Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
I have a four-old-year old Boston Terrier, Bella. She is the love of our lives, right along with her four side kicks, Lucy, Delilah, Rachel, and Bo. We first bred Bella when she was two years old, she had eight beautiful puppies, all healthy and she raised them all. We bred her again last March, she had nine beautiful pups, all healthy, and she raised all of them.
Since you're asking opinions, I'll give you one. You've done enough. WHY bring more puppies into the world when it's already over run with unwanted animals? I know her puppies are the best and special and sooo sweet but I'm sure all the other puppies in the world are, too.
How about instead of contributing to the over population of canines, spay her and STOP it now. It's not fair to her to put her through it for your own pleasure/ignorance.
I agree with the previous posts. Please have your dog spayed and do not add to the population of dogs in this world. If you do not agree with this idea, just log onto a site called Petfinders.com and look at the hundreds and hundreds of unwanted dogs in this country.
First of all I did not post this subject matter to offend anyone's sensibilities. I am not ignorant. I do not run a puppy mill. I will not limit my enjoyment in life because of the behavior of people that do not care for their pets.
My dogs are not bred indiscriminately. My dogs are under a vet's care and they are all registered, right along with all the pups. I enjoy my dogs and I do not feel like I am putting them 'through anything' it's a normal process for life to reproduce.
I am licensed and my dogs are kept at the house, where they interact with the family. They are not kept in small cages and such.Also I do not mix the breed with another breed and produce a hybrid. I keep the line pure. What I wanted was the expertise of people that deal with dogs, not my integrity brought into question or raked over the coals.
I am sure you love and care for your dogs, but take a moment and think about the MILLIONS of animals that are put to sleep every year in this country because no one wants them. Your dog has had two great litters.
You can breed your dog safely and without putting her through too much strain by only breeding her once a year and only until she's 6 or 7 depending on her health. When she's pregnant, feed her puppy food all the way until the puppies are weaned. This is what my vet told me. Breeding a dog is natural.
i cant help but encourage you to leave the breeding to the pros. many people think their dogs have the best nature etc. but there are just to many dogs out there. i am not saying you dont care about your dogs. i love my baby. but she was an unwanted dog i got from the spca. there are to many dogs out there now. why enter more
Don't listen the the people who just feel they need to add their 2 cents. As long as a dog isn't be breed back to back.
I personally wouldn't breed every year, so just so the mama has some recovery time.
I was so sorry to read that some people cannot tell the difference between knowledgable advice and an emotional opinion. What the writer asked for was knowledgable advice, NOT, YOUR EMOTIONAL OPINIONS. I have had dogs for years, and have bred a few, but have usually chosen to keep them for pets and thus have had them spayed asap. Medically speaking, the safest thing for your dog is to wait at least one year between each breeding. That is the rule of thumb as long as her pregnancy was without complications. We need to get over the idea that we are supposed to be the voice of everyones conscience. This poor lady was brow beaten by people who do not know her as a person, nor do they know all of the details of the situation. A bit more compassion, and less egotistical judgmental behavior would make the world a lot nicer place for everyone. As my Mom used to say , "sweep around your own back door before talking about the dirt around someone elses".
How is this question a Thrifty related question unless you are trying to make money from breeding dogs. Unless you consider the free advice as being "thrifty" which in this case is a big mistake since you really need to research and get expert advice instead of anonymous responses from strangers who may or may not be qualified to answer your question.
Good gracious, I had no idea I would annoy people with this question.
For those of you that gave me your opinions on how often you would breed and why, I want to thank-you.
I have done a lot of research, talked to my vet and other vets. It's amazing how you can get so many different ideas on breeding dogs. That is why I wanted the opinion of a larger audience.
As for the person that replied about making money. I am not here to solicit my dogs. There are plenty of places to do that and here is not one of them.
I want to talk to normal people with constructive thoughts and ideas on things, not a question of my morals and what not.
For those of you I have offended or ruffled your tail feathers, my apologies.
Dogs and cats who are spayed and neutered have less chances of cancer. My husband and I have dedicated ourselves to helping animals and own many animals. Including two cats of which I picked up right before they were about to be killed. I think you need to think very hard about this.
Here's a good link about it:
www.bostonterrierclubofamerica.org/
Scroll down and they have some information about breeding.
I have volunteered at animal shelters over the years. Millions of healthy, beautiful dogs, cats, puppies & kittens are put to sleep each year due to the habitual lack of permanent, responsible homes. Please reconsider breeding your pet. I can understand if your dog's breed were on the verge of extinction that you might want to breed her but I agree with the other posters that there are just too many unwanted pets in this country already alive and fighting for their lives while searching for a home. I wish the government could impose a ban on breeding pets while this country gets its huge pet overpopulation problem under control.
