To Breed, or Not to Breed?
—The broken oreo philosophy—
I haven’t written a blog in so long. I write in my free time, it’s relaxing and enjoyable. So when I’m busy, it just doesn’t happen. In addition to my hectic schedule, I have had one thing on my mind that I just can’t stop thinking about. Something I know may be controversial, and will probably make certain people uncomfortable, but I just can’t sit down and write about anything else until I write this out. It’s one of those things I’m going to have to preamble with some obligatory statement like, “This is my own opinion. This does not reflect the views of Husky Haven of Florida or anyone else other than me, myself, and I.” Capisce? Okay.
Volunteering with a rescue opens your eyes to many things you wish you could unsee and unhear and unknow. You can’t begin imagine the unfathomable number of people surrendering their dogs for stupid reasons, plea after plea to save a dog in a shelter that will be euthanized within a matter of hours, the abuse, neglect, and rampant over breeding in certain areas. Hundreds of messages a week. And that’s just my experience with one rescue that works with just huskies in Florida.
As such, one thing you begin to detest more than anything when you volunteer with a rescue, is breeders. Not necessarily ALL breeders. I mean backyard breeders, hobby breeders, puppy mills, and people who generally have zero idea what they are doing (or even worse, people who think they know what they are doing, but really don’t). They make what we do in rescue 1000% harder. They perpetuate the need for rescue by churning out puppy after puppy after puppy to sell to the first person to hand them a wad of cash. They don’t care who that person is, what they plan to do with the dog, how old they are, how responsible they are, or if they even know anything about dogs. They care about money. Those puppies, so callously sold, grow into rambunctious teenagers and quickly find themselves without a family. Is there a solution to this problem? Heck yes there is. Quit breeding your dogs, ya crazies!! Unless you know EXACTLY what you’re doing and you’re willing to spend a significant amount of time money to do it correctly and responsibly, you probably should just spay or neuter your puppy. Yes, your PUPPY. No waiting until adulthood necessary.
Think you want to breed your dog? Should you? Let’s take a look at this nice chart here and see how far you make it.
Ya, prolly not.
I recently had someone tell me they wanted to breed their dog. I would love to say that the reasoning was noble and for the betterment of the breed. I would love to say that. But no, it was because the dog was “cute” and “well tempered.” I am a dog walker/pet sitter, all day every day I take care of other people’s dogs. I am constantly meeting new people and new puppies. Let me tell you somethin’… Every single person thinks their dog is cute and sweet. Every. Single. Person. Even the people with the a**hole, snarling, one toothed, Quasimodo looking dogs. And they are right, because every dog deserves love and every dog is a little angel. But that’s not a reason to irresponsibly breed any random dog. Neither is money. Neither is because you think your dog will give a sh*t about it’s legacy or lineage. Neither is wanting to witness birth. Neither are “oops” puppies (there are countless places that will spay and neuter for under $100, sometimes even FREE). These are just a few, among the hundreds, of bad reasons.
When people decide to make these choices for their dogs, they rarely do so with the knowledge they need to do so responsibly. Every single day, I get to see the consequences of those bad choices. Having two dogs with disabilities puts me in the front row seat to watch what happens after an ill prepared “breeder” shoves any two dogs together to make babies. The puppies come out with deformities, behavioral issues, health problems, disabilities. While I love my dogs to pieces just the way they are and believe that they have just as much right to live as any other dog, I wish that they hadn’t been born with disabilities. How I wish I could see something as simple as Dallas wagging his tail when I walk in the door. Unfortunately he was born with a deformed tail that was paralyzed and subsequently amputated. How I wish I could see Maple sprint across the dog park, keeping pace with all her friends. Instead she falls behind. How I wish that someone had made a better decision or even attempted to educate themselves before subjecting my dogs to a fate of living differently without the ability to comprehend why. Even if you think you’re getting a perfect pup from a breeder, they can still swindle you. Our husky, Zulu, who we purchased from a “breeder” before we discovered Husky Haven of Florida, is not even full Siberian Husky! We did a DNA test! Those puppy mills and backyard breeders are crooks, I tell ya. (We still love her, don’t worry.)
