Raising the
Standard
Ethics, Responsibility and Buyer education
Responsibility Starts With Intent
Standard #1
Written by Ashley Young, LakeHaus Kennels — Breeder, trainer, and advocate for purposeful, ethical German Shorthaired Pointer breeding.
Ethical breeding does not begin with a litter on the ground — it begins with intent.
Long before a breeding ever takes place, responsible breeders must understand why they are breeding, what they are trying to preserve or improve, and what responsibility they are prepared to carry if things don’t go as planned.
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Key themes in this standard:
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Why intent matters more than outcomes
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The long-term impact of breeding decisions
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Responsibility that extends beyond the litter itself
Responsibility Begins Before the Breeding
Ethical breeding does not start with a litter on the ground.
It starts with intent — long before a breeding ever takes place.
A breeder’s responsibility begins with asking why. Why this breed? Why this pairing? Why this dog, and why now? What are you trying to preserve, improve, or contribute — and just as importantly, what are you prepared to take responsibility for if things don’t go exactly as planned?
Intent matters because every breeding decision has long-term consequences. The dogs we produce don’t just exist in a vacuum — they go on to live in homes, shape families, impact the breed as a whole, and represent the programs they came from for the rest of their lives.
Responsible breeder intent is deliberate, not convenient.
Purpose, Accountability, and Hard Decisions
Intent means breeding with purpose, not pressure.
It means understanding that “can be bred” is not the same as “should be bred.”
Responsible breeders are willing to hold dogs back, remove dogs from a breeding program, or change direction entirely when the outcome doesn’t align with what is best for the breed. That willingness is part of ethical accountability — not a failure of the program.
Ethical intent also extends beyond the sale. It includes educating buyers honestly, matching puppies thoughtfully, and standing behind the dogs you produce — even when it’s inconvenient, uncomfortable, or costly.
Not every breeding will go perfectly. Not every puppy will turn out exactly as hoped. Ethical breeders understand this and plan accordingly. They don’t breed with the assumption that everything will work out — they breed with contingency, accountability, and the willingness to make hard decisions if it doesn’t.
Core Principles
Intent Must Be Deliberate
​Ethical breeding starts with clear, honest goals — not convenience, trends, or demand.
Responsibility Outlasts the Litter
Breeders are accountable for the dogs they produce long after puppies go home.
Ethics Require Hard Choices
Responsible breeders are willing to change course, even when it’s difficult or unpopular.
Raising the Standard Means…
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Breeding with purpose, not pressure
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Being honest about goals, limitations, and outcomes
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Accepting responsibility beyond the point of sale
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Planning for accountability — not perfection
Takeaway
Raising the standard starts with breeders being honest with themselves — honest about their goals, honest about their limitations, and honest about whether a breeding truly serves the breed or simply serves the program.
Because responsibility doesn’t begin at pickup day.
It begins long before a breeding ever takes place — with intent that is thoughtful, deliberate, and honest. Ethical breeding isn’t defined by outcomes alone, but by the accountability a breeder is willing to accept from the very beginning.