Friends of Animals (Nationwide Program) - (800) 321-7387
www.friendsofanimals.org/
Female Cat - $65 / Female Dog - $90
Male Cat - $51 / Male Dog - $64
Or call your local animal shelter, humane society or animal control facility for low cost & free programs in your area.
Hi Susan,
I do not think anyone is meaning to offend you. I know I'm not meaning to myself. But I do understand what they are saying (albeit a bit harsh).
If you take a look at websites like kijiji.com, you will see just how many unwanted pets there are floating around. Most of them talk about bringing their animal in to get killed just because they cannot house or care for it anymore.
I understand you are a licensed breeder, so all I am encouraging (like I do with every breeder I meet) is to tell them to please consider the cons and pros, and maybe make this years litter the last. I know it is only one dog, one person, but every little bit counts.
I know it just breaks my heart every time I go to the SPCA and have to see how much overcrowding there is, and I only live in a small town.
It's possible that several of your sweet pups will probably end up in someones puppy mill raising puppies and being abused all their lives. It happens all the time to well know breeders that make every effort to keep track of there dogs and prevent it from happening.
Do you have a contract with whoever you sell your pups to that in the event that they no longer want them or can care for them that you will get them back. Are they micro chipped, Is there a spay neuter contract so that they won't continue to make more unwanted dogs in shelters.
Responsible breeders use these tools to help keep the population under control. The only dogs they sell without a spay neuter contract or better yet have them done themselves at a young ages, are the ones that they feel strongly will make show dogs and even then they are very picky about who they sell them too.
Just remember every time you look at those little darlings that some of your next litter may end up disposed of or abused.
Hi
There is nothing wrong with breeding your dog! Please do not listen to the humaniacs. Make sure your dog passes all her health clearances and do not breed her back to back. I would only breed a bitch every two years to make sure that the offspring pass all their health clearences also.
If I were the bitches owner, I would only have three litters and then have her spayed. Nine pups is a huge littler! She must be a good size bitch! I do not believe your puppies will end up in shelters, Boston's are becoming more popular, for good reason, They are very nice pets!
I am sorry that a simple question is treated with such malice. No everyone wants a dog from the shelter. Some prefer purebred dogs. I was under the impression that this is a free country. It is people running down others that lead to wars. What we need most is people being suportive of others. Personally I always look to this site for freindly cheerful support not fighting and anger.
Is dog breeding cruel?
By Lucy
I think there may be some breeders who are irresponsible and that would be cruel to the animals to breed them with bad temperaments and have them end up in the shelters to be put to sleep. Some people want dogs which they know for sure what they will look like and temperament wise they need a specific type, like for police or rescue work or just for a family pet. I prefer mutts and mixes myself, but have pure breeds also. They are all the same to me; little souls who need love and care.
All puppy mills are cruel and most pet stores buy their dogs from puppy mills not to mention all the other animals they carry. Robyn
It is cruel if the dog is being bred only to make money, without regard for where the pups will go, who will take care of them, etc. It is cruel if dogs are allowed to breed indiscriminately, having pups all the time that the owners don't want, and dumping them 'in the country, where surely someone will take care of them'---leaving them to starve slowly, get run over by cars, or shot by people. It is cruel if they are bred and the pups are constantly locked up in cages, with little exercise or human interaction.
There are many decent dog breeders out there. There are many decent regular people out there as well, with 'mutts', that take care to ensure the dogs only have puppies that will have good homes.
If someone thinks dog breeding is cruel, the best thing to do is only get dogs from shelters, and make sure all pets are spayed, neutered.
Breeding a dog is only done by reputable breeders for the betterment of the breed. Dog shows are regularly held in most countries, sponsored and sanctioned by the National Kennel Clubs. Here in the US The American Kennel Club has shows in all 50 states and Specialty clubs also hold shows for their respective breeds.
Breeders and owners show their dogs hoping to prove that their dog is as close to the written standard (definition) of the breed as possible and that their dog can contribute something to better the breed. Their puppies that don't turn out as well as expected are normally sold as "pet quality" and the new owners are required by contract with the breeder to spay or newter the puppy.
I strongly believe in the AKC and what they are trying to do. I feel strongly that all puppy mills should be shut down as well as "backyard breeders".
