Dog Breeders in The Philippines - Good Luck.

[BrettGC]

No suprise really but I’ve found it really difficult to find dog breeders that comply to even the most basic precepts of reputable breeding as defined by Kennel Clubs worldwide and even the Philippine Canine Club Inc (PCCI).

Whilst never a breeder myself, my parents bred German Rottweilers for 35 years – yes, there is a difference between the German variety and the more common type; Germans are generally shorter and heavier, stockier if you like, and bred to maintain the herding and hauling instincts of their origin – so I have more than a passing knowledge with regards to what makes a reputable breeder.

Questions to ask your breeder:

1. Was the dam allowed to breed in her first heat? If the answer is yes, cross them off your list. Why? Many breeds reach sexual maturity before physical and mental maturity and the strain pregnancy can put on an immature pup is immense and can cause permanent damage to both the mother and the puppies as well as the strain of feeding multiple puppies is draining on the immature mother. The young mother is also generally not “responsible” enough to look after the newborns and they can suffer as a result. The hormones related to pregnancy can also cause permanent behaviour issues that a young dam may not recover from the same way an adult can. Depending on the breed, sexual maturity can be reached between 6 months and 2 years and normally in line with the size of the dog; the smaller the breed, the earlier it’ll be reached.

2. Has the dam been allowed to have more than one litter a year? If the answer is yes, cross them off your list. Why? While you can breed a dog with every heat (2-3 times a year, depending on the breed), this can cause stress on the dam and lead to unhealthy litters and long-term medical issues for the mother.

3. Has the mother had more than 4 or 5 litters in her life? Yes? No thanks. Reputable breeders will only allow 4 to 5 litters and then have the dog spayed while she is still young enough to be healthy and enjoy life. My parents worked on 4 litters per female then they were spayed and sold to trainers to become service dogs. There were a couple of occasions where a particularly beloved lady would stay and become part of the family proper but there were never more than 2 of these “house dogs” at a time to join the parade of miniature dachshunds and poodles. They didn’t have any male rottweilers, they paid stud fees.

4. Are the sire and dam separated genetically by at least 3 degrees? In simple terms, second cousins or equivalent in a pinch but ideally greater. If the answer is No, off the list. Inbreeding is bad for obvious reasons. My parents used to import breeding stock from all over the country and on two occasions overseas to diversify their lines.

5. Have both parents been genetically screened by a vet for known health issues specific to the breed. If no, take them off the list. This is expensive for the breeders so really sorts the chaff from the hay. The goal of any breeder should be to improve on the breed, any other consideration is secondary.

6. Other than the above also ask if the puppy has been socialised? Have they had at least their second set of vaccinations? Can you see both parents and interact with them? On the first question socialisation should begin as soon as possible, this isn’t just with people, but with other animals (not until second vaccination) as well as noises etc. The earlier a dog is socialised, the less chance there is of behavioural issues later. On the second question a puppy is not old enough to be properly weened until about the same time as they have their second shots so not old enough to go to their new home unless the prospective owner has experience in hand weening. On the third question their temperament is a pretty good indication of the puppy's demeanour. It’s not always possible to see the sire as he may have been a paid stud dog so not be available.

7. Do you have paperwork to back all this up? Ask for it.

8. Has the breeder quizzed you extensively on your experience and if possible visited where the puppy will be kept? Have they given you access to resources to assist you in your dog parenthood journey? Breeders should be satisfied that the new owner of one of their puppies should be in a safe, secure and loving environment.

My parents did make a profit annually on their breeding kennel but it was minimal and they did it out of love for the breed and dogs in general. Yes, the breeding stock was kept away from the house but they were still treated with love, affection and cared for as much as the “inside dogs”.

Having said all that, our Japanese Spitz was a semi-rescue, he was from a breeder but the runt of the litter and pink pigmentation on his nose and inside his mouth so we got him cheap.

Funnily enough our next dog will be a rescue from Dumaguete Animal Sanctuary. I love all dogs, pure-breeds, mongrels and everything in-between.

I could go on about the issues here in PI with most dog owners that we all witness daily but unless they bring in mandatory registration, micro-chipping, de-sexing, vaccination and start enforcing animal protection laws there’s not much point.

