As you may know, many dog breeders are reputable and act responsibly. Unfortunately, there are also many irresponsible and unethical dog owners, like backyard breeders and puppy mills. They are known for overbreeding dogs for profit without any concern about the consequences, risks, and health issues for the mother or her litter.
The effects of overbreeding are the same, whether done in backyard breeding 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 dogs embrace the act of breeding dogs more than what the dog’s body can manage. The breeder is mating the dog more often than it should without any concerns for the mother’s health or the litter of pups. Overbreeding not only leads to health risks for both the mother and pups but also to overpopulation and euthanasia of sickly and unwanted pups every year.
Overbreeding can happen in two ways:
Dog overbreeding
Mating a dog more often than the dog’s body can safely manage.
Breeder overbreeding
A breeder breeding dogs on a larger scale and producing more litters than it can manage
Image By: Shift Drive, Shutterstock
What Are the Consequences of Overbreeding?
While the health and welfare of dogs is the number one concern from overbreeding, it is also one of the main contributors to unwanted dogs and lending itself to the problem of overcrowded shelters and rescues groups everywhere. Sadly, there are millions of these dogs being euthanized every year.
When breeders flood the market with these animals, they reduce the likelihood of animals from rescue groups, shelters, and reputable breeders being placed in loving homes.
1. Safety of the Dog
It is tiring for a female dog to nurse her pups, let alone doing so repeatedly without any rest. The bitch should rest for at least one cycle.
2. Failing to Consider the Breed
Responsible breeding includes doing health checks on puppies from the first and second litter and making the necessary changes with the next breeding. When a breeder rushes the litter, they are not allowed time to find a suitable stud and avoid passing on any defects that may be affecting the overall quality and health of the bloodline or the breed.
3. Putting Profit First
Overbreeding does the opposite of responsibly breeding puppies for profit. 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
Some risks associated with overbreeding include spreading parasites and deadly viruses like hookworm and parvovirus, along with hygiene concerns when dealing with multiple litters. The mother pup is also susceptible to life-threatening calcium deficiencies (hypocalcemia), malnutrition, mastitis, uterine infections, and dystocia.
While some may argue that continuously breeding a particular bloodline can also positively affect the breed, overbreeding not only puts the dog’s body at risk, but some health problems are common with overbreeding.
They include:
Hip dysplasia and other joint problems
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 being kept and bred.
The breeder is not questioning the potential buyer.
The person selling the dogs has several types of designer breeds or purebred pups being sold when they have not reached six weeks old.
If the seller does not offer you a 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 puppies on hand. In most cases, they have waiting lists and will have potential buyers before the dog is bred.
They want to introduce you to the mom and dad pup and are willing to show you where the dogs 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 that are waiting for a loving home.
Support Laws: Reach out to your local officials and let them know you support laws that establish exercise standards, care, housing, access to food, water, and veterinary care and limit the number of animals a person can own.
Summary
Overbreeding can be two-fold. Overbreeding a particular dog or breeding many dogs to the point of losing the ability to care for all of them. It can put the mother at risk for life-threatening illnesses, subject the dogs to unhealthy conditions, and subject the animals to future health problems. You can do your part to prevent overbreeding by adopting from your local shelter, donating to needy pets, and supporting laws protecting animals from these abusive practices.
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.
