) and do whatever I can to help with that.

Answer 8

I love your added statement-we clean up after those who aren't responsible. I feel that because I breed, I need to be a caretaker of my chosen breed. I am a regional rescue contact, I transport, pull from shelters, foster, supply medical needs, etc. I mentor others who want to breed to insure that they are indeed being responsible for those puppies produced.

I don't breed for those on my waiting list. I breed when I want the next generation and I am assured through testing and investigation that the breeding I am doing will be a benefit to the breed. I spay and neuter pet puppies and explain why. If someone gets nitpicky, they can go somewhere else, what I offer in contracts etc, is what I offer. Take it or leave it. I don't change just to sell a dog.

I do public education through our local kennel club. Personnally, if I am involved in purebred dogs, I need to help with all purebreds to the extent I can-education, teaching, outreach....

To me, that's a responsible breeder. I could go on and on, but it's only the uneducated who got burnt that spew that we are cold hearted, etc.

Oh got me on a good day here:0)

Answer 9

Oh my where to begin. How about what I am currently dealing with? This is just this week.

I just adopted the seven election day babies that were from a BYB of white German Shepherds. We got mom right before she gave birth. She is now at another fosters because we had another dog that was going to be euthanized at the shelter before she had her babies. Someohow managed to get one momma to another foster just in time to have more babies from another momma. So now I have 8 squirmy little black labs but momma is a sweetheart Im grateful to the doggie gods we could get her out in time. I took a dog that was returned from 4 years ago because I at least remembered her and who had fostered her and I liked her then. You'll like the reason for return they decided they wanted kids instead of the dog. She is a pain yappy australian shepherd border collie wild woman but I love her. I have the lhasa that is a dangerous dog I just can't euthanize him cause he does have a cute side and If we can handle him someone else out there has to be able to handle him. Are we done yet?? Oh no we haven't gotten to the litter of kittens. I put them in a large dog crate and they won't come out. We have to make them come out 4 of them 3 months old scared to death to function. Done yet Oh no. I have a 3/4 month pit bull chihuahua (??) Why would someone allow that to happen?? He screams like a piggy.. Just screams no control no manners nothing. My ears are still ringing from him screaming all night!!

FYI Yes everything spay and neutered except kittens that will be done this week.

And lets not forget my five dogs that were rescues. two before I started with Stray animal adoption and the other three no one wanted. I was fostering and fell for them so I kept them. I have abiter a parvo survivor Heartworm survivor and one that has lost her mind. Its really not there she freaks out over anything. When she was little the wind blew and we almost lost her. I kept her afraid someone else would lose her.

Answer 10

I volunteered at my local shelter for forty years until my illness over came me. Now unfortunately I can only call and donate. I have fostered (cats and dogs) seem to keep them more than find other homes for them. I first and foremost make sure any animal I own is properly fed, vetted and loved. I train them so they are a joy to be around. All pet dogs and cats are spayed and neutered. I have protested at pet stores and I am one of several to organize the first Dog Easter Parade at my sons middle school this year.