The Ethics of Dog Breeding
We often refer to dogs as “Man’s Best Friend,” and the intended sentiment is often one of wholesome partnership. Owners provide dogs with shelter, food, care, and endless bellyrubs, among other things. In return, individuals and families alike are met with tailwags and a warm, comforting friend to relax with everyday. For the most part, dog lovers exercise a healthy balance between companionship and ownership.
Unfortunately, as demand for dogs grows, so does the practice of breeding. The fad of “Pandemic Puppies” certainly illustrated that the allure of adopting a new puppy is not fading. It also brought to light the ever-present drawbacks of appealing to consumer fascination with purebred dogs. While some dogs may be bred to prioritize their intrinsic working tendencies, like retrievers and shepherds, small lap dogs are also strategically bred for cosmetic purposes. Although many breeders assume responsibility and take meaningful steps to maintain a healthy bloodline for these dogs, others prioritize the profitability that comes with breeding. So, should we keep breeding dogs the way we do, or is it time to rethink the whole system?
The primary issue with modern dog breeding is the emphasis placed on physical appearance rather than health. Many popular breeds face serious health complications as a result of the neglect of their genetics. Bulldogs, Pugs and Frenchies all have undeniably cute faces that make even the most stoic characters want to give them some belly rubs. However, those tiny squished faces also hinder the dogs ability to breathe properly. Perhaps you can recall a pug making little grunts and squeaks– that's the dog gasping for air.
Larger breeds like German Shepherds also have medical ailments as a result of the desire for them to have sloped backs. Although a sloped back may be more aesthetically pleasing, it also exposes them to increased rates of hip and joint issues, drastically shortening their lifespan. Although they are not as big as a shepherd and resemble a hotdog more than anything, Dachshunds have long bodies that make them prone to spinal injuries. These are all conditions we know about, yet the demand for these breeds stays high, and breeding standards keep pushing for more exaggerated features.
Apart from the inevitable health concerns that arise from breeding, there is also a neglect for the extreme overpopulation that breeding only worsens. Every year there are millions of dogs that end up in shelters with many of them being euthanized because there aren't enough homes to take them. Large-scale breeders continue to produce more puppies of the most desirable breeds; it’s not just about responsible breeders, it’s about supply and demand. Puppy mills are the worst offenders. These mass breeding operations focus entirely on profit, with little to no regard for the health or well-being of the dogs. Puppies are often sick, poorly socialized, and sold to unsuspecting buyers who don’t realize the long-term health problems they’re taking on. As long as people keep buying puppies from pet stores or online breeders without researching where they come from, these unethical operations will continue to grow.
While a simple solution to the problem would be to completely shut down puppy mills and commercial breeders, a more practical approach would be to simply rescue one of the many dogs who are in a shelter and need a home. Not only are you potentially saving that dog's life, but you also are likely to have the dog for longer because they will not be predisposed to the medical issues that cut purebred dog lives short.
Beyond the fact that it is in the best interest of both the owner and the dog to rescue and cut back on breeding, we also have a duty to dogs as a whole to do so. If we are truly each other's best friends, we should treat them as such. Researchers have found that owning a dog can strengthen one's immune system, decrease the risk of a heart attack, encourage healthy habits, and foster a more light-hearted lifestyle. All of these positive impacts come simply from owning a dog, whether it is purebred or rescued. If we are benefiting from this relationship in such a positive way, it is only right for us to reciprocate. Breeding dogs is not only immoral because of the negative health impacts it has on them but also because for all they give us, they deserve, at the very least, a healthy life.