If you are thinking of breeding your dog because you think it "would have such cute puppies", PLEASE DON'T. If you are thinking of breeding your dog because someone said "I'd like to have a dog just like that", PLEASE DON'T. If you want to breed your dog because you think it would improve the breed, then go to an AKC Sanctioned dog show, learn how to show dogs, and let your dog prove that he/she will improve it's breed.
There are already so many dogs and cats in the world that will be euthanized this year, and breeding your dog just to make money, or whatever the reason, just does not make sense. Please get your dog spayed or neutered an enjoy it's companionship. Pat T in NV
Patom makes some very good points and I agree whole-heartedly with her on all her points except one.
She said all puppy mills should be shut down. I AGREE! I wish the owners and operators of these puppy mills would be sent to jail for animal cruelty. I wish the laws and the punishments for animal cruelty would be a lot stronger.
Where I do not agree is the shutting down of all back yard breeders. I do agree that they should be sanctioned by the AKC and there should be regulations covering them, including having a license to operate (this license should be required for show-quality breeders also) and the license should not be easy to obtain either. There should be classes required to learn about breeding, etc.
There is a reason why I don't believe that obtaining pet-quality dogs should be left to getting a "throw-off" from a show quality litter. Anyone who has ever tried to find a specific breed simply to have as a pet, or as I prefer to consider it---a part of the family, and has ever checked with the show dog breeders about their pet quality puppies, knows what I mean. These breeders want to sell their pet quality puppies for almost as much as they sell their show quality pups for! By making this the only place where we can buy a puppy, it would mean that the average person couldn't own a dog! The average person can't afford to pay $1000+ for a puppy that they don't intend to breed or show.
So yes, I believe back yard breeders should be allowed to continue, but with regulations. However, I belleve there should be a section of everty police department that is trained in these regulations and responsible for regular checks on these breeders---both back yard and show. I do agree tho that after the sale, the new owners should be required to have the puppy spayed or neutered when it comes of age. This would quickly cut down on strays running loose.
Let's not leave the cats out of this tho. I feel that these same restrictions should be applied to cat breeders too.
All in all I believe that all pet ownership should be better governed (this new animal section of the police departments could handle this). Pet owners (not just breeders, but ALL pet owners of ALL types of pets) should have regular unscheduled visits from the animal police, checking the area where the pets live, and the quality of life that the animals live in.
In many areas (the county I live in Robeson County, NC for one). The animal control people believe that "adequate shelter" includes simply having a tree over where the dog is tethered.
Here are some examples of what the animal control here has called "adequate".
1. One neighbor had a large bird dog. It was kept on a chain in the back yard. Once a week the man of the house would bring a 50# bag of food out and dump it on the ground. If it rained, or got full of bugs or ants, Oh well. He got a bucket of water once a week. If it got dumped "well then he shouldn't have been dumb enough to dump it" is what he said. The same thing would be said when he got tangled up in the high thick weeds or trees. The weeds in it's yard were so high you couldn't see him except to see the weeds move. Animal control said, it had food (on the ground), water (bucket was dumped over when they came), and shelter (only the trees) so it was ok.
2. Another neighbor had a dog (that one has since died and now they have another that is living in identical circumstances) that they kept in the back yard in a small fenced area. These dogs are German shepherd sized dogs living in fenced areas no bigger than 8 or 10 ft square. The weeds are so thick and tall that the dog doesn't have room to walk around. The people will go on vacation leaving the dog in the back yard with no one to care for it. The only shelter is has is the trees. Animal control says this is ok.
In both these situations, these dogs are NEVER paid attention to. NEVER said a kind word to, or petted, played with, anything. They were cute when they were puppies and when they grew some and got "not so cute" this is what the rest of their lives was like.
So I believe that the animal control officers should also be held accountable for the quality of their jobs. I'm not saying that right, so I hope everyone understands what I mean. But if the people assigned to be animal control officers, or animal police, were properly trained and their judgments checked up on it would help a lot. As it is right now, those of us who want to report abuse have no where to turn, because through experience we have learned that it does us no good. I have even had the animal control threaten ME (and I do try very hard to provide my pets with well and happy homes and lives) and say they were going to haul ME off to jail for reporting the abuse of the animals around me!
Sorry for going on and on but Lucysplash hit on a sore spot!
Happy Spring everyone!
OK yes this is a sore spot for me too. I have a wonderful dog that is full of personality and she is so sweet and pretty. She is also a mutt. The dog before her was a mutt and all of the same wonderfulness. I got my first dog for free from the newspaper. I got my current dog at the humane society. I like to think I saved both of these dogs and gave them a good home.
Breeding in and of itself from a professional breeder is not harmful to the female mother. But I feel it is harmful to society at large to see these PERFECT dogs that can be bought at upwards of $500 and then get them home and that dog is NOT PERFECT. Those purebred dogs end up in the pound too just like my mutts.
