Breeding is also animal welfare - or pure arrogance? | Episode 15

Worlds often collide in the discussion about dogs from animal welfare organisations. "Adopt, don't shop" has become a moral battle cry - and anyone who decides in favour of a dog from a breeder is quickly seen as heartless or selfish. But is it really that simple? Good breeding doesn't just mean producing puppies, but also responsible selection, health care, temperamental stability and lifelong companionship. Reputable breeders not only prevent animal suffering, but also contribute to fewer dogs returning to the animal shelter because they advise their people carefully and are also there to help in an emergency. This article takes a critical look at why breeding can also be a form of animal welfare, where the boundaries lie - and why a one-sided moral view often does more harm than good.

Anyone talking about dog breeding should first understand what breeding actually means. Not every mating makes someone a breeder - and not every breeding has to do with responsibility.

Hobby breeders, commercial breeding, association breeding: What are the differences?

• Breeders: People who breed dogs without knowledge, aim or responsibility, often only for profit.

• Hobby breeder: Passionate, often with knowledge and care, but below the limit of commercial breeding (usually max. 2-3 litters per year).

• Commercial breeders: Officially registered, with conditions, but not automatically of high quality.

• Association breeders: Working under an association such as the FCI, VDH, SKG or ÖKV with clear rules, health checks and sometimes strict breeding standards.

Breeding is not simply "reproducing beautiful dogs" - it is a profound intervention in biology, genetics and the lives of future generations.

Every dog breed comes with genetic baggage. In German Shepherds it is often hip dysplasia (HD), in Collies the MDR1 defect (a drug intolerance), in Dobermans serious heart disease. Many of these risks have not been reduced - but increased - because for decades breeding was based solely on appearance. Thanks to DNA analyses, responsible breeders can now plan specific matings to minimise the risk of hereditary diseases. Good breeders invest here, but the tests are no guarantee of absolute health - they are just a tool that must be used responsibly.

Epigenetics: More than just genes at play

Epigenetics literally means "above genetics" - and describes all processes that switch genes on or off without changing the actual DNA sequence.

In breeding, this means that it is not only which genes a dog inherits that is decisive - but also which ones are activated or silenced by external influences.

An example:
→ A pregnant bitch that is experiencing stress (e.g. noise, not enough retreat, stress) passes these stress signals on to the puppies via hormones.
→ Studies show that stress hormones such as cortisol can set epigenetic markers that permanently influence stress regulation systems in puppies. Result: A genetically "stable" dog can still be more nervous, anxious or reactive because it was under stress in the womb.

Other influences:
✔ Nutrition (e.g. lack of omega-3, folic acid, vitamin B)
✔ Environmental toxins
✔ Use of medication during pregnancy

Epigenetics has already been studied intensively in humans, e.g. in premature births, depression, diabetes and cancer. Initial studies have been carried out in dogs - for example on stress during pregnancy or the effects of environmental toxins - but we are still at the very beginning. Many assumptions originate from laboratory animals or human medical models and are currently being transferred to dogs.

A responsible breeder ensures a relaxed, healthy pregnancy - because he knows that behaviour and health begin in the womb.

Health vs. beauty: overbreeding in dog breeding

In the world of dog breeding, there is an area of tension that could hardly be greater: On the one hand, there is the desire for beautiful, breed-typical animals - on the other, there is the responsibility to produce healthy, viable dogs. A closer look at current research and the practices of large breeding organisations such as the FCI (Fédération Cynologique Internationale), the VDH (Verband für das Deutsche Hundewesen) or the AKC (American Kennel Club) shows that these two goals often collide.

The problem starts with the definition of what a "perfect dog" is.
Breed standards dictate exactly what a dog should look like - from the length of the muzzle to the angle of the limbs. However, many of these standards date back to a time when genetic health hardly played a role. Instead, the focus was on aesthetics, performance or status. Today, we see the results of this in the form of over-typed breeds: French bulldogs that can barely breathe, dachshunds whose backs collapse under their extreme length, or Bernese mountain dogs whose life expectancy often does not exceed eight years.

Scientific studies show that targeted selection for certain traits is often associated with serious health problems. The problem of brachycephaly, i.e. the shortening of the skull, is particularly well known in breeds such as pugs, shih tzu and French bulldogs.
While the bones are shortened, the soft tissues (tongue, soft palate, airways) remain proportionally large - with dramatic consequences: Difficulty breathing, heat stress, eye injuries due to protruding eyeballs.

But other breeds are also affected:

• German Shepherds often suffer from hip and elbow dysplasia, not infrequently a consequence of the specific breeding goal of "deep hindquarters".

• Labrador Retrievers are selected for a heavy, bulky body, which promotes arthritis and joint problems.

