The practice of dog breeding has been around for about 15,000 years. What first started as a simple interaction between man and wolf has led to around 400 dog breeds that exist today. While these dog breeds are loved by many around the globe, that comes with ethical concerns about dog breeding today.
Historically, dogs were bred for specific jobs like hunting, guarding and herding leading to breeds with functional traits. While some countries continue to breed working or service dogs, modern dog breeding largely focus on appearance and temperament. People want dogs for companionship, and physical appearance plays a significant role when people select their pets.
Trends and demands have led to impractical breeds like "teacup" and flat-faced dog breeds which is born to a lifetime of suffering. There are ethical concerns because of genetic disorders and severe health issues. Pugs, along with other brachycephalic breeds, often suffer from breathing difficulties with their shortened snouts and flat faces. So much so, the Singapore Veterinary Association (SVA) issued a position statement regarding welfare concern https://sva.org.sg/news/brachycephalic/
We can speak from first hand experience in the case of Pickles, a 6-year old female pug with several health issues. She's a sweet dog, but breathes heavily when anxious or over-stimulated, and our warm weather increases her risk of overheating. The vet has said that if her respiratory issues worsen, surgery will be needed to correct her anatomical abnormalities.
But despite the fact that such breeds face serious health challenges, breeders continue to breed them driven by demand and profits.
At what cost are we paying for cuteness?
People don't really realize that when they purchase dogs, they are unintentionally supporting puppy farming, breeding practices that harm dogs and the black market of puppy smuggling.
In the past 2 years, we have rescued several ex-breeding dogs with extremely poor health conditions from a breeding facility. You can read about their living conditions - The horrors of a breeding kennel
It is unsurprising that dogs that come from these breeding facilities are often sick as a result of malnourishment, stress, and lack of veterinary care. These can include mental problems such as severe anxiety that require costly veterinary intervention and can eventually result in frustrated owners into giving up their dogs.
Breeding farms or puppy mills are essentially puppy producing factories prioritizing profits over animal welfare. Living conditions are often poor and with so many dogs in their facility, it is impossible to provide adequate care. Almost all of the ex-breeding dogs that we had rescued have bad dental decay and weak bones.
There is also the possibility of overbreeding; that is a dog having many pregnancies which can damage the body. Local regulations stipulate a maximum of one litter per year for breeding dogs, but they can have multiple litters throughout their breeding lifespan before retiring at six years old.
While you enjoy your time with your puppy, think of mama dog.
What about ethical breeding, you may ask. By definition, ethical breeding refers to a responsible approach to breeding, ensuring the welfare of the breeding dog and offspring. The question is how do we know that the breeder is not at risk of being irresponsible. Will the breeder make you a lifetime commitment to the dogs they breed, share their research, and put money into comprehensive health checks? Are they willing to take back a dog that is not thriving in a home that they placed?
The same with licensed breeders. In Singapore, licensed dog breeders are regulated by the Animal & Veterinary Service (AVS) under the National Parks Board. They must adhere to specific licensing conditions and meet certain requirements for breeding practices.
But, in 2024, 19 out of 22 licensed breeders in Singapore were found to have breached tightened rules.
They may be legal, but that does not make it right in our view. Where is the morality of keeping dogs in cages and forcing them to reproduce?
It has often been said that it is easier and faster to buy a dog than adopting. We cannot deny the fact because the dog's needs are thoughtfully considered while rescuers and shelters try to find a balance in fulfilling the human's needs. Often, we have to put the pet's needs before our own.
There is also the issue of people wanting to raise dogs when they are puppies. We need to rethink the idea that buying a puppy provides a clean slate and is easier to handle than a rescue dog. Puppies are baby animals, and need a tremendous amount of time, care, training and understanding. The experience often turns out to be more challenging than most would expect.
The rising cost of vet medicine has also put many pet owners in a plight about how much they can afford to pay for treatments for their beloved animals. That lack of information can come at a high cost if animals have undisclosed health problems, which can cost owners hundreds or thousands of dollars in veterinary bills. Not to mention the emotional pain involved.
It's a tragic irony. We have dogs overcrowding in shelters and many owners seeking to rehome dogs, while breeders are churning out puppies after puppies for profit.
Overpopulation of dogs will be a real issue when demand continues to fuel breeding, more pet abandonment and lack of resources for proper pet care.
As for retired breeding dogs, while there are now rescue organizations helping to rehabilitate and rehome these dogs, they do come with issues that involves time and money.
Is this practice sustainable?
While animal shelters are established to create safe places for animals to await their new homes, they are not pleasant places for these animals. It's a known fact that shelters are not conducive environments for promoting physically and mentally healthy animals. However they are in place to attempt to save these animals and give them another chance at a wonderful life, a second chance.
We all have a part to play to protect these animals.