Puppy mills are not breeding for the good of the animal they are breeding for the love of money so I don't even count them as breeders.
There are so many wonderful dogs that can be found at the pound, spca, or even breed rescue organizations there should be no reason for someone to breed another dog just because you might think they are cute etc.
To me, IF the breeder is taking the health of mama-dog and her babies into consideration even before breeding takes place, and considering the futures of the babies via already having committed and responsible buyers for the pups, then it is not cruel. Some show dog participants also breed, and their pups always seem to be cared for and healthy; the cost is likely so high as to prevent abusive buyers from buying a pup then abusing it.
However, I think puppy mills, where dogs are neglected, inbred, and sold to just about anyone is wrong and cruel. If this were a perfect world, there would be few breeders, with stringent care rules, so all the mutts and mistreated pooches born through cruel breeding practices or lack of prevention could have a chance at a home. I love certain breeds as much as the next person, but realistically all pooches have the same potential depending how they are treated, and while a mutt may never win a dog show, they can be prettied up, well trained, and loved, just like a purebred. In summary, I think cruelty prevention in breeding is completely tied to being responsible for one's actions.
Just had to add my 2 cents. It makes me crazy when someone wants to justify their dog having pups with "they all have/got homes". For every pup (or kitty) that is placed, is one less spot for a fur baby in need of a home that now resides in a shelter. I live in FL and am a huge animal lover! In the next county, over a 10 year period, 130,000 (yes, that's one hundred and thirty thousand!) were euthanized due to over population! That's just one county of 67 in our state. And what about the rest of our county? More of the same I'm sure. This must stop! Please spay & neuter all pets! And, open your home to as many as you can properly care for. Do something, anything, to stop this madness! Donate $ or time to a shelter. Or just spread the word! We all need to do the RIGHT thing for these furry souls. =^.^=
My daughter was wanting a cat and I did not want to have one killed because I bought from a pet store and I liked the idea of fostering a mommy cat and seeing her kitties. I did this because I would not even think of getting a normal cat and letting it get pregnant. So if you want to teach about birth and life and such, please foster pregnant cats from the shelter. Some will allow this. This saves lives, and pet store cats are sometimes from overcrowded and unscrupulous breeders that don't care about their stock.
There is really no reason to allow a cat to breed unless you are showing and selling kittens. Still there are sooo many wonderful cats having to be killed everyday, why not adopt? They really are so much better than the average pet store animal and you are really saving a life or a litter. Robyn
Yes! Because there are thousands of dogs in shelters without homes. There are too many dogs, don't bring more into this world.
Mom to a Shelter Dog
Marcie
I wouldn't rush to call dog breeding cruel. We bred an older dog years ago to have a puppy from a beloved family pet's blood line and as fate would have it he was hit by a car while the female was pregnate with the puppies. So in some cases it could be in the same classification as having children vs adoption. As a side note though: the best dogs we have ever had has been mixed with 2 breeds known to be good family pets. I say that as in parenting as long as the person is willing to take care/find homes for their offsprings/puppies have as many as you can take care of.
My dog is 3/4 min pin and 1/4 chihuahua. If I breed her with a full bred chihuahua will her puppies be considered a min pin chihuahua mix, or mutts?
By Kakors from Richland, WA
Definitely with a bernese! But why do you want to breed her to begin with? Is it to continue the breed? Or are you just thinking they'd be cute puppies that you could make some extra money with?
If it's the "cute puppy and extra money" reason, then please, for the sake of the future dogs you'd be producing! Find another method of making money!
If it's to better the breed, then contact your local Bernese Mountain Dog breed club (you can find out about them through WWW.AKC.ORG) and talk to them before you do anything else.
I would say they would be min-pin/chihuahua mix. We have a chi-a-poo (3/4 chihuahua, 1/4 poodle). She was bred with a full bred chihuahua and her puppies are also considered chi-a-poos because of the poodle in the mother.
Renee in TN
Please reconsider. Many people think their dog would make a great litter of puppies, but there are so many dogs out there that need homes. Please don't breed your dogs.
I have healthy happy Dox/Pit Bull Mix. She is affectionate, very smart, and good with children, everything you'd want in smaller lapdog. She's just over one year and weighs 25 lbs. I was wondering what breed would be a good fit? Thanks in advance.
ThriftyFun is one of the longest running frugal living communities on the Internet. These are archives of older discussions.
I am thinking about mating my Bernese Mountain Dog. Should I mate with a Bernese or a Great Pyrenees?
