From: Alena Thielert
Checked: Carla Steffen
Some people want a puppy from a breeder with a recorded pedigree and papers. A young dog that is well socialized, less prone to illness and has not yet experienced anything bad.
However, a few points need to be considered here: Classical breeding follows strict guidelines (1), where animals quickly fall off the grid. If the desired color tone is missed by a few nuances, the breed animal becomes a disposable product and in the worst case ends up as animal feed. But does being "too light" or "too dark" make an animal less lovable?
Torture breeding is also an alarming keyword. PBare noses that can barely breathe (2); short tails that no longer allow typical canine communication; bulging eyes and crooked legs - in breeding, the focus is often on appearance and, of course, profit, not the welfare of the animal. Some breeding forms even cause physical harm to the animals: Mussels, for example, quickly suffer from respiratory distress due to their flat snout (3). Color variants such as Blue Line or Merle are associated with such a strong genetic mutation that diseases are not uncommon: deafness and reduced eye size to blindness are common in Merle dogs (4), while Blue Line-look dogs not infrequently suffer from skin diseases that cannot be cured (5). And all this despite the fact that torture breeding is prohibited under Section 11b of the Animal Welfare Act. However, vague formulations, a lack of capacity on the part of the authorities and a lack of follow-up make these animal welfare violations possible (6).
As animal-loving dog owners, it is up to us to decide which animal we choose and what we turn away from. Because here too, demand regulates supply.
Most dog owners will have heard of the illegal puppy trade (7): dogs are bred in Eastern Europe under catastrophic conditions and offered for sale on online portals - cute puppies from alleged hobby breeders. But in reality, these are dog mothers degraded to birth machines who are forced to produce one litter after another lying in their own excrement in cramped cages. Dog-friendly food and medical care? Not a chance! When they are no longer "good enough", they are disposed of... The males, on the other hand, are pumped full of hormones so that they can constantly mate under the influence of violence such as electric shocks or kicks (8).
And the puppies are separated from their mothers far too early (usually after two to four weeks (8)
, which means that they not only lack the important mother's milk, but also the necessary socialization. Behavioral disorders and a weak immune system can be the result. Without the vital vaccinations, they end up being smuggled across the border by car, which means death for some puppies. Others are seriously ill. The papers are either missing or forged (8). According to the EU, 50,000 puppies are traded illegally in European countries every month.
In the past, conspicuously low prices were cause for suspicion. But today, dealers offer puppies at the same prices as breeders. This makes it harder to avoid this trap and uncover illegal trade. It is therefore important to think carefully about where the new addition to the family should come from. If you become aware of illegal dealers, you should report them to this link (9).
Around350,000 animals(10) end up in one of the 500 or so animal shelters in Germany every year, waiting for a new home, a new family. Whether abandoned, left behind, too expensive or too little time - animals with a wide variety of reasons for surrender are gathered here. But they all have one thing in common:They are lovable and deserve a second chance.They would like to swap the cage for their own dog bed and the hard-working but busy carers for a human of their own who will only pay attention to them. The shelter has animals of all ages, colors, sizes and traits. So there is a suitable companion for everyone.And that's not all: the animal keepers know their charges and can provide extensive help in choosing the right animal. This gives owners and dogs the opportunity to get to know each other and get to know each other. A great basis for a future together!
Would you like to look for "your" four-legged friend at an animal shelter near you?Here you can find an overview of animal shelters (11).
Adoption from a German animal shelter is wonderful and every animal deserves to be adopted. But some people want to go one step further and give an animal from abroad a home. After all, animals in German animal shelters are relatively well off. They get good food and medical care when they are ill. They also get exercise and cuddles from carers or sponsors. Animals abroad are much worse off: On the streets, in overcrowded animal shelters or killing stations, they fight for their survival every day.
When the peak tourist season approaches, so-called "clean-ups" take place in vacation regions: Roaming street animals are killed so as not to stain the cityscape (12). Then there are the animals in the animal shelters, which do not meet German standards. They are overcrowded and there is only whatever food is available. Even if it's just stale bread. Sometimes the dogs even eat each other. Sick and injured dogs run around with no prospect of medical care. Anyone who has ever seen the conditions in such a shelter with their own eyes will never forget the images.
The dogs in the killing stations, on the other hand, only have a certain amount of time (z.B. two weeks) to find a new home. If they don't, they have to die. Even at the best of ages and in the best of health. Pictures with mountains of dead dogs and the headline "...because no one wanted us." keep popping up on social media A fate that no animal deserves.
So if you want to save an animal from almost certain death, you should contact one of the countless animal welfare organizations that can be found on the Internet: Many specialize in one country, some even in a specific species. Here, too, the organization provides advice and is sure to find the right dog. Some of them are already in a foster home in Germany and can therefore be met before adoption. And after a successful adoption, a new dog can move up to the vacant foster home and therefore has the chance to find a great home too.
Although taking in a foreign dog requires more work and patience in some places, it is worth it. They show their gratitude every day. And it's a real pleasure to take steps together and feel success. A unique relationship develops.
Ultimately, everyone has to decide for themselves where an animal should come from.And the fact is that every animal deserves a dignified life.No matter where it comes from. Nevertheless, you are supporting certain structures with your choice, so the decision should be well considered.
The dogs in the
So we ask ourselves: if there are so many homeless and family-less dogs who want a family, a warm home and a full bowl, why do more animals have to be bred? So we would like to say:Please remember that every dog from a breeder means that another dog remains on the street, in a shelter or in a killing station
1) VDH (o.A.): Breed encyclopedia. <&;
2) Merkur (2019): Criticism of torturous breeding of pets. <https://www.merkur.de/leben/tiere/kritik-an-qualzuchten-bei-haustieren-zr-11738464.html>
3) Planet Wissen (2020): Cruel breeding of dogs. <https://www.planet-wissen.de/natur/tier_und_mensch/tierzucht/qualzuchten-100.html>
4) Planet Wissen (2021): Merle dogs - beauty with a genetic defect. <https://www.planet-wissen.de>
5) PETA (2020): These 17 "pets" are torture breeds - traits and diseases. <https://www.peta.de/themen/qualzucht-haustiere/>
6) German Animal Welfare Association e.V. (o.A.): Cruel breeding of pets. <https://www.tierschutzbund.de/information/hintergrund/heimtiere/qualzucht/>
7) Vier Pfoten (o.A.): Stop illegal puppy trade. <https://www.vier-pfoten.de/kampagnen-themen/themen/heimtiere/hunde/illegaler-welpenhandel?fbclid=IwAR1yit9Xj1euCsZahbyFabNXQ7vdpBeYXr3qANQQoq-xRDoCLik22YGVxHM>
8) German Animal Welfare Association e.V. (o.A.): Illegal puppy trade. <https://www.tierschutzbund.de/information/hintergrund/heimtiere/illegaler-welpenhandel/>
9) Vier Pfoten (o.A.): Report illegal puppy trade. <https://www.vier-pfoten.de/kampagnen-themen/themen/heimtiere/hunde/illegaler-welpenhandel/illegalen-welpenhandel-melden>
10) German Animal Welfare Association e.V. (o.A.): Animal placement. <https://www.tierschutzbund.de/organisation/einrichtungen/zentrum-weidefeld/tiervermittlung/>
11) German Animal Welfare Association e.V. (o.A.): Find the animal shelters in your area. <https://www.tierschutzbund.de/organisation/ueber-uns/tierheime/>
12) Planet Wissen (2017): Animals in the home. <https://www.planet-wissen.de/natur/tier_und_mensch/tiere_im_heim/index.html>
Alena Thielert
