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Bree Foate

Professor Gates Domeier

WRTG 121 - Composition II: Researching the Public Expression

13 February 2024

The Nitty-Gritty of Backyard Breeding

Dogs have played a vital role in human history for centuries, though their purpose has

come to develop over time. In the beginning, a dog’s purpose was to satisfy a service such as

pulling a cart, herding sheep, or guarding property. Some may still use these animals to satisfy

these needs, however, a majority of the population has evolved to welcome them as a “part of the

family”. While this development is shocking when put into perspective, it is even more

staggering when viewing the recent decline in these animals’ health. While the demand for dogs

grows, their health and well-being have lost consistency and importance. Shockingly, regardless

of this change in perspective, the desire for working dog breeds has also skyrocketed. This has

led to an increase in the purchase of specific pedigree breeds that can only be purchased from

specialty breeders. The demand for these pedigree breeds has led to the neglect of perfectly

healthy dogs that have wound up in animal shelters, causing overpopulation in these facilities. In

a study, The ASPCA declares that the American Pet Products Association “...reports that 34% of

dogs are purchased from breeders, while 23% of dogs…are obtained from an animal shelter or

humane society” (Linder). The purchasing of specific breeds in society has led to the creation of

a pressing issue: Backyard Breeding.

Backyard Breeding is present in many different alterations, negatively affecting the dog

adoption industry’s overall health, contributing to shelter overpopulation, and exercising

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unethical practices in doing so. Backyard breeding is a dog breeding business where the owner

reproduces a specific breed of dog that others demand at a reduced cost than that of a reputable

breeder. The breed in question is not limited and can range from Doodle breeds to Bernese

Mountain Dogs and all in between. This activity is also done without proper licensing and proper

registration and does not uphold practical and healthy dog reproduction standards. Backyard

breeding often fails to uphold the standards of their breed, causing the animals to have chronic

health conditions later in life. There are many different types of backyard breeding as well, from

mobile shops to in-person viewings, with some being more obvious and housing more severe

consequences than others. This topic is important because it affects families and dog owners

worldwide.

Backyard breeding affects many aspects of a dog’s lifestyle, including the health and

well-being of pedigree breeds. This activity affects the well-being, lifespan, and quality of life of

these dogs and the adoption industry. The issues associated with the health of backyard-bred

animals are commonly due to preventable conditions and a lack of proper care. Along with this

issue, the lack of research before purchases causes people to support backyard breeders without

realizing it. In turn, most animals end up abandoned in shelters due to these health problems. The

most commonly found health issues include congenital eye and hip defects, parasites, and even

Parvovirus (Johnson). Along with these genetic conditions, these puppies begin their lives forced

into unsanitary, cramped conditions void of sanitization, socialization, and companionship that

every dog needs during its developmental stages to correct behavioral trauma and

unpredictability. On top of these conditions, puppies and dogs are often housed outside with

minimal protection from the elements and little to no veterinary care once problems arise.
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These conditions become an elevated risk because backyard breeders view profits as a

priority over health, often leading to a lack of proper veterinary care and the developing of these

illnesses. The reality of this situation is that if people continue to pose ignorance of this topic, the

health and assessment of these breeds will continue to decline, and the pedigree breed standards

will begin to succumb to change. As of now, The health of these animals is facing a detrimental

blow as the continuous purchase of backyard-bred breeds continues.

One particular breed that has been hit hard by these unethical practices is the Pug. Pugs

have become a high-demand breed of dog in recent years, leading to a skyrocketed price tag.

