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This coming week I’ll be spaying three dogs whose owner has historically been reluctant to submit her pets to the “barbarity of unnecessary abdominal surgery.” It seems that after searching in vain for the ideal baby-daddy for her three poorly bred bitches she’d finally grown sick of the blood on the fine carpets and high-priced linens.
This is what I’m up against…
It’s like a bad Cinderella remake with the dogs sharing the lead and the evil stepmother playing herself.
So why are people still so clueless when it comes to canine motherhood? Don’t all the sad pictures of the pets at the pound do a good enough job? If not, don’t you think the caged animals up for adoption at your local big box pet retailer would make the point just as well?
Although “spay and neuter your pets” has become the mantra of modern suburban petkeeping, the sentiment hasn’t exactly made its way across the US uniformly. Pockets of ignorance, greed and confusion mar the landscape for those of us engaged in the Sisyphean task of curbing pet overpopulation.
Of course, you don’t have to spay and neuter your pets to be responsible pet owners. Avoidance of reproductive situations, tubal ligation and vasectomy are all acceptable (though the latter two seldom undertaken).
And if you do venture forth into the brave world of pet reproduction , you MUST do so responsibly (i.e., perfect physical specimens, ideal health status, proven competitors and knowledgeable owners with financial and professional resources). By my definition, that means only a tiny fraction of pet owners get a pass on the breeding of their pets.
As we all know, this ideal is far from the reality of pet breeding as we know it. So we spend hours every day either explaining these things to our clients, spaying and neutering pets at a reduced cost, performing last minute C-sections, or writing about it…
To this last point, today’s Miami Herald offers a Mother’s Day special pet column (by yours truly). Here’s it is. I can only hope it helps avert more misery.
Mother’s Day goes to the dogs…
It’s Mother’s Day and aside from the fact that I relish the attention—as any woman who has borne a child might—I believe it’s an excellent opportunity to discuss the maternity of our pets.
Both dogs and cats are often pressed into maternal service by their owners either by neglect of their alteration (spaying) or as a result the express intent to see these pets procreate.
Most of you will be familiar with the arguments we vets present against your failing to spay and neuter your pets (for the sake of severe overpopulation among our domesticated canine and feline companions), but what of the breeding of the full-blooded, pedigreed purebreds in our midst?
In my experience, even the most well-educated, otherwise responsible owners will often elect to take on the task of breeding their pets for a variety of reasons. Among these, the following sentiments prevail:
1-My pet is a perfect example of her type. I hope for others to enjoy the same—and to create another just like her.
2-I hope to see my children experience the miracle of life.
3-Pets deserve the healthy opportunity to procreate.
4-I hope to sell the offspring.
And yet, mothering in pets is fraught with at least as much peril as it is in humans. Medical conditions must be considered carefully. Cesarean section births are both costly and chancy for the pet in question (and required in certain breeds).
Maternal instincts are, moreover, not assured. Many pets find nothing objectionable in eating their young, for example. Raising a litter of surviving pups in the wake of such common disasters is no mean feat.
It’s my experience that most pet owners venturing a foray into pet breeding are poorly equipped to take on the responsibility. It’s a commitment that requires education and professional attention not often made readily available to most pet owners. (When was the last time you heard of pre-natal counseling for expectant moms of the canine or feline persuasion?)
And yet, most pet owners assume that animal maternity is a sure thing, nature being a compassionate mother, herself.
But sadly, it’s not always so. Tragedy lurks, especially when adequate preparation is hindered by our busy lives. That’s why, as in most things complex and delicate, pet procreation is best left to the experts, those with the dedication and resources to see complications resolved professionally.
While, personally, I can’t say enough for motherhood, it’s clear to me that very few pets and owners are up to the task. Consider not only the risk to your pet’s health, but your own limitations as well. Pet breeding is not for the faint of heart.
