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originally
written by Gayle Oxford, Oxford Ranch Australian Shepherds
Our female/male
is so cute, all our friends want a puppy just like ours!
So tell them
the name of the breeder you got your dog from. The best way to get a dog
"just like yours" is to get it from the same breeder or parents.
Also, not
all "purebred" dogs are of breeding quality, and mutts/mongrels should
NEVER be bred. The animal shelters are full of unwanted purebreds and
mutts which could not be sold or placed, and therefore face the real possibility
of euthanization. In addition, the majority of "shelter dogs" aren't abused,
dangerous, or stupid. People give up their animals for all kinds of reasons.
The majority of them just need a second chance.
Every dog
should be bred at least once. It makes a better and calmer pet.
WRONG! Physically
and mentally your dog is better off altered. It will stay healthier and
live longer, not only because of the physical aspects, but an altered
animal is much less prone to wander, having less of a chance of being
hit by a car, picked up by animal control officers (it costs $ to bail
out your dog), or shot by a farmer for killing his stock.
Our kids
want/need to experience the miracle of birth.
Then take
your kids to the county animal shelter to see what this "miracle" can
lead to. Show them where these unwanted and surplus pets end up. MILLIONS
of unwanted dogs and cats are destroyed every year, because people didn't
use the miracle of birth control on their pets. There are also the issues
of complications during birth - stillbirths or being born with deformaties.
Please - buy a book, rent a video, or check the Internet / World Wide
Web for information on the subject of birth, for your kids.
We want to
make some money back on the purchase of our dog.
Most responsible
breeders do not make a profit on breeding and selling quality puppies.
There is a saying among reputable breeders that says "If you are making
money selling puppies, you're doing something wrong".
Why? Because
to produce a healthy, sound litter of puppies from good breeding stock,
it takes a lot of planning, time and expense. If you are to become a responsible
breeder, you should be willing to take the responsibility for the welfare
of each and every puppy produced and sold, for the rest of it's life.
This means that any time the buyer of your pup cannot get along with it
or can no longer keep it, you will be willing to take it back for resale,
or find it another home. This is to ensure that the puppies that YOU are
producing, will NEVER end up in the animal shelter or abandoned.
OH, but you
just want to have a litter of "pet" puppies.
Pet dogs
should always be of the soundest mind and body. Nobody wants a pet that
will develop a hereditary disorder that it may die from, or that will
cause it to live in pain it's whole life. A pet should have the soundest
temperament. No one deserves to live with an aggressive or "problem dog".
Consider the liability issues also.
Breeding
quality dogs of good health and mind is no accident or luck. It is not
an easy business, but it can be rewarding if you choose to do it responsibly.
If you want to breed your dog, discuss it with your vet, and the breeder
you bought your pet from, or a person knowledgeable in your breed of dogs.
You should want to breed puppies for the betterment and the improvement
of the breed, but most of all, for the joy that a well bred dog can bring
to a family.
Please consider
spaying/neutering your animal. Better for their health, easier on you
- it's a great thing.
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