18.06.2026 / Guides
Is dog breeding unethical?
Is dog breeding unethical?
A storm erupted under the post about Runa's pyometra. Besides the many kind comments and expressions of support, for which we sincerely thank you, there was also considerable hate.
While pyometra itself isn't reserved for breeding female dogs, it seems that words like "puppies," "mating," or the mention of the uterus were enough of a trigger. People were outraged – our dog got sick, so "we neglected him," "used him to give birth over and over again," "he's our money machine," and as a result, "all the animals in the shelter are suffering too."
It doesn't matter how Runa is actually treated.
We breed dogs, so we're angry. As was also said in the comments – it doesn't matter that the commenters don't know us personally; they don't need to know us to pass judgment. And they won't change their minds, no matter how many arguments you put forward – nothing will convince them.
But I'm not writing this post to bash anyone. Because you know what? Maybe some of these people are actually decent people. They may have helped many animals in need. I don't tend to scrutinize people and judge them simply because I don't know them. I also dislike the phenomenon of social polarization in any context – us being good and them being bad. But I feel the need to provide a substantive response to these public accusations because I believe many false and harmful beliefs circulate in society.
"If she had been spayed, she wouldn't have gotten the disease."
If she had been spayed, she wouldn't have gotten pyometra. There have been suggestions in the comments that early spaying of female dogs (one-year-olds) is a good idea to prevent diseases...
Just a dozen or so years ago, spaying was often promoted as an almost universal solution to the problem of animal homelessness and many reproductive system diseases. Today, the approach is more complex. A growing body of research shows that the decision to spay or neuter should be considered individually for each dog, taking into account the breed, sex, age, health status, and intended use of the animal.
Sterilization reduces the risk of some diseases, but it can also increase the risk of others. The most frequently reported side effects include urinary incontinence, a tendency to be overweight, changes in coat color, and, in some dogs, an increased risk of certain orthopedic diseases and cancers. Particular attention is currently being paid to premature spaying, performed before the dog has completed its growth. Sex hormones play a significant role in skeletal development, so their premature removal can increase the risk of orthopedic problems such as hip dysplasia, cruciate ligament rupture, or skeletal imbalances.
This doesn't mean, of course, that spaying is bad. It just means that it is not a flawless procedure, and should be considered individually for each dog.
"As long as there are dogs in shelters, breeding should be banned" and "there are already enough dogs for everyone."
Even setting aside the argument that dogs from breeding centers should be selected based on health, temperament, appearance, and often utility (I understand that we're saying goodbye to guide dogs, rescue dogs, herding dogs, etc., because ultimately, this is also dog exploitation), something here still doesn't quite add up. By suspending legal breeding for, say, 10 years, we're eliminating all dog breeds, all the cynological work of all dog lovers, and ultimately, all pet dogs. (Assuming that, in the meantime, mutts also stop breeding unchecked.) After all, who are we going to breed at that age? Retired dog grandmothers? You can't "suspend breeding" for years and then restart it like some computer program. “A Money-Making Machine”
Anyone who knows how much comprehensive dog care costs isn't laughing at the circus… but I'll leave it at that, and you know why? Because anyone who knows me personally knows how I care for my animals. And anyone who doesn't and judges me will still think they know better... Before we had a dog breeding farm, we simply had dogs. And then dogs became our passion and our lives. And that's how it's stayed.
“Is there little poverty in shelters?”
Purebred dogs from reputable breeders almost never end up in shelters. Maybe not everyone knows this – responsible breeders even have a safeguard in their sales contracts that guarantees that if, for any reason, the dog can no longer stay with the family that acquired it, it must be returned to the breeder to find it a new home. We've also given dogs up for free adoption this way before.
But leaving that aside, perhaps we should also take a look at what an effective fight against animal homelessness actually looks like?
Does it involve slinging mud at legal breeders? A 10-year breeding ban? Maybe we should ask the Netherlands?
The Netherlands is widely considered a country that has virtually eliminated the problem of stray dogs. They achieved this through a few simple steps: mandatory microchipping and registration, high fines for abandonment, and extensive sterilization programs for non-breeding animals. That's all there is to it.
Isn't this what the greatest animal lovers should strive for? Is it so hard to believe that breeders are also animal lovers, not abusers? That we love our animals and help those in need? Not everyone, of course, but perhaps it's always worth trying not to be hasty in judgment?
The fight against animal homelessness and responsible breeding don't have to be on opposite sides of the fence. Both should begin with the same thing: responsibility for the animals we bring into the world.