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As many "easy" whelpings for the first-timer are equally matched for the disasters and heartbreak for others. Dead pups, dead dams (mothers), surgery, sickness, no homes, huge financial expense, defective offspring---all have to be anticipated, regardless of the best intentions, health screenings, and advance preparation.
LOTS of work, time, effort, and MONEY----never think this is a "break even" or make money proposition or "hobby".
Responsibilty of placements are life-long. Be prepared for those heart-wrenching sad calls for advice (and even anger) for the pet's incurable illness & impending death. Never make a judgment of placement on one's financial resources----ask lots of questions, and still anticipate the unknown.
Well yes, even if the breeder has done all their homework and is using only physically healthy animals with health clearances a yard long.
Nature provides canids and felids with litters of multiple offspring to up the odds of some of them being genetically compatible with the enviroment and circumstances into which they are born. Birth defects may occur in any species, human or non-animal, purebred or otherwise. While certain specific genetic conditions may be more likely in a given breed, problems may arise in any birth. No human OB or fertility expert will guarrantee a perfectly healthy baby from before the moment of conception, no pediatrician will promise a new mom that their baby will never need glasses, be free of asthma or allergies etc..
The true test of a responsible breeder and their dedication to their dogs comes when things do not turn out as planned. when one is faced with a newborn or even and 8 or 12 week old who is revealed to have a congenital defect or disease. (I say congenital as not all defects or deformations are in fact genetic in origin).
The responsible person will consult with their vet, weigh the options and make the best choice for the puppy, not for their convienence or pocket book. That may mean tears and grief and euthanasia if the puppy is suffering with out hope. It may mean expensive tests and procedures to ensure a proper diagnosis. It may mean keeping and giving your heart to special dog who you know will need special attention and may leave too soon.
I have done all the above over the past twenty years. Mercifully incidents have been few and far between. I also volunteer for two breed rescues and we get the ill or genetically damaged puppies of the brokers and pet stores and casual or inexperienced people taken by surprise that nature might deal from the bottom of the deck and who are unwilling or unable to deal with the consequences.
But the fact is that no matter how much care goes into a litter, nature can slap us with an unwelcome surprise. The journey from fertilized egg to adult animal is long and not always predictable. Breeding is NOT for the faint of heart but without careful breeding we would lose or companions, our working and service animals and so many wonderful lines of domestic pets and animals
My fiance's parents and aunts all have Dachshunds. In addition to several rescues and a few pets (all fixed), they also have a few dogs that are shown and carefully bred under the close guidance of veterinarians and more experienced, trusted, and reputable breeders. One aunt had a litter of puppies from a bitch who's already produced one healthy litter, and there was no indication of risk from the sire either, but nevertheless one of the puppies is blind.
I have not been told whether they have determined the exact cause or any more details, but this could not have been foreseen. They are careful to breed responsibly by choosing a genetically diverse pair, they breed rarely and only within their means, and the dams have attentive prenatal care. It's a possibility you have to be prepared for with any litter - including a human's, incidentally. And because they are responsible individuals who put a lot of thought and care into the breeding decision, I can guarantee you that the puppy will have the care it needs, whether from them or a home willing to take a special-needs dog. It's the only responsible thing to do.
Thankfully they had another cat that recently had kittens and she took right to them. -- I don't think I used the best of judgment, but at the same time that's 2 less kittens populating in another six months creating more feral kittens.
After my Labrador ( rescue) was diagnosed with Addison's Disease I decided to track down the breeder to let them know about the Addison's so they could inform his litter mates owners and (hopefully) remove the parents from their breeding program as they would both be carriers. The response I got was, they threatened to sue me if I told anyone that my dog had Addison's and came from them. They had already lost a pup in another litter so they knew all about it.
It's sad to keep passing this disease on, on purpose.
"Defective" refers to a birth defect - and that is a widely accepted term in the medical community. It doesn't have anything to do with regarding the progeny as some sort of widget on a production line.
Breeders do engage in the purposeful procreation of new animals. And the good ones attempt to concentrate and marshall the genes that will produce superior examples of their breed or type, superior working or service animals and loving, healthy companions. It costs a lot of money, and a lot of emotional currency too.
