Through programs like National Desexing Month or Low-Cost Surgery Schemes, responsible dog owners are strongly encouraged to desex. In some parts of Australia, it is even mandatory.
Experts estimate that there is a demand for about half a million new puppies in Australia every year.
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Many desexed family pets are the ideal parents of the next generation of family companions, having demonstrated their ability to fit in with family life. Yet by desexing as early as possible, we are removing the best source of happy, healthy pets from the doggy gene pool.
Responsible pet owners and dog breeders can work together to create ideal companion animals and reduce the number of unwanted or dangerous dogs that are left in shelters.
We want happy, loyal pups.
We have created hundreds of breeds to meet these preferences. To meet these needs, we have developed hundreds of breeds. Australian pet owners value dogs who are friendly, affectionate, obedient, and safe around children.
These dogs are a mixture of nature and nurturing. The genetics of most temperamental traits, such as aggression in dogs, are well-known. For dogs bred to perform specific tasks, like police work, they are assessed on their physical and behavioral traits.
Working dogs are carefully selected for the right psychological traits. AAP Image/Julian Smith
If we want to be a companion who is happy and safe, then we must choose breeding dogs that have the right characteristics. It all starts with selecting parents that have the same traits. Dogs that would make perfect family pets were often family pets themselves so that owners could rely on their years of experience.
The early life of a puppy is crucial for the development of a pet. equips pups with life skills by raising them in a rich environment with lots of affection. This experience should include regular playtimes with humans, and exposure to the modern home. These requirements emphasize the importance of considering where dogs are from.
Professionals, amateurs or irresponsible owner
We don’t know where Australians buy their pets but we can assume that there are three major sources: commercial breeders or hobby breeders and people who do not desex their dogs.
Even the best commercial large-scale operations may find it difficult to provide puppies with the attention they require early on in their lives.
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While recreational breeders are motivated to give their dogs the best possible care, they may not choose their breeding dogs based on their performance as pets.
They may instead focus on the success of their dogs in the show ring, or on pedigree lines, resulting in expensive dogs that are not well-suited to being great pets.
What about the source of the family pet – owners who do not desex their dogs? Desexing at high rates excludes the “responsible owner” dogs from the gene pool, while only irresponsible dog owners will allow their dogs breed. The resulting puppies may not have the desirable traits that prospective owners are looking for.
Visit a local animal shelter, and you will see the tragic results of the accidental matings between the wonderful dogs looking for a new home. Every year, Australia shelters receive thousands of surrendered dogs.
A new approach to breeding will be needed in order to ensure future generations of companion dogs that are successful. It is important to develop and enforce a strategy which restricts who can breed and penalizes those who do not follow the rules.
Breeders should be taught about the importance of careful parent selection and early experience in raising puppies that are suitable as pets.
The final piece of the puzzle is the collaboration between responsible breeders, pet owners and the breeding process.
Who is a good boy? Whoosa good boy? Who is integrating well into the family? You are! You are! DORIS META F/Flickr, CC BY-NC
The best companion dogs would be allowed to pass on their genes to future generations if more responsible dog owners encouraged them to not desex their dogs too early, but rather to wait until they have thoroughly assessed their dogs’ health and behaviour.