There’s no such thing as a bad dog, only bad dog owners.

[Possum]

1 hour ago, BrettGC said:

 

I could go on about the issues here in PI with most dog owners that we all witness daily but unless they bring in mandatory registration, micro-chipping, de-sexing, vaccination and start enforcing animal protection laws there’s not much point.

 

There’s no such thing as a bad dog, only bad dog owners.

Rabies vaccine is mandated by law. Dogs are supposed to be leashed or confined too but like most laws here they are not enforced.

I used to train competitive retrievers. The dogs were for the most part pretty easy to train. The owners were much more difficult to train. Many insisted saying 'stay' after the 'sit' command. How can a dog NOT 'stay' unless it either disobeys the sit command or slides its rear across the ground? The dogs had to learn a lot so simple was better but most owners watched too many TV dogs.

I would really like to get a well bred dog here that was a few degrees away from inbreeding but difficult to find. The dog that came with the wife suffices nicely once he learned to stop speaking so much.

[CebuAndy]

Incredible informative OP, I learned so much from this.

Also in Thailand, quality breeders are far between. In a country with million of dogs in the streets everywhere, few thais seems to care. Only those who love tiny (handbag size dogs) seems to care to buy from breeders who breed from quality, rather than quantity.

If I ever buy a dog again (4th) I would follow your manual.

👍

🙏

Edited November 30, 2022 by CebuAndy

[Mike J]

We currently have two Aspin (local dogs).   I have had dogs my entire life and I these two dogs are the most loving and affectionate dogs I have ever had.  One was given to us by a pastor, the other was an abandoned puppy.   Both are females and we had them spayed.  They are a companion dogs as well as a watchdog and sleep outside at night.  Very gentle but quick to bark when anyone comes to the gate.  If people as me the breed I tell them they are BMDs.  Then I explain that BMD stands for "Basic Model Dog".   Any future dogs I may need will be BMDs and free to boot! 

A little song I used to sing to my wife; "Sure do like my honey, and I love her dogs."  

[BrettGC]

11 minutes ago, Mike J said:

We currently have two Aspin (local dogs).   I have had dogs my entire life and I these two dogs are the most loving and affectionate dogs I have ever had.  One was given to us by a pastor, the other was an abandoned puppy.   Both are females and we had them spayed.  They are a companion dogs as well as a watchdog and sleep outside at night.  Very gentle but quick to bark when anyone comes to the gate.  If people as me the breed I tell them they are BMDs.  Then I explain that BMD stands for "Basic Model Dog".   Any future dogs I may need will be BMDs and free to boot! 

A little song I used to sing to my wife; "Sure do like my honey, and I love her dogs."  

Same as us Mike, our next dog will be an Aspin.  They seem to be great natured and laid back.

[Mike J]

@BrettGC be sure to put your shoes up where the puppy can't reach them. 

[Possum]

5 hours ago, BrettGC said:

Same as us Mike, our next dog will be an Aspin.  They seem to be great natured and laid back.

I asked my wife what kind of dog we have and she said Filipino, so I looked for a photo of an Aspin. By golly that's what we have and its truly good natured and has a different bark for different occasions. He was easily trained ,walks at heel, lays down or sits when told,barks when needed and is a pleasure. In the mall we noticed all the diapered, coiffed , yippy little pretty dogs and I mentioned we should bring him someday. My wife thought I was out of my mind and my daughter said he'd pee on the Christmas tree. But it would be a terrific photo op.

[Onemore52]

My eperience with dog breeders in the Philippines is the same trust value as motor mechanics, air con people, auto electricians, plumbers, painters, candle stick makers, the whole nine yards.

 

Trust value..ZERO.

add Maids to the list as well.

Edited December 1, 2022 by Onemore52
Omission

[hk blues]

55 minutes ago, Onemore52 said:

My eperience with dog breeders in the Philippines is the same trust value as motor mechanics, air con people, auto electricians, plumbers, painters, candle stick makers, the whole nine yards.

 

Trust value..ZERO.

[Onemore52]

Not being picky, is the local native dog called Askals? Or Aspins?