Su Ann Quah shared these:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
If you are an owner of a pedigree, you are strongly encouraged to view these two videos.
If you are intending to purchase a pedigree, please watch it, too.
If you don’t mind a mixed breed or a local dog, please adopt one from the shelter or the many adoption drives for rescued dogs.
Coincidentally, I just heard a most disturbing story. Apparently, there is an animal lover who has been sheltering street animals for decades but also supports breeding on the side. The breeder that she supports is an illegal breeder who had been issued warnings by the authority, so the family is now “hiding” the business in a property out of town. Recently, the illegal breeder gave one of their “pedigree” puppies to this animal lover. Unknown to the animal lover, something is not quite right about this puppy. And obviously so, because if everything was right, they would have sold it off.
Now, this animal lover (who doesn’t know any better) wants to start her own breeding business and intends to breed this puppy.
Note that this puppy is “not quite right”. A genetically deficient (for want of a better word) dog will only breed more genetically deficient offsprings. Thus, a whole generation of genetically deficient dogs will emerge and unknowing and un-informed buyers (or worse, genuine pet lovers who are ignorant about pedigrees) will take these puppies home.
When things go wrong later, which will happen, because these puppies already have genetic defects, what will happen to them?
1. Brought to the vet for treatment which will cost heavy expenses.
2. Thrown out to the streets.
3. Euthanised.
Sad, isn’t it?
We respect the wishes of people who want to own pedigree dogs and especially those who are willing to fork out the expenses to give them the very best, knowing that pedigree dogs are higher maintenance pets than street animals.
But, in general, we really hope that in time to come, adoption of street animals will become “fashionable” and breeding animals will be a thing of the past.
If a local dog is too big, try a cat?
Comments
22 responses to “About pedigree dogs and what wrongful breeding does”
Pedigree or not, once you have adopted them, please do provide them with unconditional love. No matter how busy you are, don’t make it as an excuse to neglect them.
And to the dog owner who found out that their so called ‘pedigree’ is lacking on something, please don’t call them stupid cos’ it will hurts them so much.
I don´t want to support illegal breeders (and as we can see in the document above, some “legal” breeders are doing same rubbish), but the statement “hope breeding animals will be thing of the past” is quite strong and I don´t agree. The original purpose of breeding was to improve some abilities and attributes of certain breeds to be the best companion for human of certain needs.
I appreciate your job and understand your statement about street and purebred animals. But I really don´t wish the adoption of street animals would become fashionable in future, because I wish there will be no street animals in future. I am big lover of pariah-feral dogs and for me they are special kind of breed with their unique look and character. But in fact, they are not. It´s a mixture of original breeds of region with purebreds of irresponsible purebreds owners.
Stayed in Malaysia, there is one very unique breed – telomian. Where they are? Maybe in USA as 2 pairs of them were transported there around 70´s. I hope so, cause there are not much people who even know about them in Malaysia. Primitive dogs with climbing ability and blue tongue. You can recognize them in some local pariah dogs with blue spots on tongue and very similar shapes. But they are possibly lost forever.
Not everybody should breed, not everybody should have a dog. Its really sad to see Siberian Husky in Malaysia who is permanently locked in small compound and never walked. But even local street breed that is locked on the same compound and never walked. Sorry, but statement that If a local dog is too big, try a cat, is really stupid. I understand that you are trying to find home for strays or unwanted animals., but please, do not try anyhow.
It´s not simply like that: local dog is too big, so you should purchase some cat. In fact, you should purchase animal that suits you and you are able to suits the animal. Yes, dogs are more demanding, but leaving your cat 12 hours alone? Better think about hamster of fishes…
First of all, there should be solution to get all stray animals out of streets, and then to breed them properly. And the main question in Malaysia is still how to get stray animals out of the streets?
Dear Ms Kubinova,
In all debates, discussions and forums, you may disagree, but it is not necessary to call others’ opinions “stupid”. If you have been following this blog, we refrain from using derogatory remarks because it is most unbecoming of any mature and educated adult.
The statement “if a local dog is too big, try a cat” was written in jest. Do please learn to tell the difference between fact and humour. And humour aside, I have come across many people who decide on what type of animal based on their space constraint and time. A cat is smaller, requires less space and does not need walks.
“It’s not simply like that: local dog is too big, so you should purchase a cat.” You have grossly misquoted me. We have never advocated purchasing animals; we encourage adoption from the street. Do please get your facts right before condemning.
“Leaving you cat alone for 12 hours?” Kindly direct your criticism to the right person – who are you referring to?
