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Comment by com2kid | Hacker News Reader

I agree with what I presume your overall premise is, that the breeding standards in the US have traditionally focused on aesthetics over health, and that "award winning show dogs" can have all sorts of horrible health problems that lead to an early, painful death.

And then there are puppy mills, which are on the polar opposite of the "fancy breed purity" spectrum, but equally horrific.

My overall inclination is pacifism and to focus on loving everyone, but I'd probably be OK with a discreet Tonya Harding'ing to the kneecaps of people running puppy mills.

It is sad that a combination of greed and elitism have doomed so many dogs in America to suffering.

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> … "award winning show dogs" can have all sorts of horrible health problems that lead to an early, painful death.

There are a few breeds that have serious health problems, but the vast majority don’t.

I have an award winning show dog, and he’s strong, healthy, and happy. We are responsible in researching the right pairing for matings. We use pedigree research, DNA tests, and inbreeding coefficient calculators to ensure healthy offspring.

Responsible breeders exist, and in fact are a majority.

> Responsible breeders exist, and in fact are a majority.

Are responsible breeders creating the majority of new puppies though?

If a random person goes to a random breeder and buys a dog, what are the odds that breeder is ethical and following best practices?

I'd bet it is less than 50%.

> There are a few breeds that have serious health problems, but the vast majority don’t.

My complaint was mostly focused on breeds where the breed standard is by definition unhealthy.

> We use pedigree research, DNA tests, and inbreeding coefficient calculators to ensure healthy offspring.

And the asshole outside of the city limits breeding puppies in his backyard is doing no such thing, but is still selling "pure bred poodles" that will have horrible behavioral problems and awful health.

I apologise for not making it clear enough that I separate “award winning show dog” breeders from “puppy mill” breeders. There is a special place in hell for those that run puppy mills. The same goes for the buyer though. It isn’t hard to figure out if you are buying from a responsible breeder. There is typically a long waiting list (we waited nearly two years for our boy) and there is a long “who are you and can you properly look after a dog” process before you even get on the list.

At the end of the day, puppy mills exist because people buy from them.

Responsible breeders work hard with the respective breed groups to improve the health standards, and a lot of work is underway to introduce new bloodlines and standards to unhealthy breeds. That is not to say that all breeders are good breeders, or care much about dogs’ health, but there is a definitive push for change going on towards improving the standards.

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