Don't know what is responsible anymore
My problem is I really don't know what breeding practices are ok anymore . I've read and researched and listened to mentors. I can rattle off applicable health tests for the breeds I like, breed faults, which puppy temperament tests I want to see, weak sport structure, etc but I have discovered I really no longer know what is an ethical, moral breeding I would feel good about financially supporting.
A very intelligent, highly educated, and competitive colleague tells me she's getting that much anticipated second dog: a BC puppy from Dreams Come True Kennels (made that up ). I am excited for her. She researches everything. I go home and research the kennel 'cause it must be a good breeder.
So where do we go for a puppy? The sport miller? The sport byb? The confo breeder? Or...???
BostonBanker, I'm also a weekend warrior 9-5er . I think that is the majority of the sport market. Should those puppies not work out in those homes, can they successfully be placed as 100% pets? I doubt it. So then what?
Not that I'm trying to disagree with you really, because of course everyone has a different idea as to what is okay and that's fine. Just my take on it, as someone you essentially described in your post (although I couldn't care less where my paper towels come from, as long as they aren't those annoying ones that are half-sized).
A very intelligent, highly educated, and competitive colleague tells me she's getting that much anticipated second dog: a BC puppy from Dreams Come True Kennels (made that up ). I am excited for her. She researches everything. I go home and research the kennel 'cause it must be a good breeder.
- Well....there are eight litters planned and three litters on the ground. This includes purebreds and mixes. The gospel says puppy mill!
- There over 30 adult dogs in residence. Gospel says hoarder/mill!
- Some of the breedings have an outside stud or bitch and some are all resident dogs: gospel says backyard breeder!
- Most studs and bitches have a CGC, some have a couple health tests, some have a few low level sport titles, a couple outside dogs have a lot of performance titles. No CH; no one pairing has complete health tests and mid+ level performance titles. Gospel says backyard breeder.
So where do we go for a puppy? The sport miller? The sport byb? The confo breeder? Or...???
I wasn't sure if I was reading incorrectly that there was also a belief that sport bred dogs shouldn't be going to those 9-5 workers who are weekend warriors with dog sports.