judy
Well-known member
The thread about Marley got me thinking about this--there are so many reasons to buy a puppy from a reputable breeder, someone who does diligent careful health testing and only breeds healthy dogs, in order to help the overall health of the breed, so that future puppies who are born, and their owners, will have more enjoyment and can avoid the suffering brought by hereditary conditions.
Cavaliers are extremely popular in the UK. They don't rank that high in the US yet but their popularity is growing. I often have the experience of being out with Zack and having people be drawn to him, as if he has charisma, and then people start asking me questions about his care, and voice an interest in getting one. It was by meeting one that i went from having no interest in owning a dog to craving one over night.
As the demand grows for cavaliers, if reputable breeders can't meet the demand, then what? This sounds like a stimulus for growth in the puppy industry, backyard breeders, brokers and puppy farms, and of competition that will press down on production costs, i.e. health testing and nonbreeding of affected dogs. I don't see how this can be avoided. I know there is legislation that modifies the most horrific effects of puppy farming, but as far as improving the health of the breed goes, i don't see how that could be legislated. How is this dealt with in the UK where cavaliers are so popular?
Cavaliers are extremely popular in the UK. They don't rank that high in the US yet but their popularity is growing. I often have the experience of being out with Zack and having people be drawn to him, as if he has charisma, and then people start asking me questions about his care, and voice an interest in getting one. It was by meeting one that i went from having no interest in owning a dog to craving one over night.
As the demand grows for cavaliers, if reputable breeders can't meet the demand, then what? This sounds like a stimulus for growth in the puppy industry, backyard breeders, brokers and puppy farms, and of competition that will press down on production costs, i.e. health testing and nonbreeding of affected dogs. I don't see how this can be avoided. I know there is legislation that modifies the most horrific effects of puppy farming, but as far as improving the health of the breed goes, i don't see how that could be legislated. How is this dealt with in the UK where cavaliers are so popular?