“Better think about hamsters or fishes?” Are you suggesting that if a cat is not suitable, one should think of hamsters or fishes? But you just said “getting a cat in place of a dog” is stupid. Could you, by any chance, be contradicting yourself here?
“I understand that you are trying to find home for stays or unwanted animals, but please, do not try anyhow” – WHY? Many NGOs like us, have found homes for the strays and unwanted animals and we have found them wonderful homes. Why are you against that?
“First of all, there should be solution to get all stray animals out of street…”. Yes, Ms Kubinova – we get them adopted, or in other words, WE FIND THEM HOMES. That is our solution. What is yours?
We also get them spayed-neutered so that they will not breed anymore.
So, Ms Kubinova, we have a longterm ongoing solution. Pray tell, what is yours? Do share and englighten us, please.
There are those who condemn but offer no solution.
And there are also those who critique – they disagree, but they offer their constructive suggestions of a better, well-tested way.
Between the two above, I prefer the latter.
Thank you.
KY, no point wasting time with this Kubinova person. We kicked her out of our page and she’s been smarting since and speaks against adoption drives because we organise regular ones. Whatever she says has little relevance to us here and most of the time she knows not what she says. She advocates euthanasia and is against TNRM. I have evidence of this with what she has posted speaking against our promotion of TNRM. For someone who came here to stay for a while this woman certainly thinks she knows better than everyone else. Typical arrogance. Don’t come back Kubinova, we don’t need you here.
@Jana Kubinova: I actually didn’t quite get what you mean, until I read for a few times. If I understand correctly, you are probably referring to an ideal state, where there is no street animals, and if we human want a pet, we can get from responsible breeders. Nothing wrong, except that you are referring to an ideal state, in which Malaysia is still far from achieving it. If you have lived in Malaysia long enough, you should understand the devastated state of street animals in Malaysia. As a Malaysian, I know for a fact that there are only 3 fates these animals are facing:
1) live out their lives on the street, looking and fighting for food and shelter,
2) knock down by vehicles, die immediately or a painful death,
3) captured and put-to-sleep either at the pound or on the spot by the local authority.
Instead of talking about the ideal state (in which, of course we all would love to see), perhaps giving constructive suggestions on how to manage and handle the problem of street animals is a much important thing for everyone now. And note, euthanasia is NOT an option (I’ve just read @Wani’s comment above). If you advocate euthanasia of street animals, thinking this is the only way to ‘clear’ them all out from the streets, you should be ashamed of yourself to say that you are a lover of dogs (or any other animals) if you are not even able to appreciate their existence on the streets.
It’s true that everyone has the right to say what they want and express their opinion. I for one am totally for the freedom of speech…But spoken in a respectful manner. Whether one is for or against a certain cause/way of doing things, lay down your facts and be objective when you speak. Otherwise, you will just open yourself up to personal attacks from well meaning folks.
I wish for an ideal state too..But alas, that ideal state does not exist anywhere, although Ireland has made a start in the right direction http://www.irishcentral.com/news/Long-awaited-legislation-outlaws-puppy-farming-in-Ireland-136523433.html
For now, Dr. Chan and a lot of animal lovers in Malaysia will do what they can to reduce the population of strays WITHOUT incurring any deaths.
Ms.Kuppa Nova,
How many pets do you have? I mean real pets not the virtual ones like tamagotchi etc etc
Breeding of animals should only be done by responsible breeders. Who should buy from these breeders? Mainly people who intend to show their animals and to maintain the breed standards. Out of a litter of 5 puppies, perhaps only 1 puppy meets the full standards of the breed. What then happens to the rest? A responsible breeder would have these 5 puppies neutered and adopted to good homes. This is the simple understanding of who a responsible breeder is.
Unfortunately, there are a whole lot more backyard breeders who breed animals just for the sake of making money than we have responsible breeders. This is a sad reality. Animals from these breeders are usually straddled with poor health, removed from the mothers way too early which usually results in poor temperament due to lack of proper socialising and a whole lot more. And let us not forget the mothers and fathers who are made to breed continuously then discarded like garbage when they are no longer of any use.
I believe most of us would like to live in a world where all pet owners are responsible, street animals are managed through TNR, not mass euthanasia, which in the long run will result in no more street animals, no need for pounds, all our shelters are no-kill (animals surrendered because of extraordinary circumstances like the death of their owner), etc. While this may be something we probably won’t see in our lifetime, at least we can be proud to say we have done our parts through TNR, rescue, adoption drives, among others. What do you @Jana Kubinova, plan to do to help “get stray animals off the streets”?
