I love this!
The following is by Dr. Sophia Kaluzniacki, and is reprinted with her
permission
10 Rules of Ethical Breeding
The only reason to be breeding purebred dogs is to preserve the best
qualities of the breed. Breeding to supply any market is not a
justification.
You need to do all of your breeding with the best interests of the breed in
mind. Never your pocket book.
For this you need to be a serious student of the breed and devote years of
your life to it. No "in one day, out the other".
As a beginner you need to engross yourself in the breed as much as possible
and ideally find a suitable mentor.
In order to be a serious breeder, you must show and compete.
You need to keep track of all puppies you produce, whether pet or show, to
know how your breeding program is working.
All pet dogs need to go on a spay/neuter contract.
All show puppies need to go on a contract that will not allow breeding
unless the dog lives up to the quality intended and passes all health checks
and certification necessary for that breed. If a prospective breeder does
not want to do this, then I am sorry but they will have to mess with someone
else's dogs not mine!!
Co-ownerships allow you a certain amount of control in this regard because
they require your signature in order that puppies be registered. The latest
news from the AKC is that there is a pending change to the rules that will
not allow registration unless all papers are properly signed. If you have a
difference with your co-owner it will need to be settled in court before the
AKC will register litters or puppies. This is new and still pending, but a
step in the right direction.
Every breeder owes to the breed and to themselves to be involved with
rescue.
Every breeder should be prepared to take any dog back for whatever reason.
If they do not have the space, then they need to be prepared to make other
arrangements. But take back they must!
In my ideal world one could not sell dogs. They would only be able to be
given as cherished gifts to deserving individuals. This would eliminate the
whole pet mill and back-yard breeding industry as they could not make any
money. Of course since this world is not the way I envision it as regards
dogs, we have to work within the system. So I do charge for puppies and I
charge what I think is fair for the time and effort I have put into it. It
is certainly not enough to cover all of the expenses. If someone cannot or
will not pay my price then let them go somewhere else or take on a rescue.
There is nothing wrong with paying a lower price and certainly very noble to
rescue. Well I will now get off of my soap box
Dr. Sophia