Will I ever get another dog

JencParker

yorkshire_terrier_owner wrote: »

As a breeder, I will answer some questions:

It isn't just a generic question we ask. I am very careful who I sell my pups to and the cumulative answers to all my questions allow me to make a decision about whether I would sell a pup to a prospective purchaser, or not. The answer to this question is very important to me - I can tell a lot from it.

Yes, you do have to be honest with a breeder. I usually can spot a lie a mile off and will ask the right questions until I've unpicked the lies, then send you on your way empty handed. Never be evasive when asked a question by a breeder - we know this means you have something to hide.

I would not be put off from selling a pup to someone who had had a dog run over. However, I would follow with this question:
What measures have you put into place to make sure it doesn't happen again with another dog?
And I would be looking for very specific answers to satisfy me.

Completely agree with this. I vet very carefully and did turn someone away because their previous dog jumped out of the car and got run over. The main reason I refused was because I found out by chance rather than them telling me, rather than because it happened. They clearly loved the dog and would have made a great owner.

Be honest and tell the breeder what you have done to ensure it won't happen again.

yorkshire_terrier_owner

dandelionclock30 wrote: »

Dog breeding when so many dogs are being PTS all the time is in my opinion morally wrong, no ifs and buts it just is. They are just perpetuating the problem. OP do the right thing and get a dog from somewhere like the dogs trust. You will save a dog plus and they will be able to give you advise plus it will be cheaper.
Also you have done nothing wrong, it was just an accident.

You are completely entitled to your opinion. But I would just like to point out that there are 3 types of breeders:
1. Ones who breed responsibly, do anything and everything for their dogs and who will only sell to suitable homes.
2. Ones who are in it for the money. They don't care who they sell to.
3. Puppy farms.

Breeder type one will sell pups on a contract that states the pup must be returned to the breeder if for whatever reason the dog cannot be kept. I would never want a pup I've bred ending up in a rescue centre. I do have one dog who was returned to me who will now stay with me for the rest of her life. Had that owner bought a pup from a breeder who doesn't sell on a contract like mine, that dog could well have ended up in a rescue centre. But she didn't. That is not perpetuating the problem - it is taking responsibility for the lives of every pup I bring into the world. Breeders who are careful about who they sell to will have few dogs returned.

Breeder types 2 and 3 sell to the people breeders like me won't sell to - the ones who aren't suitable or who haven't thought it through or who just want the latest fashionable breed etc etc - the ones who get bored and dump the dog or find out it has major health problems (because of irresponsible breeding) then dump it.

IMHO, yes, irresponsible breeding is morally and ethically wrong and does perpetuate the problem. Responsible breeding is different. But that's just my opinion.

Energize

dandelionclock30 wrote: »

Dog breeding when so many dogs are being PTS all the time is in my opinion morally wrong, no ifs and buts it just is. They are just perpetuating the problem. OP do the right thing and get a dog from somewhere like the dogs trust. You will save a dog plus and they will be able to give you advise plus it will be cheaper.
Also you have done nothing wrong, it was just an accident.

What you are essentially saying is that not doing charity is morally wrong which is ridiculous.

Millions of animals are eaten every day for human pleasure, so no credible argument can be made against not buying from a breeder on such a basis.

duchy

I see it more as a pragmatic decision

I can line a breeder's pocket or I can source a new animal from a shelter.
Both have advantages and disadvantages ....

JencParker

duchy wrote: »

I see it more as a pragmatic decision

I can line a breeder's pocket or I can source a new animal from a shelter.
Both have advantages and disadvantages ....

You're unlikely to line a good breeders pocket - I spent around £400 more on my litter than I received from puppy buyers. And I daren't even include the money I lost while taking time off work to care for them.