Dogs are an important part of many Australian households, which is why state and territory governments are stern in promoting responsible canine breeding. Unfortunately, not all individuals who go into the dog breeding business are willing to commit their time, money, and effort to producing healthy puppies and improving their breed. As a consequence, the welfare of dogs is compromised.
While there are standards and guidelines in each state that support animal welfare, poor breeding practices continue to be carried out by irresponsible canine breeders. Unethical dog breeding leaves animals filthy, hungry, sick, or injured, resulting in poor health, distress, abandonment, and even death. This is why many potential dog owners are hesitant in transacting with the first dog breeder they meet online.
Luckily, there is no shortage of ethical canine breeders in the country. Many breeders remain committed to keeping their dogs in a state of good welfare. These individuals make it their responsibility to ensure that their animals are comfortable and secure, physically healthy, properly socialised, and have access to necessary resources. They understand their duty to care for their dogs and are dedicated to finding each the perfect household to come home to.
Principles of responsible dog breeding
RSPCA Australia 2018 defines an ethical dog breeder as the following:
#1 One that complies with animal welfare standards and legislation
Ethical dog breeders make it their duty to observe local, regional, and national codes of practice, animal welfare standards, and legislation.
Their first steps are licence procurement from their state’s local council and then dog breeding registration in Australia. These are to ensure the safety and welfare of their canines and keep them from getting into any legal issues.
Only those earning over $18,000 from dog breeding are required to have a licence. An application form is available for downloading at the Australian Business Licence and Information Service (ABLIS) website for a fee of AUS $424.
Once the application has been sent, an inspection will follow to ensure that the breeding standards of the Animal Welfare Act 1992 are met. Should a breeder pass the inspection process, they will receive their breeding licence number which they will need to display in all of their advertisements. This licence will be valid for two years starting from the date of issuance.
#2 One that provides high standards of care to their canines
Good animal welfare includes comfortable housing, proper nutrition, and socialisation.
An ethical dog breeder makes certain that its animals are housed in an environment that provides freedom of movement, is secure, and supports normal behavioural development. Ideally, the dogs should live in the breeder’s home or in a kennel that has access to another room or enclosure as well as an outside space for romping.
Canines should be kept under natural lighting conditions so that their daily circadian cycles can be stimulated. They should be provided adequate ventilation to reduce the risk of kennel cough. They should also have access to areas in the home that are both cool and warm to cater to their individual needs.
When it comes to nutrition, dogs need to be fed a high-quality and nutritionally complete diet that is appropriate to their breed, age, health, and activity level. They should be supplied with clean, fresh water daily.
Finally, canines need early socialisation to ensure that their experience as puppies is positive. They should be introduced to new sights, sounds, and experiences so that they can be confident in unfamiliar situations later on.
#3 One that demonstrates knowledge and is transparent
Responsible breeders are genuinely concerned for the welfare of their animals, which is why they continuously learn as much as they can about their dogs.
They can easily answer any questions that may be asked about their canine, including its temperament, inherited health issues, exercise needs, and breed standards. They keep important documents such as their animal’s and its parents’ medical records, lifetime history, genetic tests, and clinical examinations. They also share this information with potential buyers without hesitation.
#4 One that takes responsibility for the lifetime care of their dogs
Ethical dog breeders always make sure that they match their puppies with compatible owners that will truly care for their animals. This is why they ask many questions before making a sale. They never separate a puppy from its mother until it is fully weaned or past eight weeks of age. Furthermore, they make sure to microchip and register their dog in the official or recognised database before homing.
Before giving their dog away, responsible dog breeders provide their buyers with a comprehensive list of the welfare needs of their animals. They also provide a week’s supply of their puppy’s current food to the new owner.
