We often welcome a great number of genuinely kind puppy enthusiasts. When we have to tell them, regrettably, that we can’t offer puppies of our own because our waitlist is more than full, their disappointment is understandably strong.
When we then raised the option of a breeding-rights dog in the past, the suggestion often shocked them, as though we’d suggested something unethical.
For us, responsible dog ownership and breeding mean that all involved parties (and especially those entrusted to our care—the dogs!) should experience no drawbacks in their lives. The breeder’s dilemma lies in the tension between strict, uncompromising selection, ensuring a good life for each individual dog, and the need to keep one’s own numbers manageable. After all, our dogs also have a right to live happily as family members.
For us personally, this means not letting go of our own dogs that we believe are unsuitable for breeding, simply because they cannot be bred. The majority of our dogs are not intended for breeding, and that’s perfectly fine. Exceptions are made only for dogs that do not integrate into our group well or for young dogs under one year old whom we believe could adapt easily to a new home without distress.
One approach might be to stop breeding altogether now that we have a full household and can’t retain endless dogs from our litters. At this point, some breeders decide either to rehome dogs or to limit the lives of their own animals (with kennel housing, reduced engagement, etc.). Others might convince themselves that their dogs, though not exceptional representatives of the breed, still meet the standard (for example, interpreting timidity as simply having had a bad experience or seeing a knee issue as trauma-related). Neither of these options suits us.
Stopping breeding is, indeed, one way to address the issue.
At the moment, however, we have decided to explore breeding rights as an option. This specifically means that particularly promising puppies from our own litters may be retained only if they fully meet our requirements (physically/health-wise as well as temperamentally). Depending on the owner’s preference, breeding most likely occur only once in the dog’s life or a second time, depending on the owner’s wishes and the quality of the first litter. All breeding-related health tests for these dogs are covered by us—even if the results aren’t favorable. Additionally, owners receive compensation for entrusting their dog to us for this period—it’s not about profit but about preserving this remarkable breed with thoughtfulness and care.
This entire process rests on mutual trust between us and the puppy owners and, we recognize, isn’t for everyone. After all, you’ll miss your beloved family member for about nine weeks. Still, we view this as a dog-friendly way to manage selection responsibly, and we’re glad there are people who are willing to be a part of this approach.
Many people worry that a dog might become stressed when moving to another environment during late pregnancy. However, we can say that our experience has been overwhelmingly positive. We create a calm and relaxed setting here, and once a dog has her puppies, she’s entirely focused on them—stress has never been an issue. Owners are welcome to stay with their dog for the birth and visit at any time to reassure themselves that all is well. We’re also happy to connect them with others who have gone through this process and can provide honest feedback.