Round 298: Rescuers vs. Breeders. Fight!

[Bahamutt99]

So I was on FB, like I am just about every 5 minutes (sans sleepy time). The news ticker showed me one of my friends furiously posting away on a thread/status so I decided to look. Topic being what do you think of rescues who also breed. Which I took to also possibly mean breeders who rescue, too. I looked at the topic before replying (which in retrospect was a foolish thing to do... the replying I mean), and the responses were largely saddening. A paraphrased sampling:

Rescuers aren't rescuers if they breed.
They should be imprisoned.
Breeders suck. Point blank.
The time for breeding is over. All breeds are available in rescue.
No more dogs should be bred until we can get the population under control.
Breeders who rescue are looking for free breeding stock.
Breeder arguments are always weak.
*Passes out blinders*

A few people tried moderate replies but they were mostly drowned by the flood of anti-breeder vitriol. It honestly scares me when there are multiple people of that mentality running together in a pack. (I liken it to a school of piranhas, or perhaps a frenzied mob.) They are so righteously indignant that they are basically immune to any rational argument that there might be middle ground somewhere between the extremes. Some are so determined to see people pigeon-holed into these neat categories that you wonder if they themselves are capable of walking and chewing gum at the same time.

It makes me sad. Maybe its my background, but I see a real need for dog people to work together. I see a real logic behind a breeder who also rescues. (Perhaps not as much to a rescue that also breeds, but even there, it is not my place to lay judgment on others. They could be great at what they do.) When did we become so hateful of one another? Why this idea that a person who breeds dogs is so inherently evil that they cannot possibly do their part to help homeless dogs, too? They view anybody who breeds as "part of the problem," and probably anyone who gets dogs from a breeder as well. Why the inability to grasp that show- and performance-breeders fill a different niche than rescues? A person seeking a rescue and a person seeking a registered purebred are after two different things; one does not take from the other. No more than my wanting to drive a Chevy causes the death of a perfectly good Toyota.

I am running on my hamster wheel right now. I know that the answers are not to be found in an forum topic. Its basic human nature to need to rally against perceived evil. I just... well, I've found that there is a good percentage of sensible people here, and I just needed to vent.

 

[CaliTerp07]

Do we really have to open up this can of worms again?

Hateful people aren't fun. Avoid them.

 

[CaliTerp07]

Sorry, I didn't see your last sentence...vent accomplished.

I just hope this doesn't turn into an argument here. It always brings out the nasty side of people I wish I didn't have to see.

 

[BostonBanker]

I have a friend who is looking at getting her first dog soon - wonderful person who is going to be a super dog owner. She is looking for something very specific, and feels compelled to rescue because of the number of wonderful dogs out there in need. As I told her, I firmly believe she can find what she is looking for in rescue, but it is going to take a lot of looking and patience, and that you are never doing wrong by dogs if you go to a good, responsible breeder. I am a very firm supporter of rescues; I think they do an incredibly important job that is one of the hardest jobs to do. My two rescue dogs are the light of my life, and I will possibly have nothing but rescues as long as I live. And I am absolutely certain that we need the good breeders out there every bit as much as we need the good rescues.

I think anyone who breeds can and should be involved in rescue work with their own breed when it is needed. There is nothing that makes me more impressed than a great breeder who encourages people to at least consider rescue. I'm not so sure I've ever seen a situation where a rescue was also involved in breeding, so I'm not sure what to think about that.

There will always be the fanatics on either end of the scale, sadly. I have no doubt you are aware of that already!

 

[Greenmagick]

A breeder I respect greatly has the motto "If you breed, you must rescue" She donates time, money, effort, etc to rescue whenever possible.

A rescue I have the utmost respect for has several well bred dogs from breeders and supports REPUTABLE and RESPONSIBLE breeding.

 

[AdrianneIsabel]

A breeder I respect greatly has the motto "If you breed, you must rescue" She donates time, money, effort, etc to rescue whenever possible.

This is my opinion.

However, especially in pit bulls, the people in the breed are the dogs worst enemy. I tend to shield my eyes most of the time.

 

[ravennr]

ah, it's sad when the dog fancier community is so torn. the purpose is completely pushed to the back, i feel, when people have these arguments. it becomes a throwing contest, really. with the loudest being the farthest thrower, because the rest just can't mentally deal with such drivel.

 

[elegy]

I thought for a second you'd been reading the Beyond Cesar Milan community LOL

The line from the most recent argument there that made me the most sad was that when breeders rescue it is a reflection of their guilt - they "know" they're doing wrong by breeding and are trying to make up for it.

I find this somewhat ironic on account of the number of people I know with intact dogs, whether breeders or not, who have not been allowed to adopt from a shelter or rescue even when the rescue dog was already altered.

It just makes me sad when there's so much screaming hatred that nobody is able to listen to what anybody has to say, and nobody can consider that there is not always one right answer.

 

[*blackrose]

My boyfriend and I had this discussion the other day. He brought up over the course of our conversation (I think he was telling me about a Guinea Pig he almost got me LOL) that he couldn't see himself ever purchasing an animal from a breeder, he'd just rescue. His thought process was why pay lots of money for a dog (or any animal) when you can get the same dog (or animal) from a rescue and save a life?

I agree with him in that regard. When you can get the same quality dog. I would support rescuing over purchasing from a less than stellar breeder any day of the week. And I think for most people who don't discern between breeders, this is where their logic comes from.