Why were my dogs bred so recklessly? Because huskies are so in, right?! They are cute little babies featured in all the coolest shows. Don’t be fooled. Puppymills know when certain breeds will be popular and they have prepared for the buying frenzy by making as many puppies as possible as quickly as possible, regardless of the consequences. Why fall for their ploy?! What’s the deal with buying a living creature without doing a lick of research on it’s characteristics? Huskies are difficult dogs to live with. Many people quickly find they just can’t handle such a demanding breed. Many others are suddenly faced with nightmarish veterinary bills often related to genetic issues (read, irresponsible breeding). Before purchasing a pup after you watch a movie with a cool lookin’ husky, do your research, prepare! Maybe volunteer as a foster parent for a husky rescue to see if you could handle it. If you can’t, that’s okay! There are SO MANY OTHER BREEDS!
This is a great segue to my next, probably most controversial, point……
Dog breeds are fake.
Before I say more, check out this video below.
I like this show, it’s a show called Adam Ruins Everything. It’s fun and quirky and they site their sources!
While this video may seem a bit harsh, can you really disagree? Don’t misunderstand me, I agree that different dog breeds were bred for specific purposes that are 100% well intended. Take Siberian Huskies for instance, bred for endurance, determination, and to stay warm in the coldest of climates. They had a goal and a purpose. Then, at some point in time, someone decided nothing else can be changed. Not the color, not the shape, not the height or length or even the temperament of a husky. Nothing could get better, everything could get worse. If you dare try to correct it, you’ve created a lowly mutt. Not a mutt!!! GASP! What an abomination! All breeds were mutts at one point not too long ago. Gotta say, some of the cutest dogs I’ve ever seen are mutts.
I mean, look at this handsome angel…
My baby boy, Jax. Cutest and sweetest dog of all time. 100% mutt and proud of it.
I am not against purebred dogs. I obviously love me some huskies! I just don’t see the point in perpetuating genetic health and behavioral problems because some rando once declared that every other husky from that point forward had to be essentially clones in order to be worthy of love. Variety is the spice of life! If you want a husky, it should be because you love the dog, not because it fits arbitrary “breed standards.” The mixes, the smaller ones, the larger ones, the ones with non-traditional colors or patters, or, god forbid, the ones with disabilities, are just as perfect (if not technically healthier) and worthy of love. The reason puppy mills thrive is because people think they need purebred dogs because they have been fed the lie that purebred dogs are healthier, better dogs. In reality, mutts, genetically hardier and healthier, have that diversity human kind strives to achieve. Most importantly, a mutt is just as loving as any “pure bred” dog. Not only that, but they plentiful and you can find them in ANY shelter you visit!
There ARE good breeders in the world who do truly care. There ARE indeed good reasons to breed dogs, or should I say, one good reason to breed dogs: Betterment of the breed/betterment of the species. If you find yourself wanting to buy a dog from a breeder, ask them questions you would ask of someone hired to be a surrogate mother to your own baby. Ask about genetic health issues, ask about the dogs lineage (not too limited/inbred), ask about temperament, ask how many dogs they have and how often they breed them, etc., etc., etc. The list is long and the list is IMPORTANT! A reputable breeder will happily answer and provide all this information easily, quickly, and satisfactorily.
Point being, pedigree dogs are not any better than your beloved shelter mutt. If you truly want a specific breed, hit up a rescue. We may not be able to advertise that oh so enticing “purebred” label, but that’s a GOOD THING! When new “fad” dogs emerge and you just have to have one, do your homework. Many purebred dogs will have common genetic health concerns, behavioral issues, stemming from rampant inbreeding and overbreeding. If your lifestyle doesn’t mesh well with say, the insanity that is a husky, remember that adopting a mutt is never a downgrade! Adopting any dog, whether a specific breed or super mutt, is saving not only that dogs life, but making it harder for puppy mills and backyard breeders to continue their horrendous operations, thereby saving the lives of hundreds of other dogs. Don’t you want to be a hero? Sure you do!
Brewster. Before and after his rescue and adoption. Found after neglect and embedded collar.
Rescue saves lives. Adoption saves lives. Research before adopting, think twice before buying, think 100 times before breeding.