There is plenty of controversy surrounding dog breeding, including the prevalence of puppy mills and the methods used by breeders. Though they have been used for years, one of the more recent controversies is breeding stands. There are many contrasting opinions surrounding the use of breeding stands, partially because there’s not a lot of information about them. There are also ethical concerns about using them.
We’ll explore dog breeding stands in more detail below to show you what they are and how they’re used. If you’re considering adopting a new puppy from a breeder, it’s crucial to understand how dogs are bred so you can determine whether your ethical standards are being met.
What Is a Dog Breeding Stand?
A dog breeding stand is an object to restrain a female dog while being mated. It typically has a steel frame that can be adjusted to fit the dog’s height and two leather or rubber loops to hold the dog in place around the neck and stomach.
Breeders worldwide have used stands to make mating easier. They are useful because they help dogs start mating, and if the female dog is a biter, they protect the male dog from being bitten. The stand restraining the female is part of the controversy.
Are There Pros to Using Dog Breeding Stands?
- Stands are weight-bearing. Sometimes, one dog may be much heavier than the other. If this occurs and the male is heavier, the female dog will be taking on a lot of extra weight during mating. She may even end up trying to sit or lie down during the process, which makes it pretty hard for the male dog to continue what he’s doing. Because of its shape, dog breeding stands can help distribute extra weight. So, the stand bears the weight of the female, who can then hold the weight of the male.
- Stands can make the mating process safer. As we said before, sometimes female dogs will be aggressive and bite. If that is the case, the stand can protect the male from being bitten.
- Stands stop the female from running mid-act. Occasionally, when dogs mate, the female attempts to run off, which can seriously injure the male dog. After penetration, the genitals lock together. If the female runs while this is happening, it could result in a broken penis bone or degloving of the penis for the male, which is quite painful.
Is Using Dog Breeding Stands Ethical?
Below, we’ll discuss why some people are opposed to breeding stands
- How ethical is the use of restrainment? This seems to be the most significant issue regarding breeding stands. The stand is used to restrain the females, and restraining animals for mating can be highly upsetting for them. In fact, some critics refer to them as “rape stands.”
- Does restrainment hurt the female? While restrainment doesn’t necessarily hurt the female dog, it is mighty uncomfortable as they can’t move their bodies at all while on the stand.
- The use of dog breeding stands for females who aren’t ready to mate. Some dog breeders are driven entirely by profits instead of the love of animals. These breeders often use breeding stands to force a female dog to mate before she’s ready instead of waiting until they are old enough. A reputable breeder will wait until the female is around 2 years old before breeding.
Conclusion
While they may be safe to use in breeding, dog breeding stands have drawbacks and raise questions of ethics. Whether they are ethical or not depends on the situation they are used in and your personal moral compass. For example, stands being used to force females to mate before they are ready purely so a breeder can make more money is unethical. On the other hand, breeding stands can be helpful when dogs have weight or height differences or if the female is fond of biting. Not all dog breeders use these stands, but you may want to ask any breeders you’re considering adopting from whether they do if it’s an issue that concerns you.
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