• The Rhodesian Ridgeback has the iconic "ridge" on its back, which can be genetically linked to a neural tube defect (dermoid sinus).

The paradox is that these problems are well documented, but often cemented by the breed standards themselves.

The role of breeding organisations: Guardians of health - or part of the problem?

Associations such as the FCI are committed to the health of dogs - at least on paper. Health checks, genetic tests and breeding licences are mandatory, but they often remain on the surface. A dog can be "genetically healthy" if it does not pass on any specific hereditary diseases, but still suffer from breeding problems.
So the short nose remains short, the ridge remains a ridge - and breeders who actively work against this often come up against limits: Their dogs are suddenly no longer considered purebred.

Science is calling for a radical rethink here: away from ideals of beauty and towards functionality, health and strength of character. This also means critically revising breeding standards, "breeding back" breeds (as is the case with retro pugs, for example) and consciously promoting genetic diversity.

In the first few weeks of a puppy's life, the foundations are laid for its entire future behaviour. This so-called sensitive phase (usually 3-14 weeks of life) is a time when the brain is extremely receptive to environmental stimuli, social contact and emotional experiences. Everything the puppy learns - or does not learn - during this time has lifelong effects.

But what does that mean in concrete terms?

A responsible breeder will ensure that puppies at this stage:

• get to know different surfaces (grass, tiles, carpet, gravel),

• hear a wide variety of noises (hoover, street noise, thunderstorm, children laughing),

• Experience people of all ages, other animals, movement stimuli and environmental factors.

The aim is to raise a stress-resistant, socially competent and environmentally safe dog that is less prone to anxiety, aggression or insecurity later on.

Studies show that puppies that grow up in optimal conditions are significantly more resilient to stress and change.
Particularly relevant here is the interplay between genetic predisposition, epigenetic imprinting (e.g. through the mother's behaviour and stress level during pregnancy) and specific experiences in the first weeks of life.

A study by Serpell & Duffy (2016) showed that puppies that had positive experiences with people, places and situations in the first 14 weeks developed significantly fewer behavioural problems than dogs from low-stimulus, isolated rearing.

A good breeder does not see himself as a "propagator", but as a development companion. He observes closely:

• Which puppy shows which temperament?

• Who is more fearful, who is brave, who is calm, who is demanding?

• Which family suits which type of dog?

Particularly valuable: breeders who give take-back guarantees. Because they know that not every placement goes perfectly - and that responsibility does not end when the puppy leaves the house.

Raising a dog is not just a question of food and a whelping box, but of expertise, commitment and ethical behaviour.
A responsible breeder knows the current state of research, works together with vets and behavioural experts, observes closely, reflects on his work - and prepares each individual puppy for life in the best possible way.

Because what is missed in this short but crucial phase of life often accompanies the dog (and its humans) for a lifetime.

When dog breeding is discussed, worlds often collide: some see it as pure animal propagation, selfish hobbyism or even arrogance - others see breeding as an important contribution to maintaining healthy dogs with a strong character and strong temperament.

But where does the truth lie? The answer: It depends on how breeding is practised. 

Breeding is not animal welfare per se. But it can be if it is carried out in an ethically responsible and scientifically sound manner and with a clear focus on the welfare of animals and humans. Good breeding is fundamentally different from mere reproduction. It does not begin with mating, but with careful selection that takes health, behaviour and genetic diversity into account. A breeder who takes his responsibility seriously does not just think about demand or the market, but about the long-term welfare of the breed - and the individual animals he brings into the world.

This also means that not everyone who breeds dogs is a breeder in the positive sense. There is a world of difference between hobby breeding, commercial production and controlled, organised breeding. Particularly internationally recognised associations such as the FCI (Fédération Cynologique Internationale), the VDH (Verband für das Deutsche Hundewesen) or the SKG (Schweizerische Kynologische Gesellschaft) apply strict standards. These concern not only health checks, but also rearing, socialisation and advice for future owners.

This is a key difference that is often overlooked in the public debate. Reputable breeders not only accompany their puppies until they are handed over, but also see themselves as a point of contact throughout the dog's entire life. They advise on the selection process, reject dogs if people and dogs are not a good match and take dogs back in case of doubt. This sense of responsibility relieves the burden on animal shelters and helps to prevent animal suffering.

Another aspect that is often underestimated is the early rearing phase. This is where the latest scientific research comes into play, particularly from the fields of behavioural biology and developmental psychology. The first few weeks of a dog's life are considered a sensitive phase. During this time, experiences are deeply imprinted on the nervous system and have a lasting effect on later behaviour. Noises, backgrounds, odours, contact with people and other dogs - all these factors determine whether a dog will later be resilient, resilient and socially acceptable.