The right to breed dogs (or cats, or hamsters, or bunnies, even!) continues to be under attack, spearheaded primarily by the extreme animals-rights activist groups who seek to eliminate the owner-pet bond.

Dedicated hobby breeders generally belong to their National breed club and as such, agree to adhere to a very strict code of ethics regarding the breeding and selling of their dogs. As such, the vast majority of responsible breeders will agree to take an unwanted dog back, at any time during its life, no questions asked.

So why are there pets in shelters? The radical animal rights groups like Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) would like you to think it is because of breeders. But how can this be? It is not the breeder who is turning these pets into shelters or dumping them on back roads to be picked up later by animal control. It is the irresponsible owner who chooses to do so.

If we buy a car, we research make, model, mileage, and performance. If we buy a house, we research the neighborhood, taxes, schools, and so forth. We make informed decisions as consumers. It would make sense, therefore, that we should research potential pets as well. We should understand their activity levels, potential health problems, relative shedding quotient, dander levels, etc.

There is no valid reason to dump a pet at a shelter. Certainly living circumstances can change, necessitating rehoming of a dog, but there are many options other than dumping it at a shelter. Breeders and breed rescue groups are dedicated to the rehoming of unwanted animals. Dumping a dog at a shelter is the owner's decision. Choosing not to spay/neuter a pet thus producing an unwanted litter is the owner's decision. Allowing a dog to roam is the owner's decision. Choosing to purchase a dog from a puppy mill rather than a responsible breeder is the owner's decision. Making an informed decision regarding the purchase of a puppy is the owner's decision.

Perhaps it is time to stop bashing responsible breeders, whose sole goal is to preserve the history of their chosen breed and to provide happy, healthy, well adjusted pets, and start putting some of the onus on the people who purchase them. Research your potential breed. Talk to other people who own the same breed. Visit your breeder. Your breeder will be happy to tell you the good as well as the bad points of the breed. Take responsibility for your purchase. And if you find you cannot keep your pet, please contact your breeder or your breed rescue group. Explore the options available before sending your pet to a shelter.