Whilst I understand the logic of their thinking, it is not quite that simple. There are a lot of "GOOD" breeders around and those of us that love the breed need them. Being a GSD lover means you want the breed to continue. We don't just want any GSD, we want the parents to be health tested and have good temperaments. Reputable breeders strive to improve their breeding stock. They choose stud dogs that they think will improve their lines and they also take the temperament into account.
GSD Welfare Fund was actually started by a group of GSD breeders and obedience people. In 1975 a GSD bit a child, and the press generated a lot of coverage. Owners that had had their dogs for years but who had children, suddenly wanted to get rid of their loving pet. The fact that their dog had never done anything wrong didn't matter one little bit. There was a lot of scaremongering about "how the GSD can turn any time". Because there was a surge of GSDs needing homes and not enough rescue space in the re-homing centres, some breeders joined together and formed German Shepherd Dog Welfare Fund. Many a time in the beginning, this group of GSD breeders/enthusiasts were paying kennel fees from their own pocket, especially our previous Chairman.
Most of the dogs we have come in are not from reputable breeders. Most reputable breeders send their puppies out with a contract stating that in the event the puppy/dog needs re-homing it must be returned to the breeder. I will not lie; we do have dogs come in from breeders who when informed do not want to know or do not want to take the dog back but on the whole most of them will do their best to help with the dog and lots of them even support Welfare.
The majority of the dogs that come in are from what we call "back street breeders". These breeders have a pet German Shepherd and think it will be "fun" to have puppies from her, or they see it as an easy way to make a quick buck.
This often means that they do not have any of the health tests done therefore giving no thought to the heartache they may cause the puppies' new owner later when the dog develops Hip Dysplasia or some other illness that could have been avoided, if the parents had been health screened. Lots of them do not conform to the breed standard. Many of the dogs being used to breed by these people are pet shop/back street breeders’ dogs themselves. All that matters is the money that they sell the puppies for. When put in a situation of a dog needing to come back to them, they either don't have the space or time to take it or generally just don't want to know. These are the majority of the dogs that find themselves in Welfare.
Of course, there will be times when circumstances prevent a responsible breeder from taking back a puppy they have bred. None of us know what is around the corner, or what circumstances we will find ourselves in tomorrow. We are more than happy to work with these breeders.
The bottom line is that RESPONSIBLE breeders should be applauded. We need them if we want our wonderful breed to continue. I know I do. In fact, I would love a puppy but my heart aches too much for the dogs we have in Welfare so if there is room in my home for another dog, the Welfare dogs take preference, but I don't give up the dream of one day having a fluffy bundle who I haven't got to take months to rehabilitate. Having said that, the love you get back from a rescue that you have had to work with is beyond words.
What I would like to see is the people buying puppies ONLY buying from responsible breeders. Parents that have been health tested. Parents that the breeder is happy to introduce you to so you can check the temperament. Breeders that take an interest in the puppy's life and not just take the money and wave goodbye. That is when Welfare and other rescues will not be constantly trying to raise funds to help yet another poor GSD.
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