Breeder Numbers Dwindling?

[YOLO]

Ok, this will somewhat be an airing of my personal opinions, and will perhaps provoke some controversy (which might be a good thing.)

Before I start with my ranting, these are the facts (as best as I can find.)

• Approximately 1/3 of Australian households have a dog (ABS.)

• In 2009 it was estimated that the dog population in Australia was 3.41 million.

It is estimated that 10% need to be replaced annually which indicates a demand for 341,000 puppies per year. (TNS & BIS Shrapnel)

• Membership of the ANKC continues to drop. From 54,500 in 1995 to 32,500 in 2012 (ANKC.)

• Registration of pups with the ANKC continues to drop from ~96k in 1986 to ~64k in 2012. (ANKC)

• In 2009 the ANKC registered 66,500 pups. They estimate that 275,000 (80%) were bred by unregistered breeders.

Of their 33,855 members, only 4,869 bred that year. Of those, 70% produced only one litter.

In my opinion, this supports the anecdotal evidence that the number of people actively breeding pedigreed dogs continues to decline, whilst unregistered breeders and puppy farms proliferate.

I am personally interested in four breeds. Over the past 30 years that I have purchased dogs, and intermediately looked at purchasing dogs, their numbers have certainly dwindled especially in WA.

There has always been a strong (healthy link) between those showing dogs and those breeding. Only natural since most aren’t doing it for profit, but to promote and perpetuate the best of their breed.

My concern is that this circle of people is becoming increasingly smaller. And (without wishing to offend anyone) that some are becoming almost insular.

There is essentially no regulation of breeding in Australia, other than self-regulation by the ANKC and its affiliates. Hence it is not in the best interests of dogs or owners for the numbers of registered breeders and pedigreed dogs to dwindle whilst more and more people resort to pet stores for their next dog. Please understand THIS is the REASON for my post.

Personally, I have never understood why the limited register prevents dogs from being shown. In my opinion that decreases the potential for generating further interest in the breed.

One of the Breeds that I have long held an interest in, has no breeders left in WA and only a handful throughout Australia. Of those, so many now only produce a litter every few years when they wish to expand their own stable. I even had one “breeder” who said that she only sends her pups to “other breeders.” Of these few remaining breeders, some that I have contacted to discuss the breed have been incredibly arrogant, condescending, and completely uninterested in furthering the breed in WA. In the case of another breed, there is so much petty bitching and sniping that the breeders have effectively split into factions.

Apologies for the rant. As I indicated; my concern, and the reason for my post is that the number of pedigreed dogs (and the interest in their breeds) will continue to diminish and many beautiful breeds will ultimately fade away in Australia.

[Tapua]

Hi Big D - I appreciate what you are saying and I do think some breeders are their own worst enemy. I have also found some to be dissmissive and arrogant at times. I dont know what the answer is. There are people who see themselves as show people who like to handle a quality dog in the ring, they enjoy showing and that is their hobby and in some cases their passion. They are not necessarily breeders or even want to be breeders.

There are those who like breeding and appreciate a well bred dog and might show and handle themselves or use a handler. I have long listened to the rants of people claimimg we are 'puppy farmers' 'doing it for money' 'neglecting the health ' or whatever they comeup with. Many breeders are on a backfoot to breed in th first place, defensive and not wanting to be seen to be making money or being a puppy farmer in someones eyes.

Councils in some states restrict the numbers of dog a person can own to breed, WA is one of them and then there is the issue of expense regading the property and laws about housing and keeping of dogs. Pure-breed dog breeding has been put under the microscope over the last few years reagarding health, housing, council registration and licencing. I have no particualr opinion on weather it should or shouldnt be happening - its just a fact that it is. We bought 1/2 acre 6 years ago, just a house and an old set of kennels, no garage, poor fencing. So partly for us, partly for the dogs we bought the block next door, built good kennels a double garage with an annex tree's up everywhere. Everything conforms to council requirements. We breed primarily service dogs, I show mine but I dont sell to others for breeding or showing as yet, only as companion dogs atm. I like good dogs and mine are competative, placing and winning and National, Royal, Speciality and local shows. I run the dogs as a business and yes the demand is high but $90,000 in investment of infrastructure later - do you thik I will make that money back in a hurry. Hmmm doubt it.

Dog breeding is an expensive business with slow return. One of the reasons Pure bred dogs are on the decline and the un-regulated pet breeders are thriving.

[corvus]

I think you have to consider changing demands. Registration through ANKC is not dropping for all breeds. In some breeds it is pretty healthy. It's not hard to guess which breeds, because we see them everywhere. They are popular. There are a lot of breeds that are obscure or specialised and fading into obscurity. It's not the fault of puppy farmers that people are not seeking out these breeds. People just don't want a dog that has a high maintenance coat or is difficult to train (excepting huskies - I have no idea why people still want huskies so bad). I live in the suburbs and often ask people at the dog park or the beach where they got their dog or why they chose the mixed breed that they did. A lot of these people are not making impulsive decisions. They are researching, picking a mix that they think will suit them, finding a breeder, sometimes interstate, that they like and getting a dog that turns out to be everything they wanted. No health issues, no behavioural issues, just a nice family dog. Others are getting dogs from the pound and more power to them. There are plenty of dogs there that need homes.

The bottom line is it's not hard for most people to find a good dog. Contrary to what folks on here insist, there are stacks of healthy mixed breed dogs out there with nice temperaments. The average person doesn't need to seek out registered breeders and absolutely can pick up a dog for a few hundred dollars that meets all their needs. For those who are looking for a purebred of a specific breed, they are usually going for one of a handful of popular breeds for which there are still plenty of registered breeders. I think looking at the stats in more detail will make this issue clearer. I am sometimes bewildered about what the purebred dog fancy actually wants. Do you want everyone to have a pedigree dog? Because the supply isn't there. Do you want 'more' people to have pedigree dogs? Why? As soon as a breed gets popular there are problems. Whether the problems are with registered or backyard breeders is a moot point, because dedicated devotees are still competing with breeders that are simply meeting a demand. IMO registration numbers for many breeds are falling because interest in dogs is changing. I would be surprised if breeders could stop this. Interest is changing because lifestyles are changing. It's not a simple, single-faceted issue.

[Sheridan]

Some breeds have never been popular. Look at the recent Maltese thread bemoaning that only 290-something Maltese were bred in the last year. As I commented at the time, those would be pretty high numbers for some breeds. And frankly, I don't want my breeds to be popular.

[mita]

I understand your concerns for posting & your looking at an overall picture.

But I always feel like Pollyanna coming into these threads.... especially when it comes to the quality of the registered breeders of purebreds I've had experience with (limited tho' it is).

In the past, Sheltie breeders associated with the Shetland Sheepdog Club of Qld.... & for more recent years, the registered breeders of Tibetan Spaniels (both nationally & internationally). I couldn't respect & admire these people more in what they're doing for their breeds. Quality rather than quantity rules.

Over the years, I've sent on other pet people to link up with these breeders. Many didn't even know they could. And they've been very, very happy that they did.

Edited March 2, 2013 by mita