Unplanned pregnancy....

[BabyElephant]

OK, here’s what happened, a new colleague comes in and starts talking to me about his daughter who phoned him Sunday morning and said “Dad, guess what, xxxx has had puppies!” So I ask no end of questions (I am nosey!)

Was it planned? No

Did she know she was in season? No

Did she know she was pregnant? Only when the puppies came out – she thought she was getting a bit fat!

Does she know who the dad is? Yes, she has a male and female Jack Russell.

So was she planning on breeding them eventually? No – she knows nothing about breeding dogs.

Is she going to get her fixed now she’s had the puppies? Don’t know – why would we want to do that.

Then he says to me, well she already has homes for 3 of them, they have given her £150 for then so the money will be good as she wants to get her daughter christened and she can’t afford it. But now she’s got the puppies to sell so she’ll have plenty of cash.

I am really worried about these puppies because they have not been brought in to the world under ideal circumstances and his daughter doesn’t work and therefore doesn’t have the money to take them to the vets if they need any treatment. Also I think that because she is in financial difficulties that she will see this as a way out and breed from her every season. It just upsets me to hear of these things, especially when my colleague knows I am a “dog person” he seems to think it’s great that she’s had these puppies and is going to get all this money… it’s not a good enough reason IMO!

[Dax]

What can you do? What's done is done.

You might want to lend them one of your breeding books or recommend some they can pick up. Since there are people who are willing to pay her for her unproven, unplanned dogs, it is unlikely that any advice is going to sway them.

[Country-Side Br]

You're right...it's not a good enough reason. The even sadder part is that once they realize that "they can make money" they'll keep doing it and we all know how loud money can be to someone in need. It is sad for the puppies. I guess all you can do is keep updated on them and make suggestions to them in order to keep the pups healthy and to strongly suggest taking some of the money and using it for sterilizing...whether it's the male or female...if nothing else, state the health benefits of having it done.

[OhBoy!]

Well, in my opinion, I respect breeders. I know breeders love the dogs they breed, but they are breeding for money. They make it a living kind of. I like they dedicate their time, and take care of the puppies and make sure they are healthy. But they are still breeding for money. I don't see any breeder giving pups away to good homes, just selling them. So if you think about, all people who breed dogs are looking for cash. Unless it's an accident, then they give the puppies away. SOMETIMES. (I haven't seen a free puppy add for months)

Even a mutt mix I found in the paper was like, 300 dollars. A mix of five different dogs and was two years old. I mean, everyone is looking for a buck. No matter if it's for all the costs they used to take care of the puppies, or if they do need the extra money for personal reasons.

I think it's wrong they are going to keep using her for puppies. But if they are healthy and they can get the money for it, since they really need it, then there is really nothing you can do.

I bet that sounds dumb. :P

[Country-Side Br]

Originally Posted by OhBoy!

they are breeding for money. They make it a living kind of. No matter if it's for all the costs they used to take care of the puppies.

Then it's not making a living at it, is it? A good breeder (unless they run litters constantly year round) doesn't make money at it...they're lucky to break even when all is said and done...there are many "behind the scene" costs that many people don't realize...and if we were to add up our time (even at minimum wage) we'd be losing money...a lot of it.

[BrittaniaKennel]

i under stand what ohboy is saying but not every breeder breeds for money, for example i just had a litter of 4 pups 2 dams and 2 males i kept a male back for my self and the other male went to sweden for free to a close friend ,and one dam i gave to my uncle and the other my brother has got, if any thing i was about 1000 pounds out of pocket , ihave had 4 litters in the last 5 years and havnt yet sold a dog,,, i leave that to the other breeders of the breed

[lissadi]

OMG Patty, it is funny this came up, I was thinking the same thing the other day. IF I break even monetarily wise I will say I have been successful. BUT, just having these puppies in my life, has changed me forever!

Here are some of my costs:
Stud Fee $1000
Shipping to Stud $596
Ultrasound $30
Urinary Tract Infection $50
X Ray $40
Triggers Hip Cert $50 (? approx)
Triggers Eyes Cert $42
Whelping Kit $56
Whelping box and supplies $105
Light and bulb and thermostat $25
C Sec $249
Dew Claws Removed $44
Wormer $8
Vitamins $23


Here are some upcoming costs
Puppy shots (?) at 2,4,6,8,10 weeks
Puppys microchipping $25 A PUPPY
Puppys Eyes Checked $22 A PUPPY

Regardless as to the cost, if our puppies goes to a good home, is loved by a child, retrieves ducks for Daddy, I will consider this a success!!!

[Country-Side Br]

Let's also take into consideration these things:
Electricity for the heat lamps and laundry
Water, detergent and bleach for the laundry
Food for both Mom and pups
Equipment needed in order to get set up...whelping box, delivery supplies (gloves, surgical scissors, iodine or kwik stop, syringe bulb, scale, toweling needed for cleaning pups, Oxytocin for Mom, syringes for oxytocin, etc), bedding, etc.
Supplies needed to keep the area clean and free of parasites, diseases, etc.

I, too, am sure there's more...but these are just the things on top off the top of my head.

Bottom line is like you said, Lis...and that's that they are kept up to the breed standards, are used for what they are meant to be used for and go to excellent homes.

[Moo]

On the same note, Patty, a poor breeder may not even supply all of those things. Who knows how you would have no clue that your dog is pregnant, but she likely didn't have a box set up, nor a scale on hand.

And what you do end up with, is unhealthy puppies, and mommy in deteriorating health in return for a profit.

It's just upsetting.

[Blaze]

BabyE, that's sad about your colleague's daughter being so irresponsible. I always hate hearing stories of people like that. I wish I had some useful advice but I don't, like the others have said there really isn't much you can do now. I remember Lilly's breeder telling me about a BYB who was breeding her dog for money and she took her to the pound and showed her all of the unwanted dogs, resulting from unplanned pregnancies by the end of their trip the people had convinced her to sterilize her male dog. If only that could work in all cases!! But the books are a really good idea - you can't change what's happened but you could hopefully inform her on how to take the best possible care of her mother dog and the puppies.