WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOU BREED YOUR PET.

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To breed or not to breed is a very serious decision affecting a breeder, the pet, and the community at large. It not a decision to be made lightly.

Here are questions that should be considered: Is the animal purebred and registered with a national registry? Where did it come from? Does it have a good nature, stable temperament, and sound structure? Is it healthy?

IS THE ANIMAL PUREBRED AND REGISTERED WITH A NATIONAL REGISTRY? Although some people do not care whether an animal is purebred or not, most people prefer purebred pets. Each year unwanted animals (estimates run in the millions) are killed in shelters. Most of them (estimates usually run at more than 80%) are of mixed or unknown parentage.

Unregistered animals should not be bred. Although this may sound like discrimination, it is the foundation of good breeding practices. Good breeding also means that even having a registered purebred is not justification for breeding. It is irresponsible to animals and to prospective owners to breed animal just because they are registered.

Animals were domesticated and are bred for companionship, food, product or protection. Within a species, for instance dogs, types were developed for particular purposes. These types are know as "breeds." Each breed has "breed standard." Standards set out what the "perfect" specimen of a breed should be, including traits like height, weight, head and body shape, tail length, ear set, color and, at times, personality traits.

Determining that an animal "meets the standard" and is worthy of breeding is not as easy as it might first appear. Anyone can look a book about their breed and probably find pictures of animals that they "believe" look exactly like their animal. Unfortunately, it is not that simple.

Standards set out traits that may not be visible to the naked eye. They may describe these traits in terms an amateur may not understand. (They may describe a "gray" colored animal as "blue" or "violet," this makes it impossible for someone unfamiliar with the terms to decide even a particular coat color is acceptable.) The Dog Fancy uses terms like "reach" and "layback" to describe aspects of a dog's structure and movement. It is important to understand these terms and their importance to the structural soundness of a dog. Unfamiliarity with the meaning and importance of such terms is a clear indication that a breeder does not know what he needs to know to be a good breeder.

Why is a breed "standard" is so important? Consider your favorite breed, what makes it your favorite? More than likely, it is breed characteristics. (To illustrate, think about the German Shepherd. Everyone has seen "Shepherds" that are either very large or very small, some look like Rin Tin Tin and some are very difficult to tell from mixed strays, some are "white" shepherds. These dogs do not meet the breed "standard" for Shepherds.)

Taken to the extreme, breeders can breed Shepherds that do not look like Shepherds even though "technically" they are purebred and can be registered! The bottom line is that if one likes a breed enough to own it, much less breed it, one should realize the importance of the breed standard to the characteristics of the breed. Breeding, without conforming to the standard, ignores the very qualities that make a breed a particular breed and not just a mix.

There is only one way to determine if a specimen meets the standard. That specimen must be examined by unbiased and objective individuals, knowledgeable about the traits of the breed, and experts at determining whether or not individual specimens meet that standard. There is only one way to accomplish that and it is to show an animal in competition.

In competition an animal goes before judges trained to examine animals and determine whether the animal meets the standard. Assuming an animal becomes a champion, it probably has a "phenotype" worthy of breeding. Phenotype, simply put, is what the genes of an animal cause it to look like. Genotype is what the genes of an animal are. This can be a little confusing. The important thing to remember is that just because the phenotype meets the standard, it does not mean that the genotype for that animal meets the standard. Both have to work together for an animal to be worth breeding.

REGISTRIES: Most domesticated species have a registry to keep track of pedigrees on animals. It is important to remember that anyone can start a registry today and that just because an animal is registered does not mean that is registered with a recognized, reputable registry. Quality registries are nationally recognized, host competition events on a regular basis, and police the pedigrees registered with them. (This means if someone tries to register an animal that is not the progeny of already registered animals, or by fakery, misrepresentation or fraud tries to register an animal, the papers will not be given or will be voided. IT IS NOT AN ASSURANCE OF QUALITY IN THE ANIMAL ITSELF.) There are two reputable national dog registries, the American Kennel Club and the United Kennel Club. There are also reputable national cat registries, like Cat Fanciers of America. Responsible breeders are members of local or national breed clubs.