Because this breed has become highly sought-after in recent years, “The cost of buying a pug

puppy has gone from $1000 (AUD) to anywhere from $3000 to $5000 (AUD) in Australia. And

you have waiting lists to be able to get your own pug puppy” (Beck). This increase in price, in

turn, has allowed space for backyard breeders to creep in and produce these dogs at a reduced

cost, for a high profit. One major reason for this is that the high cost of a pug puppy from a

reputable breeder is due to the sum of money that they put into caring for the parents and puppies

when they arrive. Backyard breeders, however, show little care for these animals and focus on

the profit rather than the well-being of these puppies. This leads to unethical breeding practices

that result in major health concerns and improper genetics. One of the most important aspects of

breeding pugs is the genetic background of the parents, and when breeders don’t consider this

factor when breeding adults, the offspring end up with mutations and genetic disabilities that

affect them for their entire, often shortened, lives. Some of the most common health problems

found in unethically bred pugs include an Elongated Soft Palate, Hip Dysplasia, Luxating

Patella, and more (Beck).

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The biggest concern regarding backyard breeding is the many formats in which it can

take place. Backyard breeding cannot be easily spotted, and the different types make it difficult

to filter out the good breeders with the unreputable. One major type of backyard breeding that

causes the most harm is through something called puppy mills. Puppy mills are an extreme

version of active backyard breeding, where several dogs are rotating through pregnancies at

severe cost to the health and quality of life of the breeding dogs and their newborns. A puppy

mill’s main goal is to make a profit, and this results in severely poorly-bred dogs, who face the

worst of these conditions. In these puppy mills, the mother dog spends her entire life cramped

into a cage with no companionship or attention. When the adult dogs, including both male and

female, can no longer reproduce for the breeder’s profit, they are either abandoned or killed. Due

to puppy mills’ poor sanitation, overbreeding, and the lack of veterinary care, the puppies

frequently suffer, causing later presented disabilities for the victims who have ignorantly

supported these systems (Greenberg). The continuous purchasing has led not only to the support

of these breeders but leads to overpopulation in shelters across the nation.

Unfortunately, the convenience of this mass production produced at inexpensive costs,

leads to the likelihood of more people purchasing these animals. The cycle of this then continues

due to the lack of regulation upheld for small-scale breeders. “There is no federal regulation or

licensing registration for small-scale commercial breeders in the United States” (Johnson).

Research has shown the effects of backyard breeding on the adoption industry and its correlation

with shelter overpopulation. Once these dogs develop health issues or other behavioral concerns,

their owners commonly abandon them due to their poor health and deviance toward their

families. If the support for these breeders continues, shelters will no longer be able to upkeep
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with the influx of dogs coming into their shelters, and kill shelters will forcibly rise in popularity.

Kill shelters are a major concern currently because their purpose is to put down dogs that are

‘undesirable’ to make room for incoming, sellable animals. The rapid return of these animals

causes kill shelters to rise in popularity, and non-kill shelters are struggling to keep up with the

mass flux of dogs coming in. This overpopulation of dogs in shelters causes major strain on the

adoption industry, and affects the shelters’ ability to properly care for their animals. This

improper care has led to behavioral dysfunction in these dogs because the environment has

become a breeding ground for aggression and reactivity. In the article "The Overpopulation

Crisis," it is stated that "Around 1.5 million dogs and cats are euthanized each year mostly due to

not enough homes or resources. Animal shelters across America take in an estimated 6-8 million

stray and surrendered dogs and cats yearly," emphasizing the reality of the shelter industry and

how serious this issue is becoming due to the mass influx of animals (Chernick).

This topic is significant because shelters are struggling with overpopulation in shelters at

the moment, causing a lack of opportunity for dogs to find good homes, and could also lead to

them being left behind and murdered in kill shelters. Along with that, their quality of life is at a

low due to this breeding, and if awareness were to spread about this topic, it could end the

concept and demand better treatments for dogs and allow them to reproduce more ethically. Even

though it may seem impossible to end this, there are actions to take to lessen their impact. One

major issue with the current plan to diminish these breeders is that, although some states have

local ordinances set to regulate this small-volume breeding, the lack of uniformity across these

states has prevented effective regulation across the US. One solution could be for local animal

control departments to coordinate enforcement mechanisms and plan with their respective state
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inspectors. Another solution could be to require all breeders to notify themselves and register

online through a transcriptive service that requires proper licensing and registration to be

reputable in breeding. The major problem with this inhumane breeding is that people ignorantly

see it as a way to get the dogs they want from people who do not "jack up the price." They

believe that dogs that are getting sick and deformed are coincidences, much like some humans

are born with deformities. It is also commonly mistaken that backyard breeding is more ethical

and trustworthy because it is a singular owner who has built their 'credibility' instead of a more

extensive operation. It is sad how easily influenced people are when it comes to convenience.

