I think it is okay to go to a reputable breeder but somewhere we have to slow down the number of litters we have every year. We have to make people do their homework before they buy or even rescue a dog. They need to understand the commitment they are making.

on the rescue shelter issue, ok, I have a family that went to a shelter to adopt a dog, they had a few young small dogs, but they will not adopt to them because they have a 5 year old and a 10 year old, they tried to make them adopt a bigger dog and they did not want a bigger dog, why can't they do something to evaluate and educate this families and try to please them? I know a trial period would be great, but NO they just turned them down, if they don't want the dog the shelter feels is apropriate for them. I had children and small dogs and they all turned out great...LOL

Rescues and shelters have to search for the best possible home for the dogs and alot of times small dogs and young children dont mix. I have seen many times on here where someone needs to rrehome a yorkie because it bite a child. Rescues and shelters are trying to avoid that

Oh and I thought I had taught my child who is 9 how to behave around pets but she just tried to pick my Chachi up once and he didnt like it and bit her.

Not everyone needs to go to a shelter or a rescue to get their puppy or dog. The thought is noble, but not realistic, and some people prefer a new healthy puppy from parent's they can actually get to know about.

Not all people who prefer new healthy puppies are ignorant to the overpopulation of dogs and inhumane things done to animals, it's just their preference and they have that right. What is not right is putting good people in a box with the terrible ones, because we don't like or have control over their choices. There are many other inhumane and horrible things in this world. I'm not saying one should turn a blind eye to anything, but all things aren't meant for all people, period.

Not everyone who breeds for a hobby is unethical or should quit breeding because of the bad practices of BYB's, puppymills, show breeders, or etc.

Breeding dogs should never be a full time job in the first place. The bitches need rest and so do the breeders.

People who choose shelters and rescues can be just as wishy washy as some people who buy new puppies.

The most important thing is to inform people of the important issues and show that there are alternatives to the process. Awareness sometimes hurts the heart and sometimes lifts the spirit. It's still their choice.

Do you know what shelter they went to because all the shelters (government) I have dealt with will adopt to anyone. Now rescues will not and the Humane Society will not because they are to many issues with children and small dogs (small dogs bite first and ask questions second)...biting being a very serious concern. Many small dogs end up with broken bones and even death because of their size...I have seen it here on YT. A large number of reputable breeders will not sell a Yorkie to a family with young children...so it is not just rescue. There is a reason for this. Do I think there can be exceptions..yes.. I do ... if the parents are commited BIG TIME to protecting the dog. Personally I think a big old lazy lab is the best dog to be raised around young kids but that is just my opinion. My brother has Bernese Mt. dogs and a pug. He has 3 lively children...guess what the pug lost its leg after being stepped on...but the kids have built forts on the Bernese...(actually they are wonderful dogs) but I grew up with Labs but could change my mind on the BMD.

I do think Yorkies will bite children when they are scared..when I was young and the labs had not been overbred you could do just about anything to those dogs and all they would do is get up and move somewhere else. I just don't see many Yorkies or small dogs doing this. I think it is the terrier in them. Of course when I was young the smallest dog I ever saw was a poodle and only single old ladies owned them..haha.

Im not against people getting dogs from breeders I just stated what I would be doing. There are way too many dogs being put to death though and buyers and breeders need to be more responsible

:thumbup: I agree and understand. I wasn't saying you were.

and you know how many little dogs are put to sleep because they don't even consider families with childeren? so is a no win situation either way, I beleive in giving everyone a fair chance.. is all about EDUCATION...

As was previously discussed, buying from show breeders with champions in their pedigrees does not guarantee quality dogs either.

If you are making a living from breeding it is not a hobby. If your dogs live in cages you are not a hobby breeder. If you have several breeds of dogs you are not a hobby breeder. If you do not take responsibility for your puppies you are not a hobby breeder.

Now I'm sure we could argue this point forever, there is a fine line. But each breeder knows which category they are in.

I would be all in favor of mandated microchipping in an effort to control the problem.

If they keep proper records for the AKC they could be in trouble if they are audited.

With hobby breeders the bigger issue is whether or not you can claim your loss against your other income. if you claim it as a hobby you cannot, if you claim it as a business than you can.

I would also be interested to know how much hobby income is claimed for any hobby.

I don't
 

breed, never want to. I have my "pets", newly spayed and am perfectly happy. So, I have no investment in this debate. My question is, if one depends on the UKC or AKC 'book' of standards for their breeding program and the 'book' is specifying standards that are detrimental to the breed then where do the ethics come into play?

I am NOT speaking necessarily to Yorkies, as I do not see a tremendous degradation of them healthwise overall in their skeletal systems, only in the mill system that is breeding them ever smaller and that is NOT in the standard. I am referring to what was hammered on in the Crufts program such as the King Cavalier and the German Shepherd which I found appalling and was defended as a written standard. If that is the written standard and as a breeder you are supposed to breed to that standard to win in the showring, than what is the alternative to being a show breeder?

I'm just asking, seriously? The program really disturbed me...

I agree it is a complicated problem. But even if people did just drop them off or turn them loose, once the dog is picked up and turned in there should be huge fines.

Just as with registering guns has not kept guns off the street, but it has made it easier to track them.

I want my dogs back if the owners can no longer keep them, it is written into my contract.

There are no easy answers, and if you convinced all the reponsible breeders to stop breeding, it would just make a better market for the bad breeders.

Education is the the only real answer.

I believe once it is known that the breed standards are deterimental to a dogs health, the AKC should no longer allow those breeds to be shown.

All of the breeds with flat faces should be stopped. Those dogs cannot even breath.

Maybe when they set those standards, they were not aware of this problem, but they are now. yet the continue to breed them.

The English Bulldog cannot even reproduce without AI and C sections. Without the aid of humans those dogs would become extinct.