Breeding Dog Welfare
By accepting a clear set of enforceable standards for the husbandry of breeding dogs including issues such as pen size and husbandry systems, frequency of breeding, age of retirement and the management of retired dogs we believe that members of our organisation demonstrate an unparalleled commitment to animal welfare.
Purebred vs Crossbred
The primary aim of all AAPDB breeders must be to breed healthy, suitable, well socialised puppies. This means that genetic health and temperament are primary concerns for our breeders. We do not breed for the sake of the breed but for the sake of the families who will share their lives with our puppies. We welcome any dog breeder who embraces this commitment.
Shelter vs Deliberately Bred Puppy
Some people feel very strongly that while dogs are dying in shelters it is immoral to buy a puppy that has been deliberately bred. However some people also believe that it is immoral to feed dogs while people in the world are starving. It is possible to understand the logic of these views without agreeing with them.
Our organisation supports Australian families who would like to buy a puppy of their choice, for the following reasons:
- While many people get wonderful dogs from shelters, most of these dogs are young adults and it is rarely that pups become available at 8-12 weeks of age – the critical period for socialisation.
- Many dogs in shelters are bred at random or acquired on a whim by people who do not understand the responsibilities of dog ownership. Many of these dogs are not appropriate family pets. The AAPDB supports increased education and regulation to reduce the number of randomly bred dogs and to improve pet owner responsibility.
- Not all crossbred dogs are the same and it is unreasonable to insist that someone wanting to obtain a carefully bred and socialised puppy should be obliged to buy either a pure bred dog or take a chance on a dog from an animal shelter
Pet Shop vs Private Purchase
There is a strong movement to ban the sale of dogs in pet shops, shows and markets. AAPDB members must agree not to sell dogs in markets or shows or to people under the age of 18 years. The issue of sale to pet shops is problematic and some members oppose such sales however there is also some strong support (and even affection) for good well run pet stores. The AAPDB permits sale of pups though stores which meet the Pet Industry Association husbandry standards and which accept the duty of care post sale which is otherwise the obligation of an AAPDB member. This includes issues relating to impulse buying, post sale illnesses, desexing and recording.