Help DSFCA Stop the AB 1634
California Healthy Pets Act

AB 1634 requires that all dogs be spayed or neutered by four months of age. 

If such a law passes it will be the beginning of Danish/Swedish Farmdogs extinction.  The past twenty years responsible breeders have worked hard to rescue this breed from total extinction bringing the population to just a little over 3,000 Danish/Swedish Farmdogs in the world. Our long and careful battle to preserve and protect the breed will have been lost. California is home to three of the five breeders in the United States and they have produced over 55% of the total Farmdogs born in the United States. Presently one third of the total (84) U.S. Farmdog population lives in California.

My name is Flora and this is our story ...

I breed Danish/Swedish Farmdogs, a rare Scandinavian breed from the farmlands of Denmark and Sweden – a breed that dates back to the 1700’s.  The DSF is a working breed with many functions on the farms, in the cities, and in the hearts of their families.  This extremely versatile working breed is highly intelligent and trainable, and you will find them as ratters, livestock herders, hunting dogs, watch dogs, search and rescue dogs, therapy dogs, competitive dog sports dogs, Danish TV stars, show dogs and treasured family members.

In 1998, I imported from Denmark the first breeding female and the first US born Farmdog whelped in 2001. Currently, there are very few of these dogs in the United States (84).  The breeding program for the DSF is in its infancy and the majority of the breeders (3) currently live in California.  Our breeding program is carefully monitored by our breed club and all breeders are in compliance with the breed club’s meticulous breeding guidelines.  For a breeding program to preserve what is best in a breed, it can only be advanced carefully. Due to the rarity of the breed here in the US, and its limited size in its native countries, it can only be bred responsibly if done slowly and selectively.  Breeding too many litters within a short time period with the same foundation stock would result in a “breeding monopoly,” which could eventually lead to severe in-breeding.   DSF breeders typically have one or two breeding females and produce perhaps one litter from each female every other estrus cycle, which means at most we could produce two litters a year – usually less.  In the 6 years I have been breeding, I have produced 5 litters between two breeding females for a total of 19 puppies – all are currently healthy and living in families dedicated to them for their lifetimes.  DSFCA breeder pups are raised in our homes, well-cared and socialized.  Breeders do not part with their pups until 11-12 weeks of age because this is what is best for proper development of each individual puppy and for the selected families lucky enough to have one of these incredible little dogs.  Potential families are rigorously screened and puppies are placed only in the best of environments where the match between the puppy and the family promises success. There is little likelihood one will find this breed relinquished to an animal shelter because the families are committed by contract and ultimately, breeders commit to all puppies they produce for their lifetimes.  Making money is not our primary motivation.   DSFCA breeders are extremely ethical, producing a few puppies for the love of the breed and the idea of preserving the breed for the future.

AB1634 would severely and negatively affect our US breeding program because it discourages the type of breeding program I have described above and encourages “puppy mill” type breeding programs – breeding programs with money making as the primary drive rather than producing healthy, quality puppies.  DSFCA will never tolerate “industrial” kennels or “puppy mills” producing unlimited numbers of animals because it is unethical and we understand how this ruins dog breeds and adds to the unwanted pet population.    

Responsible, ethical breeders do not produce unwanted pets and they do not have “accidental” litters. Irresponsible breeders and pet owners will never apply for permits, and they will continue to produce unwanted animals “under the radar.”  Industrial breeders may apply for permits and business licenses and then crank out unlimited numbers of unhealthy and eventually unwanted pets.  AB1634 may actually increase the numbers of unwanted animals in shelters!

AB1634 does not address the health considerations associated with spaying and neutering animals at an early age, especially affecting the long-term health of working breeds or any dog (purebred or mixed breed) that participates in working or athletic events.

Pet owners must ultimately take responsibility for their animals. People need to be educated so they understand and accept the responsibilities of pet ownership before they acquire a pet.  Breeders need to screen their buyers to ensure appropriate placement of animals. Careless breeding should be discouraged through veterinarians, breed club organizations, public education, licensing incentives and low cost spay and neuter clinics.  There is a better way to address the issue – AB1634 is not the solution.

Sincerely yours,

Melody Farquhar Chang
Breeder, Kennel Flora
DSFCA Founding Board Member