Honesty and openness in education – why do we need to talk about problems?

Being a breeder is about much more than cute puppies and prize roses. It is about responsibility, continuous learning and, above all, honesty – towards yourself, other breeders and puppy buyers. Every breeder faces challenges, but true "professionalism" is measured by how you deal with them. In this text, I will talk about why openness and talking about problems is of paramount importance in dog breeding.

1. Why is honesty important in education?

Dog breeding is based on knowledge, planning, and an understanding of heredity. No one can completely avoid problems, but being aware of them and learning from them makes breeding more responsible.

🐾 Health Promotion – If problems are not identified or talked about, they cannot be prevented in future combinations.

🐾 Keeping breeds vibrant – Every breeder has an impact on the future of the breed. Covering up problems can harm the entire breed in the long run.

🐾 Trust between breeders and puppy buyers – When you are open about both your successes and challenges, puppy buyers will trust you more. Honesty builds your reputation as a responsible breeder.

🐾 Educating new breeders – Talking about problems helps new breeders learn, avoid mistakes, and make better breeding choices.

2. What does openness in education mean?

Openness doesn't mean that every problem has to be shouted out in public, but important things shouldn't be kept quiet. Here are some examples of situations where honesty is especially important:

🩺 Health challenges and hereditary diseases

If there are any signs of hip dysplasia, epilepsy or other hereditary diseases in the breeding line, it is important to inform other breeders and puppy owners. This helps to avoid risky combinations and gives puppy owners the opportunity to prepare for potential health problems. Not all information is openly available, so talking about it is the only way to share it.

🐶 Temperament and behavioral problems

Not every dog has a perfect temperament. For example, if your own breeding dog or its offspring shows signs of timidity, excessive alertness, a strong prey drive, or other undesirable traits, it is important to talk about them. This helps breeders make informed choices and guide puppy buyers to the right kind of training. REMEMBER! Not all undesirable traits are undesirable for everyone, but the issue can be thought of in terms of the dog's adaptability.

📜 Breeding choices and their effects

Sometimes breeding choices don't go as planned – for example, a combination doesn't produce the desired result or the puppies show unexpected traits. Learning from these experiences and sharing them helps to improve breed breeding and also creates openness to failure.

🏡 Informing puppy buyers

It is important for puppy buyers to know what challenges their potential dog may face. For example, if there have been more sensitive individuals in the litter, it is a good idea to inform the owners of this in advance so that they can support the puppy's development in the right way.

3. Why are problems kept quiet?

While honesty is the foundation of responsible parenting, silence about it is surprisingly common. Here are a few reasons why I feel educators may shy away from openness:

😬 Fear of losing reputation – No one wants to be “that breeder whose line had a hereditary disease.” But the truth is, challenges can arise in every line – and taking responsibility is a sign of a good breeder.

🤝 Reluctance to admit mistakes – Every breeder makes mistakes, but admitting them can feel difficult and shameful. In reality, learning and developing breeding choices make breeding better.

🔇 "Others are doing it too" mindset – If a community of educators has a culture of silence about issues, it can be difficult for an individual to act differently as the fear of being stigmatized grows. However, increasing openness benefits the entire community in the long run.

4. How to increase honesty and openness in education?

✅ Be open about health and temperament results – Share information about your own breeding dogs and their offspring honestly. This doesn't mean that everything needs to be published on social media or on the website, but we are open about things when asked. Of course, for example, actively updating breeding information systems is important.

✅ Talk to other breeders – Honest, open and constructive discussions help you develop your breeding work and make better breeding choices. This is not about bashing others.

✅ Inform puppy buyers realistically – Don't embellish the truth, but be open about the strengths and challenges puppies may have.

✅ Encourage others to be open – When honesty becomes the norm, educators don't have to fear losing their reputation, but can focus on improving their education work together.

Summary – Why is transparency worthwhile?

🔹 Openness helps the breed develop in a healthier direction.
🔹 Honesty builds trust between educators.
🔹 Puppy buyers appreciate honesty and trust the breeder better.
🔹 Developing as an educator requires admitting your own mistakes and learning from them.

A responsible breeder doesn't just produce puppies - they also take responsibility for the kind of dogs that are born into the world. Honesty and openness are not weaknesses, but a sign of true professionalism and commitment to the well-being of the breed.