Puppies that I breed don't end up in rescue or shelters. That's the difference between a reputable/ethical breeder and any other "breeder".

It is a shame to see some of the comments left on this page. Unfortunately they show how quickly people are to judge without truly knowing the facts. As a breeder I have a contract that all of my puppy buyers are required to sign. Some of the items included are a requirement to spay or neuter a pet, provide food and shelter (inside owner's home), provide medical care, and most importantly giving any dog I have bred back to me if in any case the owner is unable to meet the dog's needs. All of my dogs are given health clearances such as OFA or CERF and/or genetic testing such as Optigen to ensure the healthiest puppies I can for their future owner's. A majority of breeders I know have an affiliation with breed rescues to help to keep dogs out of shelters, as well as ensuring that dogs in need of a home find a family that will be their forever home. Also as breeders if anyone we know is unable to keep their pet we frequently will get calls and fortunately being in contact with a number of reputable breeders we can foster dogs and help to find good homes keeping animals out of shelters. To address the comment of Hal we do not attempt to inbreed or to sacrifice our breeds health, but rather to attempt to breed out any health issues in our breeds. This is why we do so many tests prior to breeding our animals. We breed to attain the standard set to allow our dogs to do the jobs they were bred to perform. To address Wayne's comment a responsible breeder limits the number of times a dog is bred to protect her health and will cease breeding her if it would risk her health. These are family members we are talking about, and they are treated as such. We do everything in our power to give all of our animals the happiest, healthiest lives possible.

I never really understand where people who hate dog breeders think dogs are SUPPOSED to come from. They say "Only go to a shelter" but so where are those dogs supposed to be born and raised? Surely it would be better if dogs never had to end up in a shelter before they could find a good home? Would it be a better world if all dogs were just out breeding randomly on streets and in fields and no one adopted them until they ended up in a shelter? Puppy mills are the primary source of unhealthy "purebred" dogs, and puppy mills are horrible, for the dogs who are sentenced to miserable lives there, and for the uninformed, well meaning people who buy a "purebred" puppy, almost certainly from a puppy mill, at a pet store and end up with horrendous vet bills or dogs whose personalities were stunted from birth. Responsible breeders go a long way towards ensuring health and early socialization and they care deeply about what they're doing. I can't vouch for every breeder of show dogs, I am totally certain there are abuses there, and adopting a shelter dog or rescue is a wonderful thing to do. But it would be very nice if there weren't so many dogs in shelters in the first place, and responsible breeding is the only way to get there. For people to get on this ethical high horse about purebred dogs being immoral and only shelter dogs being an ethical choice is just ridiculous. One of my dogs was from a backyard breeder and two were from responsible, small breeders both of whom I respect very much. Almost every other dog in my extended family is a rescue, and THEY are loved wholeheartedly as well. But if you really love dogs, there's a very, very important role for responsible breeders.

You could not possibly be further off base with your comments regarding breeders. We are not the reason behind the dogs at the shelters, it is the unethical puppy mills cranking out litter after litter in horrid conditions selling to pet stores and the "backyard breeders" who do NO genetic testing whatsoever prior to breeding two dogs.

All of the breeders that I know spend thousands of dollars on xrays and health clearances prior to breeding, not to mention hours of researching pedigrees. Their dogs are loved, well looked after, well socialized PETS and puppy buyers are carefully scrutinized via questionnaires, telephone interviews and face to face meetings prior to being approved to ensure the pups go to the right forever homes. If for any reason the new owners are unable to keep the dogs as they grow older, EVERY breeder I know takes it back in a heartbeat and carefully finds the dog a new home where it will be loved.

I suggest that in future you be sure of your facts before you comment ...

So Pedigree doesn't sponsor Westminster any more. Hmmm. Why would that be? I infer that perhaps because Pedigree thinks mixed breed dogs are just as good as pure breed dogs. Their commercials (which I love) makes it clear that they just love dogs -- all dogs. Heresy to Westminster folks I'd guess.

I have cats (of undetermined parentage) but I might buy some Pedigree (for a shelter?) just because.

(I listened at the gym -- no phones allowed -- or I'd have been on the phone to you toot sweet.) ;-)

this is uncomfortable to listen to.

I wonder if your guests would be interested in discussing the ethical questions around inbreeding and breeding for characteristics that compromise the dog's health.

Er, horses totally have a bond and affection to their oweners/handlers VERY similar to dogs.

Hear! Hear! Wayne. Mr. Lopate please ask your guests their opinions of how the dog breeding/showing society contributes to the over population and shelter problem and what they do to help this situation?

Does Westminster do anything at all to encourage people to adopt dogs from breed rescues or shelters? Or do these people really just not care about huge numbers of dogs being euthanized in shelters?

Westminster is simply a perpetuation of pure bred dogs who are "bred" to early death for certain "show" characteristics. Meanwhile millions of mixed breed dogs(and pure breeds) are dying in shelters all over the country.