Perhaps you have not lived in Malaysia long enough, but you will notice we refrain from calling our mixed breed dogs pariah-feral. The terms “mongrel” or “mixed breed” would be more appropriate. You might want to take a lesson on the various Malaysian cultures and a refresher on basic manners while you are at it.
I agree. As with animals there are the thoroughbred (pedigree) and there are those on the street, so it is with humans. There are well-bred humans and those who are ill-bred. And how do we judge which is which in humans? Not by appearance, by wealth or race, but by the language they use and the values they uphold. For a human who advocates killing street animals to solve problems, Jana Kubinova, we don’t know where to place you. For one who comes to another country and uses derogatory words to describe (even) our animals (pariah?), Jana Kubinova, you lack respect and manners, and this says a lot about you! Dare you call yourself an animal lover??
Jana,
While the original intention of breeders is to become God by improving the abilities and attributes of certain breeds so as to be the best companion for humans, many breeders are often overcome by greed to protect their investments. When things go wrong (and they do go wrong), many breeders very often dump their genetically deficient puppies or kittens on the streets or shelters or sell them to unsuspecting buyers. Do breeders have the right to treat their animals this way? What do you think of humans dumping their deformed babies? Animals have the same rights as humans.
If you go to any animal shelter in the Klang Valley, you will find lots of pedigrees dumped there, either by their previous owners or breeders. Just recently, the manager of a local shelter reported in the newspapers that many of the animals found in his shelter are pedigrees
(http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2012/2/23/nation/10790455&sec=nation)
I believe Dr Chan’s statement “If a local dog is too big, try a cat?” was aimed at families who are often influenced by their friends to adopt tiny pedigrees because of their size. Though the pedigree dogs may be small and cute, these families do not understand their long term responsibilities as their owners. Pedigree dogs need lots of medical attention apart from the care, love and attention. Very often, these families, when suddenly presented with the responsibility of providing their pedigree pets expensive medical attention, dump their pedigree pets on the streets or at the shelters.
Dr Chan was hence encouraging these families to adopt a local cat to avoid the prospect of dumping their tiny pedigree dogs in future.
We will never be able to get stray animals out of streets (at least for our lifetime) as they are far too many of them. But we can control the population of stray animals via CNRM which Dr Chan is advocating so strongly. If you have a better suggestion, we will like to learn from you. But as Dr Chan said, we will not support breeding.
But if as Ms Wani says, you advocate euthanising our street animals to get them off the streets, we do not welcome you at all. Killing is barbaric and only the worst of humans will resort to that. Please go back to your own country and suggest it there, and see if your fellow citizens will tolerate your barbaric suggestion. And while you are there, do consider taking a lesson in basic courtesy and good manners.
Don’t come to our country and condemn what we do when you don’t have any humane suggestion. We can do without the likes of you.
Thank you.
regards,
Kate
Hi Jana Kubinova, pls do some homework before you comment anything. Go & find out who is Dr Chan Kah Yein. Honestly i never meet her but she’s my inspiration to adopt 2 wonderful stray cats and also feeding stray dogs. Just by reading her 1st book, i salute this lady and family for all her sacrifice till todate towards voiceless furry friends.And who are you? which planet u r from????
And local dogs can always be refered as “LOCAL DOGS” not pariah. Who thought u this word? I totally agree with Cathy, you got to learn some basic manners.
thanks
My ONE AND ONLY question for the breeder is — WHY DO YOU WANT TO BREED animals?
When money is involved, especially when it comes to animals, there seldom good deeds come about. I think we should take a step further, why animals is involved?
I remembered the first time my mom came to visit us in NL. I thought it was a good idea to take her to a Russian circus happened to be in town. My husband obliged unwillingly. Later I found out, in his view it is cruelty to force a bear to stand and dance (which now the world is trying to stop), or other acts which involved animals performing unnaturally. And that was in 1980. He passed away 10 days ago. I am writing his wishes here — NO CRUELTY in any form. Cruelty sometimes do not look at us squarely. Sometime they even look fun and cute. They come in many forms. Look and dig deeper.
Hello Jane,
I’m glad to know that you do not support illegal breeding. This I think most of the readers here agree with you.
