This is why I disagree with breeding

Yah, I know there's another thread about the breeding debate. But this is not intended to be an intelligent debate... it's just my @#$ rant.

My cousin is a doctor, very intelligent, generally a nice person. 8 years ago she decided she wanted a purebred Labrador. Even though I suggested that there are plenty of purebred labs at the pound, she wanted one with papers. So she paid someone $1000 to breed a dog with papers. For 8 years, that dog was her little baby, slept on the bed, etc. But as she became wealthier & moved to nicer houses, the dog became introduced to the concept of "off limits". Last year my cousin had a kid, and guess what... the entire house is "off limits" to the pooch.

The dog's new life = tied to a tree in the back yard 24 hrs/day. And now, 8 years after the initial mistake was made, the dog is headed for the pound, because there's no place for it anymore.

Of course it's easy to blame my cousin. But everyone has a right to be an idiot. I like to go to the root of the problem. The breeder is responsible for the life of a dog, just like a parent is responsible for the life of a child. Because they brought it into the world. And as my example proves, "a good home" is never guaranteed.

Bottom line, folks... I got myself a new dog. Um... anyone have any advice on labrador retrievers? :$

 

Well... My dog Midnight is half Black Lab and I think the other half may be Border Collie. Midnight is kind well behaved and is very intelligent. Labs are known to be some the most intelligent dogs around. Labs are good with kids so your cousin should have let the dog stay in the house. My best friend and his wife have a two y/o toddler and she plays with Midnight and climbs all over her and Midnight doesn't seem to mind at all.

The only practical reason one would want a dog w/ papers would be if you were gonna breed them for commercial use.

I prefer mixed breeds because they usually don't have the genetic problems that purebreeds tend to have.

 

My dog bongo is half lab half collie. Makes an excellent dog. The other one is a german shorthair. She is purebred, she is the smartest, best behaved dog I have ever had, or met as far as that goes. I have the papers on the shorthair, but I have no intention on breeding her. Actually, I didn't pick her out, she picked me. So cute I couldn't resist, Of course I didn't pay $1000 for her

 

Hi Spaceduck...I hate to hear stories like that...not all folks who buy purebred dogs do that sort of thing though...labs are generally good with kids...I'm surprised your cousing didn't try it out. Maybe the dog wasn't well socialized as a puppy? I hope the dog goes to a good home after all it has been through...poor thing...

 

Oops, I think you were inferring that you took the dog...missed that on the first reading I dno't know about labs specifically, but there are good internet sites that may give you some info...

 

Hehe yah, I was so riled up about the situation, I totally blew over the good news that the pooch found a good home (w/ me). I'm a little cooled down, so I can think clearly now.

Definitely I want to clarify... I have nothing against responsible people, whether they buy dogs from breeders or get them at the pound. I guess my gripe is that some breeders may be too willing to ship their dogs off to rich, yuppie households, not realizing how sour things can (and probably will) go.

Of course, all of you are right, it's obvious that labs are great with kids. But this is my cousin's first baby, and she's insanely paranoid. Stupid paranoid. You know, 24hr CCTV surveillance cameras, etc. lol Ironic thing is, I've read several articles that say an infant's exposure to pets is a good thing, because it causes them to build up an immunity to common allergies. Kids raised in pet households have less cases of asthma & respiratory diseases. Oh well.

P.S. Some fine looking pups you got there HippyLandscaper!

 

I've read that too, that kids do well when exposed to pets (unless they already have an established allergy to them), but, whatever...I'm glad the dog got a good home with you! I hope you have a good time with your new doggie; I've never had a lab before, but I've heard they are sweethearts, and really wonderful dogs.

As far as breeders go, good breeders, many of them anyway, will take back a dog at any stage of its life if its owner decides he or she doesn't want the dog. The breeder I got my girl from does that, and it is good to know that she is a responsible enough breeder to have this policy, even though I would never take her up on it. I love my dog to pieces, and I will have her until the day she dies!

Have fun with that new pup!!

 

What in the hell does this thread have to do with breeding? The dog could be a mutt and now regulated to the backyard. I really don't see any corelation between breeding and the experience of this dog.

 

dhs:

You don't have to be a Buddhist to understand that we are responsible for the lives we create.

Sus:

That's really refreshing to hear about breeders who are willing to take unwanted animals back. If all breeders were like that, I'd have no gripe with the business. But until then, it's just a business.

 

Aww, I'm glad you decided to take the dog..

 

Glad the dog found a new home, I'm sure you two will be very happy together.


I'm not a huge fan of breeders, and certainly would chose an animal from a rescue any day, but they are acting in good faith. You cannot truly hold them accountable for something that happens years down the line that is beyond their control.

Breeders are only in business because of guardians (or rather guardians to be). If there was no demand there would be no supply.

 

Wise words, Sage-Phoenix. I guess like anything else, no business is inherently evil. Even Japanese whaling ships are just fulfilling a demand. But I can't help but wonder in the case of companion animals... if all the breeders took a break, then people would logically turn to shelters & pounds for their pets. The perfect solution?

 

Thank you

 

aww thats horrible but it happens everyday. it shouldnt but it does. the only tihng with labs you have to watch out for is that they are very prone to arthitis in their back legs, just watch out for leg dragging, limping, trouble getting up stairs, sofas etc. if he does get it try evening primrose capsuls and cod liver oil. but good luck they are lovely doggies xxx

 

you are such a sweetheart for taking the dog for your sister...i hate it when people get rid of pets for stupid, selfish reasons. but at least you were there to help since you have an older doggie, i would watch out for arthritis and hip dysplasia...older labs are prone to those problems. good luck with your puppy!

 

first of all MOST responsible dog owners would NEVER leave thier dogs out tied to a tree all day and night.. that is just rediculas and cruel.

I own three purebred dogs, they are the best dogs, because i treat them right...

Labs are not generally good with kids, they jump up, have very hard tails which acts like a whip, they bite when they want to get the ball/stick out of your hand, they are VERY energectic from puppy hood through adult hood. They also tend to shed..

I am really happy that you decided to take the dog in, but i have to say.. your doctor cousin, isnt very smart to be treating a dog so badly. poor thing probably just wanted loves..

I cant believe that they would pay $1000 for a pure bred lab. lab breeder in canada charge $600-800 with papers, health gaurentee, shots, pedigrees, parents pedigrees, etc etc etc...

has this dog had any training?
How could your cousin love a dog so much, having it sleep with her etc, and then just throw it away like that??

This is one of my major frusterations, I dont understand ignorant persons.
my dogs all come from fairly reputable breeders and their costs ran from $400-800.... I own a shih tzu, siberian husky, and a great dane..

edit: it isnt the breeders fault your cousin is a dip shit.

 

No, but the breeders are still contributing to an overpopulation of dogs and cats. For each dog they breed and for each one you buy off them (thus encouraging them to breed more) that is one more dog being put down at the local shelter.