I brought up that I was planning on purchasing my next puppy from a breeder instead of rescuing because I want to know, without a doubt, that I will be getting a healthy, well tempered dog that will fit what I need. I honestly don't think he even then grasped what I meant until we watched a documentary on Netflix regarding the domestication of dogs. That a.) made him not want to own a wolf hybrid (hooray!) and b.) brought him a little bit closer to understanding that the parent's temperament has a huge effect on their pups, and that health problems can be tested for and avoided. Even though he is still very pro-rescue and he personally has no desire to ever purchase an animal, I think he grasps a bit more of why I would go to a breeder that health tests and is producing even tempered dogs.

But again, even for me, since all I really want is a pet dog I can do things with, if it wasn't for the fact that I really want a puppy, I'd be just as happy rescuing an adult dog that has just what I'm looking for.

 

[SarahHound]

I will always rescue dogs. While I respect those who wish to go to a good breeder, I don't feel there is really any need when there are too many dogs desperate for homes.

 

[Laurelin]

On a semi-related note, I read a thread on another forum about this and several people stated that they would never buy a dog. They said that even in the perfect world and there were no homeless dogs or dogs in shelters and rescues, they would not purchase a dog. If no dogs needed to be saved, then they would not own dogs.

That was a new one to me, and honestly really shocking! I honestly do NOT get it. I own dogs because I like to own dogs.

 

[Lilavati]

On a semi-related note, I read a thread on another forum about this and several people stated that they would never buy a dog. They said that even in the perfect world and there were no homeless dogs or dogs in shelters and rescues, they would not purchase a dog. If no dogs needed to be saved, then they would not own dogs.

That was a new one to me, and honestly really shocking! I honestly do NOT get it. I own dogs because I like to own dogs.

There's a branch of AR thinking that believes that domesticated animals just shouldn't exist. <shrug>

I think they are insane. But it takes all kinds.

 

[HayleyMarie]

There's a branch of AR thinking that believes that domesticated animals just shouldn't exist. <shrug>

I think they are insane. But it takes all kinds.

Is it called PITA???

 

[lizzybeth727]

I used to be "anti-breeder" myself.... though I wasn't very vocal about it (tends to just alienate people), I would mention it if it came up.

Now, though.... well, I bought a puppy from a breeder a year ago, 'nuff said.

Before I got Keegan, though, I spent well over a year searching rescues for the dog that I wanted, and it just flat-out didn't exist in rescue. Then I spent several more months searching for a breeder whose idea of the breed was the same as mine, and was actually producing dogs. I found about four breeders in the country who I would buy a dog from.

For average joe, looking for a family pet, I believe rescue is absolutely the way to go. A little research, and within a few weeks they could have the perfect dog. But the thought of no breeders whatsoever... that's terribly frightening to me.

 

[Renee750il]

I have both. The majority of my dogs have been rescues, but buying from an ethical breeder is something I'm always open to. Buffy and Kharma's breeder did probably way more than her fair share of Fila rescue. I think she had five or six adult rescued -- NEUTERED Filas at one time.

 

[Aleron]

This sort of thing has gotten to be very common thinking with many people. There is a very strong anti-breeder feeling among the masses and it just continues to get worse. Just today, I talked to someone at work who wanted to know if we'd accept his friendly American Bulldog for a bath even though she isn't spayed. Turns out, he talked to several groomers on the phone who told him they don't take intact animals. When he questioned the policy, he was told it was because "intact dogs are too aggressive". We have multiple boarding kennels here who won't take intact dogs too. I believe it's partly because people believe the propaganda about aggression but I believe it's often because they are trying to make a statement.

I have dogs I bred, have dogs from other breeders and have a shelter dog. I wish people could just do what they feel is best and leave the judgement of others out of the equation. But I know that won't happen. People are constantly being fed stories about bad breeders, bad breeding practices, sick purebred dogs and how it is because of breeders dogs die in shelters. That sort of thing really has poisoned the minds of many well meaning dog lovers. It really is a shame.

 

[Linds]

I wish people could just do what they feel is best and leave the judgement of others out of the equation.

This. So much this.

Do what you want. What feels comfortable for you, what fits best for you and keep in mind that should have no impact on what others should or shouldn't do.

 

[Red.Apricot]

When I'm out with Elsie and my boyfriend and his dog, Zobby, people assume that they're both rescue dogs, even though neither is. Some of the things they say when they think you're part of the same 'group' shock me, and it makes me really sad, because there shouldn't be 'groups.' It's my understanding that the vast majority of people involved in rescue and the vast majority of people breeding dogs actually, y'know, love dogs.

 

[Shai]

I still don't really understand the conflict. The good breeders, heck even the decent breeders, aren't creating enough dogs to come close to meeting the demand for dogs. Both benefit from educating the average dog owner regarding the genetic side of health and temperament as well as the elimination of commercial dog mills. Why people must always demonize everything that is Not Them is beyond me.

 

[release the hounds]

all I ask, is whatever responsibility you take on, OWN IT. Live up to your end of the bargain, do what is necessary and be responsible for your pet. I don't care where you get it from. I used to. I guess I still have an opinion of certain types of breeders and will certainly let a few know from time to time what I think of them, but mostly that has to do with them selling bullshit and rather than just someone breeding dogs.