However, the problem, as I see it is the underlying discrimination about dogs that are bred in a controlled way and dogs that are born naturally. As I try to understand you, I think you are supporting the idea of all domesticated animals to be bred specifically and in a controlled manner. There should not be any natural births because this would “muddy” and “dilute” certain genetic traits. Therefore, there should be no street (or free roaming) animals because these animals are beyond the control of a proper breeding plan. If you are trying to say this in your comment above, I would be horrified and hope that my understanding of your statement is wrong.
There are so many reasons why this kind of thinking makes me feel very uneasy and I can only say the ones that seem obvious to me now.
For one, animals are not machines to be manipulated for the use and pleasure of humans. They are living beings who feel love and joy and misery with every right to live their lives as naturally as possible. It is human hubris to think that we have the right to manipulate animals and plants and natural processes to fit our needs. And it is also human hubris to think that we can and should.
Another thing that makes me very uneasy is the idea that animals should be bred according to specific traits (a telomian should have such and such features, etc) and animals that are “mixed” up are inferior. If you translate this kind of thinking into humans, you get an extremist fascist view about race. The most famous fascist in recent history is Adolf Hitler who believed that white people with blue eyes and blonde hair are superior and these people should be encouraged to breed and produce more white skinned, blue eyed and blonde hair kids. Humans with other colouring should therefore be killed – and they were killed in mass graves. It’s a horror and shame upon humanity that this could happen. Are you now saying we should also do the same for the animals?
And yes, let us all do our best to get the strays out of the streets because the streets are dangerous. Let us all do this by adopting street animals who are just as wonderful and loving as “properly-bred” animals. When adoption is not feasible, then let us work together to make the streets a safer place for the street animals. We can then in this way learn the meaning of humanity – mutual love and respect for others (human and non-human) who are different from us. Yes, we can’t save all animals, but we can start by being kinder to the animals in and around our homes. So though we still cannot save all animals, we can learn to be nicer humans.
The 2nd question I have is: why do OWNERs need to BUY a dog or cat? a special breed? Where there are so many of them being SLAUGHTER in the disguised and more sophisticated and perhaps nicer explanation – EUTHANASIA — Aah, ASSISTED KILLING ??
I was told a story, in order to breed a dog to a certain ‘white’ colour, a breeder has to keep breeding until perfection. Can you imagine what do they do with those that did not pass?
If you really love animal, love them for what they are. They do not have to be PURE breed, since NONE of us are ALL that pure ourselves, RIGHT?
Dear Dr. Chan Kah Yein,
I admit that using the word “stupid” was really stupid from me and please accept my apology. Really didn´t get your joke, but even you meant it, there was no point to label your opinion with this term.
People should not get cats instead of dogs, because even cat is less demanding it still need lot of care and attention, which are resembling with dog´s needs. Moreover cats have special personality, which not suits everybody.
But unfortunately lot of people still thinks that they can simply leaving their cat home whole day repeatedly, placing in cage or leave her roam around house. I am not referring to you or some concrete person, but generally talking about wrong notions about taking care of cat and purchasing cat instead of dog according to this. And I mentioned hamster and fishes as they need less care and attention than cats and dogs and they have no such strong personality to be worried about.
But once the sentence was written in jest, maybe there was no reason to talk about it and I should rather spent the time by learning how to determine humor in simple sentence written out of context.
Also my words that you should not try to find homes for animals ANYHOW was written because of this unfathomable joke. I am not against adoptions, but they should not be doing by hook or by crook. Like “Is this dog too big for you? Try cat!”, but this was already explained.
I respect your job and long term solution and I don´t want to teach you, how you should doing and it wasn´t the topic of my comment.
Apology accepted, Ms Kubinova. Thank you for your views.
As I said, I don´t support illegal breeders and I am saying now also those who act brutally to animals under their care or breeding knowingly genetically deficient animals. But just because there are people like that, we should stop breeding and buying purebreds? Do you really thing that all breeders are just evil guys that hunt for money and have no passion and love for their animals? Should purebreds just disappear?
Not everybody should have a dog, but once somebody decided that they are able to give him proper care and love, they should have opportunity to choose what king of dog will suits best to them and their families. And even that you are thinking that breeding is all about shapes, colours and money, it´s mainly about character. Certain breeds have simply some preconditions for something. There is no universal dog and to purchase small purebred companion dog is not a shame. And owners of purebreds should not be ashamed that they buy purebred instead of adoption even in country with high population of strays.
Possibly there would be no dogs without human, they are domesticated animals and their life is more or less controlled by human from beginning. Human created different kind of breeds and maintaining them for centuries and creating new ones.