Yes, I sell those puppies who do not fit into the breeding program I have been working on for two decades. The best may go to other serious breeders or exhibitors, provided they are ALSO excellent pet homes. Those who are not quite up to snuff in terms of their potential will go to excellent homes where their appearance or working or show potential is not a concern. And they go out on spay/neuter agreements, to carefully screened homes with a guarantee and a requirement that they will be returned to me if they cannot be kept.
All dogs alive today, purebred or mutts, are the result of purposeful breeding and human selection. Wolves do not generally make good pets! Even a street dog or accidental mixed breed has generations of domestic breeding behind him.
And yes, of course, some dog breeders view their dogs as commodities. They are the puppy millers, the brokers, the make a buck and move on folks.
but too often nowadays ALL breeders are painted with the same brush. Those who wish all breeding to stop use this tactic. They serve up the idea that the very act and idea of breeding an animal is somehow base and dirty and morally wrong.
But in the end, no breeding being acceptable no matter what the reason really does mean no more pets.
I generally would not be posting on a Sunday night. I have too much to do at home with kids and pets and husband and the like.
But I am sitting here trying to occupy my mind waiting to hear from the emergency clinic where my 7 year old girl has been since last night. Every test, film, ultrasound has been inconclusive but she is terribly sick. I have already spent a small fortune with no end in site and no guarantee she will make it to the internist in the morning. A blown cruciate ended her career as a mother or a show dog long ago. She is the "defective offspring" of one of my dogs. She is a product of my efforts and I love her dearly. It's not quite the mothers day I was hoping for but we do what we have to and good breeders and good owners and good mothers all take responsibility for the lives in their care for better or worse.
So my question is, do these breeders' groups take things like this seriously, or do they generally defend the breeder?
My intention of my post is to really have the "prospective" breeders of the world question their motivations, ask themselves if they have the "heart" (and stomach) , that it takes to be responsible and ethical , and prepared to face the cruelties of nature.
If I had the foresight 20 years ago, to know my human family responsibities, I might not have chosen the path of breeding. I can state without question that financially I would be mortgage free, have gone on a few nice vacations, and perhaps drive a late model car.
And just MAYBE, I wouldn't have been cruelly scammed and hurt by a group of bad veterinary "professionals".
Ashleigh have you considered doing TNR?
I filed a complaint with the BBB here in NS. Thanks for the tip.
I'm NOT saying this to defend what sounds like a completely irresponsible breeder but so that people realize that beyond just not breeding affected dogs for a highly visible problem, responsible breeding means weighing hte risks. The line I have purchased two collies from is pretty prone to CEA- one of my dogs is a carrier (the one who is remaining intact and being shown- highly unlikely he'll be bred, but it IS theoretically possible) but his half-sister, who is being spayed, is mildly affected. It doesn't impair her functional vision, she's an excellent working prospect, and the family history of long-lived, healthy dogs who are unaffected by PRA (which we have JUST gotten a DNA test for, woo!), HD, thyroid disease, bloat, and epilepsy- means that sometimes you choose the devil you know rather than the one you don't. The most important thing is honesty- breeders who choose to make these decisions need to be honest with buyers about WHY they choose what they did. Mal's breeder was, and I'd recommend her to someone in a second.
It's too early to make decisions about breeding her. To do that, we're apparently supposed to have a championship, some kind of working title, and OFA and CERF screening. Since her breed is susceptible to cancer, I'd also want to consider her parents' health. If all goes well, I thought I'd talk with her breeder and some other knowledgeable people and see what they thought. Her breeder is a vet who's been involved with the breed for over 20 years. If they recommend breeding her, I'll think about it, but I don't want her to have a lot of litters. After that's done, or if it looks like she shouldn't be bred, I'll probably have her spayed to reduce the risk of pyometra, mammary tumors, and unplanned pregnancies.