By luann from IL
In my opinion, I think that you shouldn't mate at all. Keep in mind that if you mate, that you will have to sell or give all the puppies that you don't want away. And with the economy as bad as it is, most people won't buy. Many shelters are full now because people can't take care of their animals, just keep that in mind. (07/28/2009)
By Lauren
So true. My husband & I breed pedigree GSD's and GR's but we also do private rescue work (on a very minor scale), usually about 12 - 18 dogs a year. By the end of June this year we had re homed more than 24 dogs and still had 5 in our kennels looking for homes! If you must breed your dog never, never crossbreed. Contrary to popular belief it is NOT good for your dog to have puppies. Do you know how many things can go wrong?
Oh and by the way, we have also suspended our breeding program. Love your dog for what she is - your friend and companion. (07/28/2009)
By Kaye
I wish that the government would step in and make it against the law (with a huge fine and long prison sentence) for anyone to breed animals without a license. And that license should be next to impossible to get. Potential breeders should have to prove their intent to breed to better the breed and not just for the sake of getting some "cute little puppies to make some cash off of". And cross breeding should carry an even higher penalty. (07/28/2009)
By Cricket
Many people still believe that old tale that a female should have one litter of pups. Not only is that actually detrimental to her health (she has a much higher risk of mammary cancer if she has pups), but it lessens the chance of a rescue dog being adopted. Another homeless dog will be euthanized instead; there are simply more dogs and cats in the world than there are homes. Why bring unwanted animals into the world deliberately? Please spay your dog instead.
Oh, and on the subject of thriftiness, check out vet costs in order to responsibly breed. It is not a money-making enterprise! One sick pup at the vet's for two days just cost our rescue $1000. Then there are health checks, vaccinations, etc.
Sincerely, Janet, an animal-rescue volunteer (07/29/2009)
Think about it first; the great Pyrenees is a giant breed. The Bernese is cute and large, many similarities between the two, however, have you thought of the health risks? The Bernese dog and Great Pyr have similar health issues, osteosarcoma being one. Separately these are healthy dogs, as someone said, what about the puppies? They need to know about the breeds, and will see these cute little dogs, you think temperamentally sweet, but in cross breeding you never are sure. Please reconsider and stay with breeding the Bernese with the Bernese, if you have ever been to a shelter and seen a great pyr, you will know why..or any canine for that matter. (07/29/2009)
Please take the advice of those that have cared enough to respond back to you and don't breed your dog, or before you do just go to your local animal shelter and walk through and then ask them when they will put to sleep the animals. It is heart breaking to see. Our local animal shelter puts them down once a week. The animals never really have a chance once they go in. Please be responsible and just think about it before you do it. (07/29/2009)
By sharon
I think it would be better to keep them pure bred. Hybrids are in a way mutts. They are also more valuable pure bred. Pure bred dogs are much less likely to end up in a shelter, their monetary value often saves their lives. (07/29/2009)
By Lilian
I am a huge animal lover and a foster mom for a local shelter, and I absolutely adore both BMDs & GPs, but please do not breed your dog for any reason! Any pup you create is like putting another to death. There are far too many wonderful animals put down every day in the country, just because there are not enough good homes. I know for a fact, that one county in my state of FL, euthanized over 130,000 (YES, you read that right), in a 10 year period. Multiply that times 67 the # of counties in our state, then by 50 for entire country. We have got to figure out a better way to take care of God's creatures, and it starts w/spaying and neutering all pets. =^.^= KeGoS!yo (07/29/2009)
By Judy
Please don't breed your dog. Even if you find good homes for all of the puppies, that means that those homes will not be available for dogs who may be put to death without them. (07/29/2009)
By Ann Lopez
If you love Bernese Mountain Dogs please please do not breed your female. I know the lure of seeing the adorable puppies is strong. Before you decide to breed look online at your breed rescue groups. Most have heart breaking stories and the dogs are innocent victims. Better to become a foster home for your favorite breed. Please be a life saver not a life ender. (07/29/2009)
Don't breed your dog. Shelters are overflowing with every type of dog there is. I work with lots of rescue groups and it is heartbreaking that all these dogs are dying because there are too many being taken to shelters. (07/30/2009)
By Sharon Ott
I agree. Unless you are a breeder, please do not breed your dog. Good breeders breed out health problems and you don't know what you will end up with or someone else who buys the pup will end up with. It's just not fair to the puppies. I have a chihuahua who was rescued from a puppy mill at a very very young age. She has had 2 knee surgeries due to bad breeding. She's not a well dog. (08/07/2009)