People would rather risk their dogs' health by supporting dangerous, inhumane environments

along with unethical and unlicensed breeding to save a few hundred dollars or to save themselves

a long car trip.

Although adopting dogs from breeders isn’t inherently bad, it quickly goes downhill once

the adoption is made through these types of breeders. This is why it is important to adopt through

reputable breeders. Finding and adopting through these qualified breeders can help put an end to

the cycle of misery and inevitable suffering these dogs go through, and concurrently end the

dilemma of shelter overpopulation. The good news is that finding these reputable breeders is

fairly easy, and weeding out the unqualified backyard breeders is just as simple. Most backyard

breeders breed for income, while ethical breeders involve their dogs in conformation or

performance-related sports. Most ethical breeders then use the income from puppies to put back

into their program. Many ethical breeders will take back any puppy they bred and sell, at any

condition or age, if rehoming is necessary. You can confirm these ethical breeders by looking and

asking for the right information. One very quick and simple method would be to get familiar
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with the breeder. The best way to get to know a breeder is to meet in person, which could

potentially be at a kennel or their home. If it is not possible to do so, ask to meet via a

video-conferencing system. This way you can properly identify their ways of practice and the

care quality of their animals. Another option may be to ask questions to the breeder and analyze

their reactions. Responsible breeders’ end goal is to see their animals go to happy, healthy

homes, so if they seem impatient or nervous with your interrogative questions they may be

hiding unpleasant information. Lastly, be sure to ask for your animal’s professional papers.

“Reputable breeders will be happy to show proof of health screenings such as Orthopedic

Foundation for Animals (OFA) and OFA Companion Animal Eye Registry (CAER) certificates.

They will also explain any health conditions that typically affect that particular breed so you

know what to watch out for in the long term” (Staff).

Although this type of breeding is commonly identified in the United States, it has

impacted the adoption industry on a global scale. In an interview conducted with Dr. Gendera, it

is brought to light how simple and easy it is to be tricked by these breeders. When Dr. Gendera

lived in Brazil, she witnessed numerous examples of backyard breeding. Since Brazil is known

for its higher crime rates and lower lawful influence, these specific breeders face fewer threats

and thus can operate on a larger scale. This has led to backyard breeding and ‘scamming’ taking

over these countries, as their police forces are more focused on the high crime rates than

unethical breeding. This has led Dr. Gendera to fall victim to these schemes. She describes her

experience as “too good to be true,” and that the “seemingly professional breeders presented

themselves convincingly.” One day while her and her family were out on the beach, a nicely

dressed man approached them and asked if they were interested in adopting a puppy in need of a
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home. The breeder explained his background in breeding, and that he was nearing the end of his

career. He asked Dr. Gendera is she was interested in purchasing one of the last of his puppies,

and offered a ‘discounted price’ due to him retiring out of the field. Due to the environment and

their way of life in Brazil, this was a normality to Dr. Gendera and she didn’t think to question

his motives at the time. Since her family had been on the search for a dog during this time, she

ignorantly took this as a sign that they were ready to house a puppy. Years later, she saw the

same guy pulling the same stunts, and realied the mistake she had made with giving in to his

business. Dr. Gendera’s story is a real-life example of how sneaky these backyard breeders can

be, and how important it is to inform yourselves on their practices and ways in which you can

avoid them.

