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Why a Breeder Chooses to Rescue

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Cathy as a teenager and Ernie the Yorkie

Christmas morning 1980. Cathy with Ernie

Many moons ago, back in the day when no one thought twice about buying dogs in a pet store, and most people had never heard of a puppy mill, I bought my first purebred dog. I have had dogs all my life but this was the first dog I ever got on my own.

I was a teenager and Ernie, my little Yorkshire Terrier became the love of my life. Although he was a pet store dog, he was actually a really good specimen and I began to enter him in dog shows. He won some and lost some. He did exceptionally well in Obedience Shows.

Soon, I decided I wanted to get a female and breed them. My boyfriend at the time bought me a sweet little female named Chassie. He got her from a breeder and although she wasn’t show material, she had a wonderful disposition and intelligence that I knew I wanted in my puppies.

So I bred them. And they had puppies. My family kept a few, but most of them I sold. I was careful about who got them and even turned away a few people who I didn’t think would be good pet parents to my precious babies.

Do you know why I finally stopped? I went to a dog grooming school, graduated, and got a job as a pet groomer. I decided to offer my services free of charge to my local SPCA to help make the dogs there “pretty” and more adoptable.

It didn’t always help and it broke my heart to know dogs that I had spent time with and had grown to love, were euthanized because nobody wanted them.

I just couldn’t bring myself to bring more dogs into the world, when so many of them needed homes.

The decision was finalized when Chassie’s last delivery had complications and if not for the quick actions of my veterinarian, and the emergency surgery he did, she would have died.

Even if I wanted to, there would be no more breeding of Chassie. I make it sound like she was bred numerous times but in actuality, it was only a few times. I had planned to find a stud for one of her daughters that I had kept, but I immediately got her spayed.

This is one of the puppies I kept. Her name was Amber.

Amber the yorkie

So as time went on, it seemed dogs in need of rescuing just kept popping up into my life. Some were lost dogs and I helped find their owners. Some were abandoned and I either kept them or found homes for them.

It’s been going on this way for the last 30 years. In fact, that’s how I got Kilo, my first Chihuahua and fell in love with this breed. You can read the story of how I got her here: Kilo’s story.

Now I can say I have been on both sides. I have been a breeder and I understand the need for breeding by people who will strive to improve the breed and are not just in it for the money. However, I will never breed again.

I have to say here that I often see the controversy ignite on our Facebook page between the rescuers and the breeders. Some people get mad that I allow people to show pictures of their newborn puppies.

I try to explain that the Facebook page (and this site) is not for being militant against one side or the other. It is for Chihuahua lovers to be able to share their Chihuahua stories, photos, problems, and lives with each other. There are plenty of very good Facebook pages dedicated solely to rescue dogs. That’s not what I choose for our group to be.

I do however support adoption and rescue and try to share posts about dogs who need rescue.

But I will not judge those who choose to breed their dogs. That’s their decision, not mine. And I think of it this way. If all those who really love the Chihuahua breed stopped breeding their dogs, then the only ones left would be the puppy mills and backyard breeders. And no one wants that!

 Cathy signature Chi

Rikki Renshaw

Sunday 23rd of March 2014

yes== I agree -- responsibility is a huge part of being a dog owner-- no matter what-- including training them so both the dog and the owner are much happier -- I have learned a whole lot from my little fur-baby bec she is really a great little dog and highly intelligent too == until death do us part -- I say

Sher Morioka

Thursday 13th of March 2014

My little Sachi was bred for the first time in October of 2013 and we welcomed our four little babies on December 30. Many people have condemned my decision to breed Sachi because of there are so many dogs in need of homes. What many don't understand is the dogs available for adoption at many shelters come with a lot of emotional and physical problems. I bred because I have friends who really wanted a puppy like Sachi. All four of my puppies have gone to friends of mine who love and spoil them. The best part of having bred Sachi, is having the ability to see her puppies and knowing that their owners can afford to take care of them financially. I have bred dogs all my life, but never as a business. I am fortunate enough to know every single owner of every puppy I gave away. Sachi will not be bred again because it took a toll on her....I love all my dogs and understand why people are against breeding dogs, but just because the breeding stops doesn't mean those dogs in the shelters are going to be saved....many are in shelters because of irresponsible owners who didn't realize that the cute puppy they brought home was going to grow bigger and or become that yappy, irritating creature they never trained. All I can say is people need to take responsibility for their dogs...until death do you part...

frances

Saturday 8th of March 2014

My baby gidget is 5 years old.

Chi chi mama

Saturday 8th of March 2014

I have one Chi from a breeder after having a precious chi stolen from me. This current little guy has birth anomalies including a short lower jaw. He's been through painful dental as a result. I don't regret my purchase as he is my life and I gave him a good home. My second chi is a rescue but not from a terrible situation. A mom of a toddler felt her boy was just too rough with the chi. She was very choose as to where my new guy would go. My third is a chi cross that was rescued from a high kill shelter in Southern California. The rescue organization I went through is the best in my opinion. I do not support pet store purchases but if the breeder does not "cull" the undesirables I have no qualms purchasing a pure breed. I think every pet owner should consider rescuing at least one and fostering if they can. It breaks my heart that so many unwanted dogs are euthanized especially the senior dogs thrown away after years of loyalty. Please support rescue groups financially. I look forward to the day that only no kill shelters exist.

Geri Clerk

Friday 7th of March 2014

I will start by saying that I have nine dogs. Some were purchased from private breeders but the majority are rescues. I do not breed my babies. For be it would be to hard to part with them so I would never be able to adopt them out, but that is my choice. Ido think that people should consider going to their local shelter first, see what us there and then make a decision as to where to get their dog. Some people are active in shows and they require purebred dogs in order to compete. I just asked that you make an informed choice before you get you dog.

kilosmom

Friday 7th of March 2014

Good advice Geri.