What do YOU say when someone tells you they're gonna breed?

[KenyiGirl]

I was in the vet's office today, getting Molly's stitches taken out from her spay. There was a lady there with a doxie/pom mix puppy. She told the receptionist that she had gotten her from a breeder with something like 30 dogs :yikes: poms, doxies, yorkies, and poodles The lady with the puppy sounded like she dissaproved.
She asked me how old Molly was, so I told her and I told her why Molly was there. To which she replied that she wasn't getting her puppy spayed until she's had a few litters. I was shocked and just said oh and turned my attention back to Molly. All I could think is why? Your dog is a mutt. Aren't there enough dogs without homes?
So, what do you say when someone blatantly tells you they're gonna breed their dog?

 

[Angel Chicken]

I try my best to get them to change their mind.

It doesn't work though. Of all the people I have told this to... ONE had their dog fixed. Hell, my mom has a certificate for a free spay for her dog, and she still let her get tied to another dog. Guess who has puppies now?

 

[Lizmo]

Usually nothing. I know, I'm bad about not saying much more than "Oh really?". But the people telling me are usually friends - not best friends though - and it's hard. . .do I not say anything, or risk ruining my relationship with that person and making it weird for us since I see these people atleast once a week for long periods of time.

<sigh>


If someone asks me over the internet OR it's one of my close friends, I will say something. Or if it's a complete stranger that I'm talking to in person I will say something.

 

[smkie]

I would hope i would start with the dangers to her little dog. THe cost and time consuming work that puppies require. ANd if they were still around i could slide into what would happen if they couldn't rehome, and why shelters are overloaded with mixed dogs. BUt it probably wouldn't make a bit of difference.

 

[bubbatd]

Most people like that are only thinking about $$$ . They don't do health tests and don't spend the $$ to produce a healthy litter . In another words another BYB and more pups at the HS .

 

[Cheetah]

From the other forum I'm on (so I don't have to type it again lol I'm lazy):

I usually drop a comment about why I fixed my guys (overpopulation, my experience working at the shelter and watching little puppies die, heats and puppies being a PITA, etc. I just pick one) Sometimes they do change their minds on their own if I do this. I know I can't really lecture them on it, because that will usually irk people, and just make them want to do it more, because I told them they shouldn't (human nature lol). But sometimes if I use my own experiences as a reason, we end up seeing eye to eye.

 

[4dogs3cats]

I ran into a girl at my dog park who has 8 rescue dogs. They rescue them from the pound and the HS.

She was so excited that a lady gave her her australian shepherd because she was going out of town and needed to rehome him. That was her excuse! Anyway, she said "Im so excited I have been waiting FOREVER for a breeding pair."

Now for all we know these dogs could have great lines, but probably not. And she just happened to come across this dog, most good breeders dont breed just any dog they come across.

I was shocked that she had 8 rescued dogs, all with microchips, all well taken care of, all well trained, and now she is breeding.

I usually dont say anything bc those that want to breed already have their mind set. I WILL however say something to someone who doesnt have a dog yet, or wants to get one to breed, THEN I explain why its not a good idea. But if theyve got the dogs already, theres not much changing their minds

 

[lizzybeth727]

I would start talking about why I can't breed a litter with my dog - time, expense, health testing, health risks, etc. - and hope that some of it sticks in with that person as well.

 

[SmexyPibble]

Last time I said something to my friend about breeding her Mini Aussie mix with extreme behavioral issues she replied:
"It's our dog, so don't worry about it".
Ruined friendship.

 

[Maxy24]

I have never had to do this but I might say something like (complete lie): Our last dog was not spayed until she was three, the bleeding all over the place just got too disgusting so we fixed her. Or
My aunt tried to breed her dog but a puppy got stuck and she died. It happens a lot in small dogs (assuming the person you are talking to has a small dog).
You can probably think of other drawbacks to breeding, use them and turn them into personal experiences.

If the person is someone who you really think is a good well meaning person you could always try: Oh you are, have you had her screened for Luxating patella yet? (or if it's a large dog, hip dysplasia). When she says no you can say "Well you don't want to risk her passing it onto the puppies do you? It can cripple them by the time their 5 and it usually doesn't show up until their 3, that's why you need to get them X-Rayed for it before they are bred" (Again lie a little or a lot if you have to). whatever you do don't make them defensive by telling them they shouldn't do it, it's bad, their bad people etc.

 

[Fran101]

When its strangers I always do, If not.. I try to be helpful. I let them know of the expenses, but if they have their mind sets, i help them with what they will need, how long is gestation, what to expect ect.. I hope atleast doing that ensures a safe mom/litter
I also tell them about contracts and ways to make sure the pups find great permanent homes

 

[noodlerubyallie]

There's an acquaintance at work that brought home a Vizsla puppy and had already decided that she was going to breed said puppy "when she's old enough." She keeps asking other employees if they want a puppy, oh they'll be so cute and well-behaved, etc.

She found out from her sister that I'm pretty passionate about dogs so she used to come over to my cube to show me pics. I mentioned a few downfalls of breeding, especially when you buy a less than quality dog (like she did.) Her sister was also looking for a dog, and I made sure that she knew that I would help her find a GOOD breeder, one with the correct health and temperament testing. I gave her a whole list of things to avoid in a breeder. I was hoping that her twin would notice the list of things to AVOID in a breeder.

