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.
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.
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.