09/19/2025
I recently read a post written by a dog rescue group. They had just acquired a "purebred" dog who was surrendered by its owner. The owner got this dog as a puppy from a breeder with the expectation that it would have a good disposition, a friendly demeanor and would not be aggressive.
However, as the dog grew, it began displaying unpredictable behavior - attacks that were unprovoked which led to serious bites to humans and other dogs. The owner could no longer care of it.
The rescue group hired a positive reinforcement dog trainer who tried everything she could think of to modify this dog's behavior. But whatever she attempted ultimately resulted in the dog's inability to stop attacking and biting. There was no way this dog could be adopted out due to its erratic behavior. The trainer recommended to the rescue group that the dog should be euthanized.
This is such a sad story but one that's repeated over and over again due to unscrupulous dog breeders who don't care that they produce dogs with genetically-based aggression.
Puppy mills and hobby or backyard breeders usually don't have the dogs' best interests in mind; they'll mate whoever they can, whenever they can, to produce multiple litters of puppies for big profits. This means they're mating dogs who may not have good dispositions, who are skittish and/or who show aggression. These qualities get replicated litter after litter. It takes approximately 10 generations to breed out these unwanted traits.
If you're considering getting a puppy from a breeder, DO YOUR HOMEWORK ahead of time. Research the breeder, visit their website, look at their reviews, talk with them, ask to speak with previous buyers, and go to their physical location.
Some red flags:
* If a breeder wants money up front before you get to see the puppies, run the opposite way.
* If a breeder won't allow you to visit their facility, cross them off your list.
* If a breeder wants to meet you halfway to deliver your puppy before you've seen it in person, say no thanks.
* If a breeder requires that you go through a broker to purchase one of their puppies, you don't want to do business with them.
* If a breeder pressures you to make a quick decision about purchasing a puppy, you know they're only in it for the money.
Ethical breeders use their best male and female specimens to produce the best puppies. They also usually breed only two times a year, so they often have a wait list. This is a good thing - a wait list means they're picky about which of their dogs to mate.
Plus, ethical breeders should be willing to let you meet a puppy's parents and will want you to interact with the puppies who are ready to go to their forever homes. They'll also be willing to provide evidence that their dogs are free of diseases and have the required vaccinations.
In addition, ethical breeders see their dogs' welfare as most important. They want their puppies to go to loving and caring homes. They're in this industry to produce the very best representations of the breed standards. Yes, it's a business, however, the dogs' health and quality of life come first.
If you're considering buying a dog from a breeder, I would be happy to assist you in navigating the process. There are responsible breeders out there - research them first before you succumb to the first cute little fluffball you see.