She still talks about the breeding and puppies. So I generally keep my opinion to myself since I work in the same department and have to see her everyday.

 

[adojrts]

I usually just tell them about my disastrous breeding that cost me nothing less than 5 grand, for 3 pups. C-section + rejection of pups + lost wages from work to care for pups............and so on. Of course also telling them that I compete and breed my dogs, therefore not a total novice either, like they are............ Hopefully it scares the hell out of them.

One doesn't even need to go into what it is to be a good breeder etc, just hit them with cold hard numbers and tell them they'll need at least $1500 -$2,000 on hand just to cover vet bills if things go wrong.

Oh and to top it off, a good dose of how hard it is to find homes for puppies and how people that claim to want one.........until the puppies arrive or payment is needed etc.

 

[aussiemyf7]

In that exact situation I would say;
Oh how come?
Then depending on their reply, I would try to make them really think about why they wanna breed.

On this forum, if someone said they wanted to breed.
I would ask them why they want to breed, how they are improoving the breed, are they ok with taking homes from dogs from a shelter, are your dogs health checked.
I am a strong beliver of the only breeders to be the pro ones.
They dont have to be purebred, I love mutts, but I want it done responsibly.

 

[ihartgonzo]

I speak my mind. I try to do so in the calmest, friendliest, most unobtrusive manner possible... sometimes I fail at that, when trying to reason with complete ignoramuses.

Saying something, even if it has zero affect on that person, still makes a difference. Maybe some one else will overhear your conversation and it will make them think twice. Maybe that person will feel even a teensy bit more hesitant to breed, and will actually do some research. You never know!!! Trying is better than turning the other cheek.

 

[FoxyWench]

the first thing i ask is "why"
then ill make a comment about "well its a good job your planning on doing this from an early age, gives you plenty of time to save up the money for health testing, at least $2000 in emergency money in case thigns go wrong, plus the money for xrays before hand, and supplies, a whelping box, plus put in for the time off work and save up the money for the shots, dewclaws/tail (if nessicary) oh and prepare fo about 3 tonnes of puppy poop a day.

generally when you speak numbers youll get 1 of 2 responces...a horrified look at the cost of breeding and them deciding not to...or delusional people who insist "it wont happen to us" and do it anyway. for those people ill often try to educate what a good breeder should be doing including gentic testing and contracts to take back ANY puppy ect...

if they stay long enough to listen it does get through to some.

 

[LauraLeigh]

I usually just tell them about my disastrous breeding that cost me nothing less than 5 grand, for 3 pups. C-section + rejection of pups + lost wages from work to care for pups............and so on. Of course also telling them that I compete and breed my dogs, therefore not a total novice either, like they are............ Hopefully it scares the hell out of them.

One doesn't even need to go into what it is to be a good breeder etc, just hit them with cold hard numbers and tell them they'll need at least $1500 -$2,000 on hand just to cover vet bills if things go wrong.

Oh and to top it off, a good dose of how hard it is to find homes for puppies and how people that claim to want one.........until the puppies arrive or payment is needed etc.

This, and I usually rip off Ado's story even... LOL

I also find using this type of approach does not put them on the defense, and makes them feel a bit like they are being confided in, rather than preached to.

 

[blackmaskrott]

I am sitting on an email right now from a friend of a friend who is interested in breeding their rotties. Of course, "They are absolutely gorgeous..." and they've "wanted to breed for years..." and would I come and see their dogs and tell them what I think. The email goes on to saying that they got these dogs from Cultas Mt. Rottweilers, a KNOWN Puppy Mill, worded very proudly as if this is a good thing.

I have information, both personal knowledge, as I've actually visited this PM posing as a buyer, and "unoficial" law enforcement information, given to me by one of my puppy buyers who's husband is in law enforcement in the county where this kennel is, that I would love to tell these people.

I would also like to educate them to the proper COE for the Rottweiler breed. The do's and don't's etc.

My delima is, I don't know these people, but I truly believe they really love their dogs and their intentions are good. They really just need to be educated. But how do you do this without sounding like a snobby show person.

I know when I first started showing my dogs, this is how I perceived most all of the show people that I met. Just unbelievable snobs. Now that I've been in the scene for awhile I can see that it is not intentional snobbery, but those "show people" have done that been there and now speak from a perpective of knowing the RIGHT and WRONG.

I would like to help these people and mentor them into the right direction and I certainly don't want to insult them, but I feel that I have to be honest. Well, I haven't responded yet, but I think a phone call would better suit the situation.

 

[release the hounds]

I used to say a lot more, none of it ever worked. When they're intent on breeding they're going to. Now I usually just oh yeah, have you bred litters before and it's usually always "NO" and I just say good luck and i bet you won't ever do it again. Then they usually ask why I say that. I just tell them, they'll find out soon enough. Some ask if I breed to which I reply, not a chance, it's too much work and I have no trouble finding the dogs I like.

It works about as good as anything. Most still breed, but i've had a couple come back and tell me I was right and they're dog is now spayed and they'll never have another litter again.

That doesn't mean I don't take more time with those that are asking honest and sincere questions, but those that have made up their mind to breed aren't listening to you, and I don't like to waste my time on them.