Why do people judge???

Question

I am a dachshund breeder, and I feel people just think I'm in it for the money. There is a difference between a Puppy Mill and a Kennel. My dogs all live inside with me. They are all treated like pets. I have 3 Dachshunds, I only use two for breeding. The other one has been fixed, but still is my pet. I also have a Puggle who had been fixed. They all see the vet regularly, and are very loved. They all sleep with my kids at night, and the puppies are all raised in my living room where they get constant effection. I plan on getting two more females, but they will be treated just as well. We even have birthday parties for my puppies. I am very picky about who I sell to. I do home visits and vet checks on all potential buyers. I have even turned buyers down because I did not feel they were right for my babies. If it weren't for us breeders, the breeds would die out, and there would only be muts. I love muts, but I also think we have an obligation to continue these breeds.

I agree there are way too many homeless dogs, but that is not the fault of breeders. It is the fault of puppy mills, and irresponsible owners. That's why I am so picky about who I sell to, and I keep in touch with everyone who buys from me. If they seam to be unhappy, or unabled to care for their dog, I will be willing totake it back.

I do not charge $500 - $2000 for my puppies. Go to my website and you will see. I only charge what it cost to care for my pets. www.neaneaspups.com

Answer 1

I am unsure why you feel judged but the reason some people trying to breed are judged is because they are asking a bunch of people who may not know anything about breeding. These so called breeders do not have the slightest bit of knowledge about the breeding process or even that dogs do not get a period. If they wanted to do it right and really cared they would do some research and do everything they could to ensure healthy dogs. I can not stand people that own male and female dogs and throw them together just to make money. A long time ago I bought two dogs from one of these so called breeders and ended up having to put both dogs to sleep before they were 3 yrs old. I know I should have researched more but I had no idea at the time people bred dogs just to make money and they did not vaccinate or do anything to ensure the health of their dogs. So after what I and others I know went through because of greed it makes me mad.
I do not agree with the people who say you shouldn't breed because of all the dogs in the shelter because honestly it is not breeders who cause dogs to end up homeless it is the owners that do not value the animals they own. I do not believe that if breeders didn't breed that a shelter dog would have been saved because I (and I am sure others feel the same way) would not get a dog from a shelter or pound unless it were a puppy and puppies are hard to come by where I live. We live in a throw away take no responsibility society and until that changes the blame has to be laid somewhere so why not on the show and hobby breeders.
If I were you I wouldn't worry about what a bunch of strangers think. If you feel you are doing the right thing who is anyone to tell you differently. I am sure you have heard the saying: "opinions are like as*holes and everyone has got one".

Answer 2

I think "Sandwich" has a great post. For every dog that comes from a breeder, whether it is a responsible one or not, dogs in shelters and at rescue groups would be out of a home. There are doxie rescue groups all over the country...there is purebred doxie at the shelter I work at right now waiting for a home. In fact, I would guess that usually 25-30% of the animals we have at any given point are purebred.

I also agree with the poster who mentioned that it comes down to education. Breeders really need to educate those who they sell to on proper training and care on their new pets. They should also spay/neuter their litters to prevent uneducated people from contributing to this problem. So many people have an “accidental” litter and you know where they usually end up? That’s right, a shelter. We get about at least 5 “dumped off” litters a month at work. And that’s a conservative guess.

I would encourage all breeders to visit their local animal shelters or better yet, start volunteering there. Maybe then breeders will understand why we are so very frustrated with the situation. Imagine if all breeders stopped breeding for simply one or two years, how much of a difference it would make in getting so many of these loving pets a permanent home.

And what is so wrong with mutts? They are generally healther, happier, and better temperamented animals. I know this from dealing with hundreds of purebreds and mixed breed every year. It's always the purebreds who have the severest behavior issues, due their inherent breed natures.

Answer 3

The reason people judge, is because they have Strong feelings about the pet overpopulation problem, and by breeding your dogs you show you don't care about it. A reasonable person will not say you are a bad owner or person for breeding your dog, but you just aren't sympathetic to a cause they care greatly about. By breeding your dog, and putting the effort into finding a quality home, you just take away potential good homes for the homeless dogs out there so it's not just the puppy mills causing the problem. Arguing that the breeds will go extinct is ridiculous, we are nowhere near that point with the vast majority of breeds and quite frankly many of them could stand to have their population cut back.

Answer 4

There is a huge difference in breeding because you enjoy it, and breeding to better the breed. In my experience, with breeders, and with working in animal rescue, the only people who take offense and think they need to defend themselves are the ones who are breeding for fun. If you are doing all that you say, then you're doing much better than most. I love to see a breeder that keeps their dogs inside and not in concrete kennels. It makes for much better puppies, and dogs in the future. It sounds like you are doing a great job. Don't let people get to you. I can see some peoples frustration though with breeders. You can't understand until you see first hand what happens to dogs without homes. And don't think it is just mutts in the shelters. I have seen many purebreeds put down in shelters, some that were even brought in with papers. I think people need to move past judging though, and move more towards educating.

Answer 5

It has to do with your knowledge of breeding, which you have yet to prove to me. Raising your puppies in the living room does not mean you are a good breeder. A good breeder shows, does health tests, breeder for temprement and conformation, and most importantly they breed to compliment the breed. .

Answer 6

You sound like a great breeder. I know that people that dont actually care about breeding give the people who do a bad wrap. And most of the time it is other good breeders who are the ones who are so judgemental. Its like they have a chip on their shoulders and any one who mentions the words breeding or litters gets chewed out because "they didnt do their research" or they are stupid or whatever else. They are just asking a question no need to bite their heads off. Just give them the best advice you can give and back off!

Where are you located because in the future (don't know when) my husband and I would like to get a Dacshund some day and if you are kind of close we might be intrested.

Answer 7

They judge because when people hear breeder, they instantly think puppy mill. It's good to know that there are breeders out there that actually love the dogs they raise. I wish you all the best and it makes me very happy to read all the stuff you do to care for your dogs.

Answer 8

People judge because everyone breeding their pets contributes to the slaughter of 5.000.000, yes five millions adorable, individual and irreplaceable healthy pets that are killed every year in the USA. (www.petfinder.com figures).

Shelters are full to burst of EVERY kind of dog, not "mutts" only, as you call them, and EVERYONE breeding their animals is killing other animals who won't be adopted because your puppy will be adopted in their place.

At this moment there are 2176 Dachsund waiting in shelters to be adopted, so I don't think that without your help the breed would die out!

Of course breeders are in it for the money, I don't see them giving pups away for $10! Serious breeders are better that the disgusting, moneygrubbing freaks that operate puppy mills, but still DO contribute to the slughter, so I don't see how can they be counted blameless.

For every dog you sell, one dies.
As simple as that.

Answer 9

people are harsh on breeders who don't health test their dogs before breeding, and therefore are NOT bettering the breeds they are breeding.

walking through any shelter, or browsing on petfinder for five minutes should answer your question, as to why people are harsh on breeders. you sound like one of the better breeders out there, but for every one of you, there are 20 people on here asking "how long does it take for a dog to have puppies, cause mines pregnant" etc. if you love dogs as much as you appear to, you should understand why people judge irresponsible breeders!

Answer 10

Any particular reason you feel the need to justify breeding?

BTW ~ You claim you are not in it for the money, yet I'm betting you charge anywhere from $500 - $2600. Save the "Without breeders this breed would die off" speech for when you decide to charge an adoption fee complete with vaccinations and optional spay/neuter services. Until then, learn to be judged for what you do, own up to it, be proud of it, whatever, just stop whining.