Dr. Amanda Charles, a 2002 graduate from Liverpool University, has built a prolific career in small animal medicine. She is passionate about providing pet owners with reliable and current information, enjoying the varied aspects of veterinary work. Outside the clinic, Amanda's life is filled with the energy of her two young sons, her spirited Cocker Spaniel, along with a spunky Ragdoll cat.
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As you may know, many dog breeders are reputable, act responsibly, and care about the health and welfare of their pups. Unfortunately, there are also people who irresponsibly breed dogs, particularly in places like puppy mills. They are known for overbreeding dogs for profit without concern about the consequences, risks, and health issues for the mothers or their litters.
The effects of overbreeding are similar, whether done in a backyard breeding situation with one or two dogs or in puppy mills where many dogs are being bred on a larger scale for profit.
What Is Overbreeding?
According to the American Kennel Club’s (AKC) guide to responsible breeding, it is “customary to avoid breeding a bitch on consecutive heats to allow sufficient time for recuperation between pregnancies.” The guide also states, “The AKC rules do not allow, except with special documentation, the registration of a litter out of a dam less than 8 months of age or more than 12 years of age at the time of mating, or by a sire less than 7 months of age or more than 12 years of age at the time of mating.”
Overbreeding is a harmful practice. Dogs are bred more often than they should without any concerns for the mother’s health or the welfare of the litter of pups. Overbreeding also contributes to the overpopulation of dogs and the euthanasia of sickly or unwanted pups every year.
Overbreeding can involve:
Female dogs being mated and having litters more often than their body can safely manage.
The practice of breeding dogs in large numbers with little regard for the health and well-being of the animals involved.
Image By: Shift Drive, Shutterstock
What Are the Consequences of Overbreeding?
Overbreeding poses serious health and welfare risks both to the mothers and their puppies. It also contributes to the large numbers of unwanted dogs and overcrowded shelters and rescues. Sadly, many of these dogs are euthanized every year.
Due to the large number of puppies being born in puppy mills, overbreeding can also reduce the likelihood of animals from rescue groups, shelters, and reputable breeders being placed in loving homes.
1. Welfare Concerns
Puppy mills, where overbreeding is most common, are notorious for their poor conditions. Dogs are usually kept in small and unsanitary enclosures with little to no veterinary care.
Female dogs are bred repeatedly with no rest between litters. When they are no longer able to reproduce, they are often discarded or euthanized.
Puppies are not socialized and bred for their physical traits rather than temperament. As a result, they frequently suffer from behavioral issues later on in life.
2. Genetic Defects and Inherited Disorders
When dogs are overbred, appearance or specific traits are typically prioritized over health and genetic diversity. Dogs may be inbred (mated with closely related dogs) to maintain these traits, which can also increase the prevalence of genetic disorders.
3. Putting Profit First
Overbreeding does the opposite of responsibly breeding to improve. They do not think about the welfare of the animals. They rush to make more money, so they spend less and breed more.
Image By: Bharathi Kannan, Unsplash
Health Concerns of Overbreeding in Dogs
Overbreeding generally results in multiple litters being born in cramped conditions, often without any form of veterinary care. This poses hygiene risks and increases the spread of infectious diseases. For example, viruses like parvovirus and parasites like hookworms can rapidly spread among the puppies.
The mothers can also be affected by malnutrition, hypocalcemia (low calcium levels, which can be life-threatening), uterine infections, and mastitis.
When dogs are overbred, the parents rarely have any genetic or health testing before breeding. This increases the risks of genetic and inherited issues in the puppies.
Health issues that can be more common due to overbreeding include:
Orthopedic issues such as hip dysplasia
Hearing loss and eye problems
Difficulties during birth
Respiratory issues like the ones common in flat-faced breeds
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What Are Some Red Flags You Should Be Aware of?
The breeder avoids or refuses to show you the entire property where the dogs are kept and bred.
The breeder is not questioning the potential buyer.
The person selling the dogs has several types of designer crossbreeds or purebred pups being sold.
If the seller does not offer you a puppy contract or health guarantee, buyer beware.
What Should You Look for in a Breeder?
A responsible breeder will explain and provide a potential buyer with vet information, medical history, and vaccine records.
