Why is dog breeding necessary?

When we first started training dog breeders to become licensed, we had one goal and that was to help breeders understand their responsibility. 

This came at a time during lockdown and we were seeing a surge in puppies being sold mainly by people who had no clue about what it takes to bring a healthy litter into the world. But also, most breeders did not understand the licensing process and what it really takes to become a responsible breeder.

We began to advertise in late 2021 and did a lot of zoom calls educating potential breeders on what was required. And it’s comprehensive, for good reason!

This put a few clients off and they did not pursue the idea further, others understood and acted on the advice by increasing the size of their kennels and having policies that adhere to current standards.

That is our mission. However, a lot of adverts got some bad comments and usually they said, ‘don’t breed, get animals from shelters!!! 

Most of these comments were submitted from good people with a good heart, but one of them really annoyed us, she was importing dogs from abroad and rehoming them in the UK under the guise of charity. (There was no charity registered) and the rehoming fee was basically sale.

However, we are not here to promote breeding of shelters, quite the opposite. We set up My Licensed Breeder to make people aware of what it takes to become a responsible breeder and educate buyers on how to buy healthy animals from breeders that have nurtured and whelped the dogs ready for new families.

There are several important reasons why dog breeding continues despite the presence of many dogs in shelters:

1. 1. Preservation of Specific Breeds: Responsible breeding allows for the preservation and continuation of specific dog breeds, particularly those that might be rare or have specific traits useful for various purposes such as service, therapy, or work in specific conditions.

1. 1. Health and Temperament Control: Through careful selection and breeding practices, breeders can ensure that the dogs they produce have the healthiest possible genetic makeup. This can help minimise the incidence of inheritable diseases and promote temperaments that make dogs good companions.

1. 1. Demand for Specific Traits: Some people have specific needs or preferences for certain traits such as size, coat type, temperament, or hypoallergenic qualities that may not be readily available in shelters. Responsible breeders can cater to these specific needs.

1. 1. Supporting Responsible Pet Ownership: Breeders often provide a high level of support and follow-up care for new pet owners. This includes health guarantees, information on proper care and training, and sometimes even a commitment to take back pets if owners can no longer care for them.

1. 1. Legislative Compliance and Animal Welfare: Licensed breeders are required to meet strict regulations designed to ensure the welfare of the breeding dogs and their puppies. These regulations include health screenings, proper living conditions, and socialisation practices, which help ensure the well-being of both the breeding animals and their offspring.

While adoption from shelters is crucial and highly beneficial for many homeless dogs, responsible breeding also plays a role in the overall landscape of pet ownership and animal welfare. It’s important that both avenues exist to meet the varied needs of potential pet owners and to ensure the welfare of animals.

What are vulnerable breeds?

Vulnerable breeds refer to dog breeds that are at risk of disappearing due to their very low numbers of registered births each year. The concept is particularly prevalent in the UK, where the Kennel Club classifies certain breeds as “Vulnerable Native Breeds.” These are typically British and Irish breeds that have fewer than 300 puppies registered annually in the UK. The classification is intended to raise awareness and encourage breeding and preservation efforts to ensure these breeds do not go extinct.

Why do we need to breed with so many dogs in shelters?

Sadly, most dogs in shelters are there because their owners have not looked after them properly and most have been is distress as result. This stress can make it difficult for dogs to adapt to a new home. This is one of the reasons why most shelters will not allow you adopt a dog if you have young children.

Working dogs.

Working dogs are trained to perform specific tasks that assist humans in various capacities. These dogs are valued for their intelligence, trainability, and adaptability to different environments and situations. They often play crucial roles in safety, security, assistance, and even emotional support.

Types of Working Dogs and Their Jobs

1. 1. Assitance Dogs: These dogs assist people with disabilities, including guide dogs for the blind, hearing dogs for the deaf, and mobility assistance dogs. Common breeds include Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, and German Shepherds.

1. 1. Police and Military Dogs: Often used in law enforcement and the military, these dogs are trained for various tasks such as tracking, search and rescue, detecting drugs or explosives, and apprehending suspects. Typical breeds include German Shepherds, Belgian Malinois, and Dutch Shepherds.

1. 1. Search and Rescue Dogs (SAR): These dogs assist in finding people lost in natural disasters, wilderness tracking, and urban settings where people may be trapped under debris. Breeds often used include Border Collies, Labradors, and Belgian Malinois.

1. 1. Herding Dogs: Originally bred to help with herding livestock, these dogs are still used on farms and ranches to manage sheep, cattle, and other animals. Common herding breeds include Border Collies, Australian Shepherds, and Shetland Sheepdogs.

1. 1. Therapy Dogs: These dogs provide comfort, affection, and emotional support to individuals in hospitals, nursing homes, schools, and stressful environments such as disaster areas. Breeds that excel in therapy work include Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Poodles, and Labrador Retrievers.

1. 1. Sled Dogs: Used in snowy, arctic regions for transportation and competitive racing, these dogs are strong and have high endurance. Typical sled dog breeds include Alaskan Malamutes, Siberian Huskies, and Samoyeds.

1. 1. Detection Dogs: These dogs are trained to use their sense of smell to detect substances such as drugs, explosives, wildlife scat, or even certain diseases such as cancer. Labrador Retrievers and Springer Spaniels are commonly used for their keen sense of smell.

1. 1. Guard Dogs: Trained to guard property or livestock against intruders and predators. Breeds known for their guarding abilities include Rottweilers, Doberman Pinschers, and Mastiffs.

1. 1. Livestock Guardian Dogs: Different from herding dogs, these dogs live with the flock and naturally protect them from predators. Common breeds include Great Pyrenees, Anatolian Shepherds, and Maremma Sheepdogs.

Working dogs are typically chosen for their breed traits, but individual temperament, intelligence, and trainability are also crucial factors. These dogs undergo rigorous training from an early age to prepare them for their roles, and they form strong bonds with their handlers, making them invaluable partners in various fields. They are not just pets but are considered essential team members in their respective domains.