~ What Makes ~
~ A Responsible Breeder? ~

The information contained here is lengthy, for which I apologize, but all of it is important in the process of acquiring your sheltie. Please do not let my verbosity interfere with reading what I have to say about responsible breeding. The more information you have, the better armed you are against the uncaring, unknowledgeable, ignorant breeders who wish only to take your money.

Breeding responsibly should encompass an entire world of purpose, thought, knowledge, and should even include a very clear-cut and unwavering sense of moral obligation and conscience. Breeding responsibly is more - oh, so MUCH more - than having your sheltie deemed healthy for breeding, and with a fine temperament, by a cursory health examination by a veterinarian. Just as true beauty is more than skin deep, true health is more than skin deep, and cannot be completely determined by a simple health exam. A responsible breeder looks beyond the beauty to the brains, the underlying genetic make-up and overall general health of the shelties being bred. This breeder will have knowledge of the health, temperament, faults and strengths of not just the sheltie being bred, but the parents (and siblings), grandparents (and siblings), great-grandparents, etc., and going back as far as 7 or 8 generations or more, thereby ensuring to the highest extent possible, the overall health, temperament and intelligence of the puppies! There is a lot more to genetics than simply that which meets the eye. And believe me, EVERYTHING that affects our shelties, whether physically, emotionally, or behaviorally, is, to a great extent, genetic!!

A responsible breeder breeds only for themselves, to improve their own bloodlines and that of the future of the breed as a whole, regardless of personal agendas, current fads, fancies and always with improvement of the breed being of utmost importance. A responsible breeder breeds to the breed standard, ever striving to reach the unattainable - the "perfect" sheltie. This breeding business is an art, and one that is a precarious and carefully maintained balance between health, intelligence, temperament and beauty.

A responsible breeder WILL:

• breed ONLY to create better dogs as defined by their breed standard.

• be able to compare their own dogs with the breed standard.

• ensure to the highest extent possible, both the bitch and dog being bred are healthy and clear of hereditary diseases.

• very carefully research any planned or potential breeding.

• help you select the right breeder for you.

• help you select the right puppy for you, your family and home situation.

• guarantee general health until your puppy sees your own veterinarian.

• guarantee genetic health for at least five (5) years, or in many cases, for the life of the dog.

• never require you to return a genetically (or otherwise) affected dog that is refunded or replaced.

• guarantee temperament for life, usually with few conditions.

• raise puppies in the house, not in a kennel (there are VERY few exceptions to this rule!).

• socialize puppies from the day they are born.

• have and share intimate knowledge of each individual puppy's personality.

• work their dogs - conformation, obedience, agility, herding, tracking, etc.

• be interested in your puppy throughout its life and will want to keep in touch with you.

• be available to you any time you have a question or problem.

• provide you complete vaccination and health records.

• provide pedigree, copies of health certificates on parents, where available.

• provide food and exercise recommendations.

• require that you return the dog to them if, at any time, you are unable to keep the dog.

• ALWAYS be willing to take back one of their dogs, regardless of reason.

• freely share information about the breed and their own dogs.

• take advantage of educational and learning opportunities - seminars, training, etc.

• usually not have the sire of a litter on the premises.

• believe the only stupid question is the one you do not ask.

• allow you to meet other dogs on their premises, including the dam of the litter, and any available relatives.

• keep any puppies they cannot place, for forever, if necessary.

A responsible breeder will make you feel as though you are adopting a child - which may sound silly - but believe me, to the breeder, it is not. A responsible breeder invests their heart and not an inconsiderable amount of time and money into the breeding program. Placing the puppies with care is simply an extension of the breeder's care for the breed as a whole. Taking responsibility for the lives they have created should be of paramount importance to them. They may also encourage pet homes to do genetic testing on the puppies they take home, perhaps offering a refund on the purchase price for such tests, so the breeder can have a more extensive, broader knowledge of the genetics of their bloodlines. This knowledge is essential in order to continue to produce the best possible shelties.

It is possible a breeder may, if they feel a sheltie is not right for you, steer you away from acquiring one, and may offer suggestions for other breeds you might investigate. Understand this would not necessarily be intended as a personal insult, but would be done out of care and consideration for the puppy and the home into which that puppy is placed. If the breed isn't right for you, then the puppy will never live up to whatever expectations you may have, and this could potentially turn into a disaster for not just the puppy, but for you and your family as well.

Avoid the breeder who:

• Does not ask you any questions and is only interested in the money you are paying.

• Makes you feel uncomfortable, or who lives in surroundings you find questionable or unacceptable.

• Pushes you to buy their puppy, rather than seek to find the best puppy for you whether their puppy or someone else's.

Remember, it should be important to the breeder that you acquire the right puppy or dog, and that the puppy or dog finds the right and best home, whether you deal with this breeder or another. This may mean the breeder may refuse to place a puppy with you, choosing to refer you to another breeder - it is always the breeder's discretionary responsibility and right to do best by the puppy, who has no voice of his own, while offering you the best information possible toward your finding the best - the right - puppy for you.

A responsible breeder will NEVER:

• Breed a litter only to make money.

• Breed a litter only to "prove" that the dog or bitch is capable of reproducing.

• Keep more dogs than they are able to properly care for.

• Breed a bitch's 2nd litter before she has recovered from her 1st, even if it is a year or more.

• Place a companion puppy without a spay/neuter contract and limited registration.

For more information on responsible breeding please visit these off-site topics:
(Please do not forget to use your browser's "back" button to return to Ailea's Place.)

Should I Breed My Shetland Sheepdog?

10 Rules of Ethical Breeding

Now you have a working knowledge of what a responsible breeder is and does. Jump forward to:

Finding The Right Responsible Breeder

Choosing Your Sheltie

Suggested Reading

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