A responsible breeder does not have multiple puppies available for sale at all times. In most cases, they have waiting lists and will have potential owners for puppies before the dog is even bred.
They want to introduce you to the mom and dad dogs and are willing to show you where the pups sleep and play.
They will inquire about why you want a dog, your plans for training and care, and your home and lifestyle.
What Are Some Steps I Can Take to Help Stop Overbreeding?
Donate: Donate pet supplies or give monetary contributions to your local shelter to help support animals waiting for a loving home.
Support responsible breeders: If you choose to get a puppy from a breeder, research them thoroughly and make sure they are reputable.
Support Laws: Become educated on your state’s laws regarding responsible dog breeding, spread awareness, and support legislation that regulates breeders.
Summary
Overbreeding is hazardous to the mother and puppies. It can put the mother at risk for life-threatening illnesses, subject the dogs to unhealthy conditions, and to future health problems. You can do your part to prevent overbreeding by adopting from your local shelter, donating to needy pets, and researching and supporting reputable and responsible breeders who care about the health and welfare of their dogs.
Nicole has loved animals of all sizes her whole life so it's no wonder she has dedicated her career to helping them through what she loves best: learning, writing, and sharing knowledge with others. She’s the proud mom of two dogs, a cat, and a human. With a degree in Education and 15+ years of writing experience, Nicole wants to help pet parents and pets around the planet to live happy, safe, and healthy lives.
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2 Responses
Hello,
I have a question. MY husband and I just adopted a three-year-old pit-bull boxer mix. We were so excited to meet her and felt like we three already knew each other. The bond was immediate. She is even tempered, happy and loving. What little anxiety Bailey had dissipated when we go home. She seems to be comfortable inside as well as in the yard.
When we were at the humane society, we were given some history and all the standard paperwork. But, we didn't ask enough questions. We had been told that she had been at another partner center and was on the kill list for the day that she was transferred to this no kill center after the staff requested her. She was found to have heart worms and was treated successfully. She has been up for adoption for "a while".
We have noticed that her teats hang low. She also snorts when she eats. She snores intermittently when she sleeps. My question is do we need to worry about future health problems? Another question: will her nipples decrease in size after having been neutered? Thank you!
Hi Joan, thanks for getting in touch. Congratulations on adopting Bailey! It sounds like you've already formed a wonderful bond.
Regarding her snoring, it could be related to her anatomy, and therefore her breed, but it would be best for a veterinarian to examine her. They can determine if she has any airway obstruction and assess its severity.
As for her nipples, it’s difficult to say without seeing her, but the appearance of her teats and nipples could be due to previous pregnancies and lactation, it’s unlikely they will shrink significantly. Again, this would depend on how long ago she was pregnant or weaned her puppies, so a vet consultation would provide more clarity. 🙂
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What Is Overbreeding?
2 Responses
Hello,
I have a question. MY husband and I just adopted a three-year-old pit-bull boxer mix. We were so excited to meet her and felt like we three already knew each other. The bond was immediate. She is even tempered, happy and loving. What little anxiety Bailey had dissipated when we go home. She seems to be comfortable inside as well as in the yard.
When we were at the humane society, we were given some history and all the standard paperwork. But, we didn't ask enough questions. We had been told that she had been at another partner center and was on the kill list for the day that she was transferred to this no kill center after the staff requested her. She was found to have heart worms and was treated successfully. She has been up for adoption for "a while".
We have noticed that her teats hang low. She also snorts when she eats. She snores intermittently when she sleeps. My question is do we need to worry about future health problems? Another question: will her nipples decrease in size after having been neutered? Thank you!
Hi Joan, thanks for getting in touch. Congratulations on adopting Bailey! It sounds like you've already formed a wonderful bond.
Regarding her snoring, it could be related to her anatomy, and therefore her breed, but it would be best for a veterinarian to examine her. They can determine if she has any airway obstruction and assess its severity.
As for her nipples, it’s difficult to say without seeing her, but the appearance of her teats and nipples could be due to previous pregnancies and lactation, it’s unlikely they will shrink significantly. Again, this would depend on how long ago she was pregnant or weaned her puppies, so a vet consultation would provide more clarity. 🙂