Your article ‘Buyers beware’ (The NEWS, August 12) points to an all-too-common problem in dog breeding. There are some dog breeders of integrity but they, in my experience, are few and far between.
When I was a lad in the 1930s, it was common for large dog breeds to live from 17 to 21 years, not today. Today, breeders breed for what can be seen, that is coat and colour, conformity, etc., and forget health, temperament, intelligence and longevity that are not apparent to the eye.
It is common that every pup birthed is sold including those pups that never should be placed on the market, both purebred and mixed breed. I, too, was bitten by a Comox “breeder” for $800. Breeders rely on one’s emotional attachment to a pup when they are not ethical breeders but rather backyard breeders trying to make a buck no matter what.
Buyers should have a guarantee in this completely unregulated industry and I would suggest your readers use the Internet and view ethical breeder/seller guarantees at Vancouver German Shepherd Breeders — see their Code of Ethics — and the Canadian Cardigan Corgi Club Code of Ethics.
I have a single page declaration for an ethical breeder to sign that I would be pleased to share with potential buyers.
The initial cost of a pup is usually the least expensive cost associated with pet ownership.
Tom Good
Qualicum Beach