[Corfield]

It is all very well people saying they are breeding to help the breed but what does this actually mean and who is to say who and what is helping the breed and what isn't ?

Breeders I come across are not some superhuman class, they reflect the general population. That is a general population that is largely scientifically illiterate, educationally average and subject to all the usual human biases and illogical thinking.

It isn't the responsibility of puppy buyers to sort out unethical breeders or those with superiority complexes and other issues.

As a buyer you have a responsibility to do the best you can to discourage people from cruel practices by reporting those breaking the law and not buying from them.

That goes as much for the back yard breeder as it does for the stuck up ignorant aloof breeder that thinks it is ok to pursue their hobby and churn out lots of puppies that whilst not good enough for them are good enough for other people because they are well.."helping the breed" etc....

As a buyer, if you buy a pedigree dog that is registered with your countries premier kennel club as a pedigree dog, you are doing more than enough to help the breed.

What does it matter to you if your dog has some champions in its background if you are not going to show them ? Sure it may be an indication of a certain quality but that's about it and there are plenty of other things that are far more important when picking a family pet.

It is extremely easy for someone to fake a dogs pedigree too.