WHERE DID THE ANIMAL COME FROM? Did the animal come from a pet store, from a "backyard" breeder, from off the streets, or from an animal shelter? Although an animal may look purebred, without papers, it is not considered one. Researching the animal's genetic lineage without registration papers is impossible and, even if you have papers, can be extremely difficult unless the breeder of your animal was responsible. Generally, animals from pet stores are sold strictly on the basis of profit and without any consideration being given to the prospective home of the animal. This leaves little room for responsible breeding or placement.

DID YOU KNOW THAT BREEDING CAN BE HAZARDOUS TO THE HEALTH OF YOUR ANIMAL AND THAT SPAYING OR NEUTERING YOUR PET CAN HELP IT LIVE A LONGER, HEALTHIER LIFE? Breeding, although "natural," can cause death or illness. Selective breeding, over the years, has changed some breeds so much that their offspring cannot be born without veterinary medical assistance. In addition, animals may contract or spread serious diseases as a result of mating or birthing. Diseases like herpes, brucellosis, or mange. Moreover, each breed has numerous genetic defects and diseases common to it. Diseases like cataracts, deafness, diabetes, dysplasia, epilepsy, heart defects, hypothyroidism, immune deficiency, narcolepsy and pancreatitis to name but a few. Has your animal been certified free of such defects and diseases?

Choosing to spay or neuter a pet, especially before the first heat cycle, has been shown to reduce the risk of certain forms of cancer and prevent other health problems, to reduce SOME unwanted behaviors, and to reduce male dominance aggression. No animal that is not a part of a responsible breeding program should be bred and WE RECOMMEND THAT ALL PET QUALITY ANIMALS BE SPAYED OR NEUTERED.

DID YOU KNOW YOU CAN BE HELD LIABLE FOR THE QUALITY OF ANIMAL YOU BREED AND SELL? This may be limited to the cost of the animal. However, increasingly, courts award costs to treat an animal for genetic diseases and punitive damages for the pain and suffering endured by the owner of the animal. Court costs, attorney fees and monetary awards can turn a bad breeding decision into a financial nightmare!

SO, YOU THINK BREEDING IS PROFITABLE? Not if it is done right and more and more buyers are demanding that it be done the right way - responsibly. Evaluating breeding stock is expensive. Add food, medical care, stud fees, vaccinations, worming, and other costs, and the expenses can be staggering!

Responsible breeders make a lifetime commitment to the animals they breed. They take an animal back if, for any reason, the new owner no longer wants it. They do this even when the new owner has ruined the animal's temperament and made it unsuitable as a pet. Even the possibility of having to take back an animal with behavioral problems is disconcerting to anyone who knows how difficult some of these animals can be. It adds insults to injury when you have to take an animal back because of an irresponsible owner; however, responsible bleeders are willing to make that extra commitment.

HAVE YOU CONSIDERED YOUR RIGHT TO OWN ANIMALS? Each year, all over America, legislation is proposed, and sometimes enacted, that restricts your right to own animals. Two types, breeding bans and limit laws, makes it illegal and/or prohibitively expensive to breed. When such legislation does permit breeding, the costs can be staggering, with permits costing as much as $600 or more per breeding. Although breeding actually bears little relation to why animals are in shelters, the number of animals killed in shelters is frequently used to justify this type of legislation. Do your part to preserve your right to own by spaying or neutering all pet quality animals.

We encourage you to contact breed clubs, rescue organizations and veterinarians to learn all possible consequences of breeding. Each should be willing to provide you with a different perspective concerning breeding.  Finally, if you are still considering breeding, we also encourage you to check out the breeding resources available on our website so you can make an informed decision and/or learn the basics that you will need to know should you decide to breed your pet.