Ethical Breeding

Someone once asked me what is a reputable breeder? At the time I was not willing to give a ready answer as I needed to really put some thought into it. A reputable breeder, in my opinion, hopefully is one I can only aspire to be myself, enough to hold my head up and know I am treating my dogs, my kennel name, my fellow Yorkie breeders who trust me with their line, the time they gave me to help me, my breed, and indeed the intent and purpose of the purebred and show dog world with dignity and respect. I alone have to take the responsibility to rise up and aspire to a reputation of contributing to the breed and carrying the legacy left me by the breeders that have handed it over to the newcomers and laid the foundation of our respective breeds. I can only hope the reputable breeder is the one I will see whenever I look in the mirror and hopefully, I will see the images reflected back of perhaps some other fellow true purebred dog fanciers currently in the show rings.

The following is by Dr. Sophia Kaluzniacki, and is reprinted with her permission

The only reason to be breeding purebred dogs is to preserve the best qualities of the breed. Breeding to supply any market is not a justification.

You need to do all of your breeding with the best interests of the breed in mind. Never your pocket book.

For this you need to be a serious student of the breed and devote years of your life to it. No "in one day, out the other".

As a beginner you need to engross yourself in the breed as much as possible and ideally find a suitable mentor.

In order to be a serious breeder, you must show and compete.

You need to keep track of all puppies you produce, whether pet or show, to know how your breeding program is working.

All pet dogs need to go on a spay/neuter contract.

All show puppies need to go on a contract that will not allow breeding unless the dog lives up to the quality intended and passes all health checks and certification necessary for that breed. If a prospective breeder does not want to do this, then I am sorry but they will have to mess with someone else's dogs not mine!!

Co-ownerships allow you a certain amount of control in this regard because they require your signature in order that puppies be registered. The latest news from the AKC is that there is a pending change to the rules that will not allow registration unless all papers are properly signed. If you have a difference with your co-owner it will need to be settled in court before the AKC will register litters or puppies. This is new and still pending, but a step in the right direction.

Every breeder owes to the breed and to themselves to be involved with rescue.

Every breeder should be prepared to take any dog back for whatever reason. If they do not have the space, then they need to be prepared to make other arrangements. But take back they must!

In my ideal world one could not sell dogs. They would only be able to be given as cherished gifts to deserving individuals. This would eliminate the whole pet mill and back-yard breeding industry as they could not make any money. Of course since this world is not the way I envision it as regards dogs, we have to work within the system. So I do charge for puppies and I charge what I think is fair for the time and effort I have put into it. It is certainly not enough to cover all of the expenses. If someone cannot or will not pay my price then let them go somewhere else or take on a rescue. There is nothing wrong with paying a lower price and certainly very noble to rescue. Well I will now get off of my soap box :)