KC? Forums

patp

I too was horrified though, like titchy, not surprised as I have worked in the dog world all my life. I only ever bought one pedigree dog - a German Shepherd Dog - as I had just given up work to have a baby. I did all the research and chose a responsible breeder. The bitch I bought got anal furunculosis (hereditary condition) which eats into the dogs anus. She had several ops but had to be put down because of it. I kept her son and he turned out to have inherited cryptorchidism (retained testicle) from his mother's line.
I was approached by someone very high up in the breed club and asked if I would allow him to be used at stud. I explained that he had an hereditary condition and she said "oh don't worry about that I only want a bitch from the litter anyway - I will sell the rest!!!).

There is a solution to this problem:-

1. Pass a law that states that all puppies MUST be microchipped before they leave the breeder. Nobody should ever buy an unmicrochipped puppy. This could be checked every time the dog went to the vet. (stop dog stealing too). The details of the breeder would be recorded and kept on a central register.

2. If the dog turns out to have an inherited condition the breeder is responsible for all vet fees or, if the owner chooses, has to take the dog back.

3. If the dog ever ends up in rescue the breeder would be held responsible for the dog's upkeep until it is rehomed.

In this way the breeder becomes responsible from birth to death of every puppy they breed. I guarantee that 99% of all breeders would give up the day that law was passed. That would leave us with the wondeful few who do everything in their power to improve the health and well being of their breed.

We must all write to our MPs and get something done!
Incidentally the dog magazine "DOGS TODAY" started this campaign a while ago. The editor Beverly Cuddy appeared early on in the programme.

Pat

Spacerunner

Another simple way would be for all prospective dog owners to be charged a registration fee to become an owner. Put the fee to £500 and make the seller responsible for registration and collection of the fees.
This would ensure that we all thought twice about dog ownership and breeders would have to be registered and listed as are VAT businesses, and all transactions were recorded in detail.

lindyloot

titchy

I suggest we all watch ITV 1 tonight 9.00pm, a more informative program on canine behaviour I hope.
If people continue to buy dogs for their looks rather than it's intelligence, companionship and how it will fit in to their lifestyle there will always be breeders trying to create the perfect fashion accessory.