Dog Savvies’ Pet Peeves

Probably the topics that I usually see spark up the most heated discussions are those that include: designer breeds, Cesar Millan, Pit bulls, and wolf dogs… but none of these come close to the flaming that any topic regarding dog breeding can generate (although Cesar Millan issues come close…).

The typical responses to people that come to forums to ask advice about their pregnant dog, wanting to breed their dog, or breeding in general include but are not limited to:

“Get your dog fixed”
“You know how many dogs are dying in shelters?”
“You’re a backyard breeder”
“If you have to ask you shouldn’t be breeding”
And of course…. “Don’t feed the troll!”

In my own person opinion I agree and think that people that say those things have every reason to. After all it is true that you do your dog a huge favor by fixing them if you aren’t breeding them, definitely true that hundreds of dogs die each week in shelters for lack of homes, by all technical definition these are BYB’s, and obviously someone that has to ask such elementary questions isn’t ready to take up breeding but…. Is this any way to answer someone that is asking a question?

Although I will admit there are those who have absolutely nothing to do in their lame lives but join up to dog forums and pester the member’s with questions about breeding just to spark up trouble (these are the trolls), but what if a person asking that is sincere in their question and they get answers like that?

It was once brought to everyone’s attention (at a forum) that if people get responses like that they are less likely to listen or change their ways. They might even think of us as extremist (think PETA….that would most definitely not be good).

So what would be a better alternative? One that would let them know that they most likely aren’t ready for breeding dogs but also that doesn’t offend them or make us seem like extremist? There are many people that have realized the problem with the answers above and their responses usually include:

-First and foremost an answer to the specific question asked (no matter how dumb)
-Bringing up how much money it might take to raise the pups
-Make the person understand about Health certificates and their importance
-Clear up any misconceptions/myths in a polite manner
-Links to breed clubs/reputable breeders
-Bring up the point about there being too many dogs in shelters and the possibility that the pups might end up there too.
-Mention the benefits of altering
-Describe what reputable breeders do different
-Never adds sarcastic, condescending, or rude remarks

That being said, no matter how passionate we feel about this topic, we won’t do anyone any good by being rude to people that ask about breeding, quite the opposite really… It’d be a good idea to try these ‘good’ responses out and see how the person asking the question reacts…we never know!

I know that this really IS a topic many are passionate about so maybe you have a differing opinion? If so let me know either in the comments below or at my dog forum!

Until later,