I'm just curious. A while back I visited an Aussie breeder that was producing the sort of dogs I liked at the time. I found her to be helpful and knowledgable and her dogs were happy, well-socialized and well taken care of. She also ran a boarding facility in which her own dogs stayed. These dogs weren't languishing in kennels; they were taken out and worked with every day. The breeder lived on a large plot of land that her dogs got to take advantage of. The kennels were right across the driveway from her house. In theory I don't see this as being unethical, but I found I just couldn't let go of the fact the dogs weren't strictly house dogs (although they got access to the house during the day, too.)
I think the biggest issue for me was that they had two litters on the ground and the pups were living in the kennel, too. As I said, their adults all seemed very well-socialized so I'm sure they were putting in all the necessary work with the pups to give them a good start, but... well, I guess I'd rather see pups raised "underfoot". I'd want to bring a pup home to a new but familiar environment. I would guess that the pups got house time just like the adults, although it's been long enough now that I can't remember.
So my question is, would you be comfortable buying from a breeder whose dogs aren't all kept in the house? Would certain variables effect your decision (ie, it might be okay for some breeds but not ideal for companion breeds?) I'm curious to see what y'all think.
edit: Ack, meant to post this in the Breeding Ground, sorry!
I think the biggest issue for me was that they had two litters on the ground and the pups were living in the kennel, too. As I said, their adults all seemed very well-socialized so I'm sure they were putting in all the necessary work with the pups to give them a good start, but... well, I guess I'd rather see pups raised "underfoot". I'd want to bring a pup home to a new but familiar environment. I would guess that the pups got house time just like the adults, although it's been long enough now that I can't remember.
So my question is, would you be comfortable buying from a breeder whose dogs aren't all kept in the house? Would certain variables effect your decision (ie, it might be okay for some breeds but not ideal for companion breeds?) I'm curious to see what y'all think.
edit: Ack, meant to post this in the Breeding Ground, sorry!