Efficacy and Morality of Breeding Dogs versus Adopting Rescue Dogs from a Shelter

The Animal That Changed You

Okay, let’s take some deep breaths. Warning: today’s episode will likely bring about strong feelings, but you know Katya and Jenny. They don’t shy away from discussing the ins and outs of a topic pertaining to animals just because it’s challenging! So, they’re talking about breeding. They’re talking about dogs bred for profit or on accident, about spay or neuter, about health issues and how some dogs can’t even give birth naturally anymore.
In this episode of The Animal That Changed You, the central question is this: if we paid attention to which dogs were being bred, if we bred for personality and health instead of breed confirmation or aesthetics, how much better off would we be when it comes to having dogs? Because otherwise, adopting a dog is no “riskier” than purchasing one. Because otherwise, it’s about looks without any regard to genetic disposition, nature or nurture, and that means more money spent to get the dog doesn’t buy you a guarantee.
But then. Prioritizing character when it comes to breeding means not every rescue dog being spayed and neutered, means not leaving the breeding of which dogs come into this world up to chance or profit. It also means cultivating more patience with the dogs that are living now as we learn how to best help them and love them, how to reinforce good behavior and set them up to succeed, knowing we’d prefer not to create more of them.

There may not be an easy solution, but Jenny and Katya bring it and they hope it gets you thinking, gets you talking, and motivates you to send them an email and get in on the convo. Because the benefits and risks of breeding versus adoption is not a one-size-fits-all discussion, and it’s definitely controversial. So your feedback and thoughts are welcome here, are called for, and are already appreciated.

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