Breeders With Pride

"There are three types of 'pet providers' who stand behind their animals for life: good shelters, good rescue groups and TRUE quality breeders."

       "The cruelty and absolute neglect of puppy mill animals can truly make a quality, caring breeder sick. When an pet animal is raised as a commodity, there is no thought as to the proper conformation, nutrition or social environment necessary to start these puppies as a normal pet. Many of these puppies start off with medical issues and fear issues due to lack of exposure to normal household sounds and activities. They are often weaned from the mother too early and sold before they have proper socialization.

       "At Stardust Dachshunds, breeder of Standard Longhaired Dachshunds for over 25 years, breeding is done on a very select basis and only minimally. We breed only healthy animals that are exemplary examples of the breed." -- Anne M. Schmidt, Stardust Dachshunds

Anne M. Schmidt comments more on responsible breeding

       "As a responsible breeder, I'm willing to pay more for my kennel license if necessary, to see that everyone gets looked at, and I feel that all responsible breeders should have that stand because if they're doing their job right, they have nothing to fear -- and if they're not, then they do, and they should be stepped on." -- Frederick Lord, DVM; Warwind Farm, breeder of champion Borzoi.

       "As a breeder of purebred dogs who believes in quality, NOT quantity, I have come to the realization that to control this puppy mill/backyard breeder problem and protect these innocent animals as well as purebred dogs, we need to be willing to become part of the development of new and better laws - we need to become part of the solution!

       "As a dedicated owner/breeder (now 35 years in Borzoi), I have no problem being inspected by trained humane officers or paying a little more for a license, because we have nothing to hide. As long as I know we will not be the only ones having to abide by these laws and that others [puppy mills, 'backyard breeders' and designer dog breeders) will be brought under control.

       "We need to be willing to maybe pay a little more, and support some sensible and fair rules to provide our state with the ability to hold these mass breeders, who are living off the backs of innocent animals, to higher and enforceable standards." -- Barbara Lord, Warwind Farm

Barbara Lord comments further on Responsible Breeding

"Planned breeding has a single purpose...a single LEGITIMATE purpose, and that is to improve the specific breed, always trying to develop the 'perfect' specimen, whether it be for competition in the breed ring, in the field, in obedience, or on the trail. This is the 'mantra' upon which Willo Siberians was created and to which we adhered for the years we showed and raced. "        "But breeding is always a crap shoot. You might get one super quality, sometimes none. The reputable breeder knows what 'good' is and strives for it every time. If a breeding doesn't produce that, the bitch is spayed." -- Lois Leonard, Willo Siberians / Adopt A Husky, Inc.

Lois Leonard comments further on Responsible Breeding

       "It disheartens and alarms me to find that a shadow has been cast over central Wisconsin by the buying and selling of dogs as though they were a mere commodity one could use as one pleases and then toss aside. They are being regarded as a source of income and not the loving and dedicated friends they are and will become if raised correctly and allowed to reach their potential.

       "We all heard the public outcry elicited by the Michael Vick scandal. Is Vick's reality so different? These dogs have no life. To produce/perform- becomes their sole function. Dogs were among the first creatures to seek out humans as a source of companionship. We do owe them something. They are not here for us to cage, ignore, and breed until they are not longer productive, and then discard.

       "Regardless the name or the breed, they are all individuals. Each one is his own reason for being and rightly so. We would not have it any other way. " -- Sybil Basombrio, Kirkwall Cairns

Read Sybil's article, "Breeders vs Auction/Puppy Mill: What a Difference!" in its entirety.