In Defense of Pet Breeders

Bo at 6 1/2-weeks-old. Bo officially arrives at the White
House on Tuesday, April 14, 2009. (AP Photo/Art & Martha Stern)

Bo Obama, the new dog in the White House, is getting a lot of press, not just for what he is, a pedigreed, purebred Portuguese Waterdog, but moreso even for what he isn't; he isn't a shelter dog. Animal advocates around the country cheered when President-elect Obama announced he wanted to get a shelter dog during his victory speech; but alas it was not to be. Instead Bo was gifted to the Obama children by Senator Edward Kennedy and his family, purchased from the same breeder that the Kennedys got their own Portuguese water dog from.

The Outrage Begins

It is predictable outrage. When Vice-President Joe Biden purchased a German Shepherd puppy from a breeder, he got alot of flack from various animal rights groups, including PETA. The breeder herself was harrassed, had false and defaming information spread about her and her operation . This sort of behavior from groups and individuals that claim to value life is not acceptable and should be condemned not just by the general public, but by honest human rights advocates everywhere.

Yes, buying a dog from a breeder instead of a shelter was a huge political gaff. Both Biden and Obama lost alot of respect with animal rights groups and missed the golden opportunity to set a great example for the rest of the country. I am not sure I buy the supposition that it would have caused a run on animal shelters and nor do I believe that shelters will be hurt by this, but from a political standpoint, what could have been can be a big deal. People who like specific breeds like those breeds and they go to breeders because of their reputations, their expertise and the quality of their dogs. It's not as if the Bidens and the Obamas bought puppy mill dogs.

A Point for Quality Breeders

The breeders who produced Bo Obama and the Kennedy's dog, Martha and Art Stern have all the hallmarks of a responsible breeding operation. They insist on a contract requiring purchasers to return dogs to them if they are not wanted. This means her dogs do not end up in shelters. Bo could have been a shelter dog if this contract was not in place; his first home did not work out.

Reputable, quality breeders often get a bad name from association with puppy mills or puppy farms. There is a very big difference. Puppy mills main focus is making money. They breed as many dogs as they can and ship them out to pet stores. These dogs are usually not treated as pets at all and often get little human contact. There is often little consideration put into pairing of dogs. After all, if you put together two German Shepherds, you get two German Shepherds, right?

Reputable breeders on the other hand carefully select dogs to breed based on a variety of things including breed standards, temperament and health. Quality breeders who focus on a single or a few select breeds know what genetic problems are likely to pop up in a pup and watch for it in the parents and in their litters. Careful pedigrees are kept not just so snooty owners can trace Fifi's descent from the poodle owned by royalty, but so health, temperament and conformation can be tracked through generations and informed pairings can be made. Pups that don't meet strict standards are neutered and sold as pets and those that are sold intact are often sold with a contract limiting their future breeding. Most breeders work out of love for the breed and the desire to perfect it and consequently don't end up making much profit, despite the fact that they charge so much more than the puppy mills or the shelters.

Mutts vs Purebreds

The advantage of purchasing a purebred versus a mutt is that you generally have a good idea of what to expect. Purebred dogs are bred for a purpose, they are working dogs, hunting dogs, or companions and their temperaments, size and energy levels reflect that. For those potential pet owners who want to work with their dogs or compete with them, purebreds are often the best choice and sometimes the only choice since many competition organizations limit their membership to specific breeds. This isn't to say that mutts are completely disenfranchised. Mutts can perform just as well in competition as purebreds, but with a mutt you never know for sure. The age old wisdom that mutts are healthier and smarter than "in-bred" purebreds doesn't hold water when you consider the fact that a mutt is just as likely to inherit a parent's genetic issues as a purebred, but without a pedigree you just don't know.

Don't get the idea that I think mutts are not worth keeping as pets. I have a mutt myself and he's a great, loyal, clever companion, though he'll never be a competetor. The result of an accidental breeding, he inherited allergies and hip problems from his unknown father. Mutts are almost always the result of an accidental breeding and people who produce mutts are much more irresponsible than breeders who carefully select parents for the production of sound pups. Yes, mutts deserve a place in our hearts and homes, but breeders do not deserve our derision; as long as they breed responsibly. The shelters are not overfull of dogs right now because of responsible breeders or their customers, but because of puppy mills, backyard breeders and irresponsible pet owners who do not neuter their pets. Let us lay blame where it is due.

It may also be noted that everything said here holds true for the breeding of any pet. Cats are especially a problem in shelters right now because cats breed much more readily than dogs, are less likely to be neutered, and survive much better in feral situations.

Get Your Own

I do want to encourage anyone in the market for a new pet to visit their local shelter. Shelters are full of purebred and mixed breed dogs of all ages waiting for someone to adopt them. Which one you choose depends on what is best for you and your family. Visit Petfinders to find a rescue dog near you! And if you're wondering, yes, there are many Portuguese water dogs available, but be sure you do your research so your new pet doesn't end up back in the shelter and contact a good trainer like the folks at Dog Training in Your Home to help your new pet with the transition.