Willingly supporting and purchasing dogs from backyard breeders contributes to the

ongoing issues of overpopulation, health conditions, and unethical standards. Backyard breeding

to this day stands as a significant contributor to the ongoing crisis of overpopulation in animal

shelters, intensifying the already strained resources these shelters are suffering from, and leading

to the heartbreaking reality of euthanization for hundreds of dogs. The vast amount of puppies

being pushed through these unregulated practices has significantly flooded shelters with animals,

overwhelming their capacity and stripping them of their ability to provide care and find suitable

homes. On top of this population predicament, the health concerns rooted in backyard breeding

are unfortunately quite common. Dogs bred without the proper screening for genetic disorders or

compliance with health standards often suffer from a multitude of preventable diseases and

disorders, ranging from orthopedic issues to life-long, incurable genetic conditions. This not only

leads to significant suffering for the animals involved but also holds a serious emotional and
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financial burden on their adoptive families. Furthermore, the act of backyard breeding is

inherently unethical, prioritizing profit over the well-being of these pedigree breeds. By

exploiting innocent dogs for financial gain without regard for their health, temperament, or

future welfare, backyard breeders create a cycle of suffering and neglect. It is now up to society

to reject this harmful practice and instead advocate for responsible breeding methods, including

mandatory health screenings and adherence to ethical breeding standards. Additionally,

promoting adoption from shelters and encouraging spaying and neutering are crucial steps

toward minimizing the effects of backyard breeding and alleviating the strain on shelter

resources. By collectively addressing these issues, we can work towards a future where every

dog is given the care, compassion, and respect they deserve as members of our family. When

viewing this new member of the family, it is detrimental to the dog’s future to trace their origins

and the ethics of their backgrounds to ensure they live the healthiest life possible. A lack of

knowledge on this topic is the main contributing factor to this overgrown issue, and keeping

ignorance allows this cycle of abuse, unethical practice, and scamming to continue and spiral out

of control. By simply furthering your knowledge and purchasing animals responsibly, there will

be a lasting impact in saving these animals from horrid, painful futures.

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Works Cited

Beck, Kristy. “The Truth about Pug Puppies and Backyard Breeding.” The Pug Diary, 19 Jan.

2023, www.thepugdiary.com/truth-about-pug-puppies-backyard-bredding/.

Chernick, Paige. “The Pet Overpopulation Crisis.” PRIDE+GROOM, PRIDE+GROOM, 6 Nov.

2023,

prideandgroom.com/blogs/news/the-pet-overpopulation-crisis#:~:text=The%20size%20o

f%20the%20pet,surrendered%20dogs%20and%20cats%20yearly.

Contalbrigo, Laure. Padovauniversitypress, June 2023,

jelt.padovauniversitypress.it/system/files/papers/JELT-2021-2-04_4.pdf.

Greenberg, Mark. “Stopping Puppy Mills.” The Humane Society of the United States,

www.humanesociety.org/all-our-fights/stopping-puppy-mills. Accessed 10 Mar. 2024.

Johnson, Elissa. “Muzzling Backyard Breeding to Enhance Puppy Protection: Ethical Issues

Associated with Unregulated Breeding Practices.” eRepository, Seton Hall University,

scholarship.shu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1459&context=student_scholarship.

Accessed Jan. 2024.

Lindner, Jannik. “Adoption vs Breeder Statistics: Market Report & Data.” GITNUX, 20 Dec.

2023,

gitnux.org/adoption-vs-breeder-statistics/#:~:text=Approximately%203.2%20million%20

shelter%20animals,come%20from%20a%20pet%20shop.

Maybruck, Sarah. “The Unethical Practices Behind Dog Breeding.” DigitalCommons@SHU,

digitalcommons.sacredheart.edu/acadfest/2021/all/33/. Accessed 15 Feb. 2024.

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Milot, Lisa. “BACKYARD BREEDING: REGULATORY NUISANCE, CRIME

PRECURSOR.” Tennessee Law Review., vol. 85, no. 3, 2018.

Rollin, B.E. “We Always Hurt the Things We Love”—Unnoticed Abuse of Companion Animals.

Animals 2018, 8, 157. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani8090157

Staff, AKC. “How to Find and Work with Responsible Dog Breeders.” American Kennel Club,

American Kennel Club, 18 May 2023,

www.akc.org/expert-advice/advice/9-tips-finding-working-responsible-breeder/.