And by the way, maybe purebreds are more predisposed to genetically deficient, but all NGOs and independent rescuers know very well their costs for rescued street animals, which are often affected by various diseases that have to be cure before adoption. And once we are talking about dumping animals, of course there is number of abandoned purebreds, but once you have paid 1000 or more RM for purebred you have think twice before dumping it. It´s sad but true fact that people appreciate more things that they bought than things that they got for free.
There is nothing like ideal country, there always be irresponsible breeders and owners as there always be thieves and murderers. The only way to reduce number or them and make your country little more “ideal” is to have proper legislation and punishment for this kind of people. And “ideal” states are not creating by rulers them selves, but by disappointed citizens.
And once many people would like to know my solution to get strays out of streets, there is my opinion, which I don´t want to push to anybody, it´s just my opinion. First of all, there should be proper legislation and punishment to control irresponsible owners and breeders. Every owner should be pushed by legislation to care of their animal properly, which can be done by compulsory and proper licence and michrochiping. Compulsory licence to every dog of proper age, which is vaccinated and spayed/neuter (except of registered breeders). Actual licensing of dogs in Malaysia is not ideal at all, as dogs are euthanized once their owner don´t want to pay fine and you can´t even find owner of unlicensed dog… Dogs should not be punished by irresponsibility of their owners, but owners should be easily found and punished. And my opinion is that the legislation should come before discussion about TNRM or euthanize, because one or second will not be effective without it.
And for all who have some problem with term “pariah dog”: http://www.websters-online-dictionary.org/definitions/Pariah%20Dog
Hmm. Do you actually know that regardless of what it means on Webster Online Dictionary, in Malaysia, ‘pariah’ means lousy?
Jana,
First of all, don’t use the term “Pariah” once again, have some respect, you give respect and you get respect. Regardless what the online dictionary may say here we consider that term to be very offensive. We think even the dogs shouldn’t be addressed as such that’s why we call them strays. I’m surprised you as a foreigner who comes to our country use such a term when you should have done your ground homework of our culture and the do’s and dont’s. You don’t require a PHD to know this.Even a low income labourer who comes to our country don’t use such term. Thank your lucky stars that you are not in India right now..if not you would have been “blessed with kindness” for using such a term. try using the ‘N’ word in the US (let’s say it means something else in your dictionary) You apologized for using the term “Stupid” but not Pariah in whatever the context is, you KNOW how offensive that is here to certain community. Go and learn some basic manners!!
and Dr.Chan,
Please do us all a favour. DO NOT publish her comments if she still uses the term. I don’t know about others but I’m finding it very offensive.Besides, I don’t think views from a PRO Euthanasia should be welcomed here.Thank you
Ahhh the debate between purebreeds and mixed. Frankly, all I can say is I would never want any puppies of my precious dogs to be entrusted to others. I expect them to be looked after by those who will want to treat them like family members, not guard dogs to be left out of the home at night, not a convenient ‘branded purse’ to be paraded during lunch, and certainly not a disposable toy when the fancies of having a cute puppy wears off. Hence, I’m very much in favour of adopting pets off the streets and neutering for the prevention of unwanted misery. Every dog (or cat) that you adopt off the streets, there will be hundreds more waiting for a warm and loving home.
As for those who prefer purebreeds, fine. That’s their choice and I won’t comment further on that except that if you can provide your pet with love, commitment and a safe home, good on you whatever your choice may be.
I have adopted 2 dogs and my family 4 dogs off the streets and from the pounds. Each dog is unique, beautiful and every so loving. And I do not remember the colour of their tongues except the warm loving licks when I come home.
If any to learn from the debate above, there are those who prefer a specific trait and look, and there are those who don’t. Please consider neutering your pet as well as there may be a lot of people out there who won’t blink at the thought of euthanasia.
PS: Responsible breeders neuter the puppies before they are purchased.
The main difference in buying a purebred dog is WHERE and WHO you buy it from. I understand that some people like certain qualities in a particular breed that cannot be found anywhere else (which makes sense–all dog breeds were bred for a specific look and purpose).
The problem is that MOST people do NOT do ANY research whatsoever before deciding to buy a purebred dog. Most will just drop by any petstore and willy nilly buy a dog from there without knowing that petstores get their puppies from disgusting, horrible puppy mills.
Even BYBs (backyard breeders), your average Joe who has two dogs and think it’s cute to breed them and sell puppies are horrible people to buy from. The often know nothing about genetic diseases, and none of their breeding dogs are health tested. Often, these dogs are not even fit to reproduce!