

Raising the
Standard
Ethics, Responsibility and Buyer education


Accountability Starts With Placement
Written by Ashley Young, LakeHaus Kennels — Breeder, trainer, and advocate for purposeful, ethical German Shorthaired Pointer breeding.

Standard #11
One of the most common questions breeders hear is, “Why do you pick the puppies?”
Often followed by, “I’ve always picked my own,” or “My puppy chose me.”
It’s easy to understand why people feel this way. Many choices are made based on markings, color, or a brief moment during a short visit. In some breeds, puppies are selected extremely young — sometimes before they’re even mobile — simply because of color or coat type. There’s no real assessment at that stage, and no meaningful way to evaluate temperament, drive, or long-term compatibility.
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Key themes in this standard include:
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Why early or appearance-based selection is misleading
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How compatibility matters more than excitement or aesthetics
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The breeder’s role in long-term accountability
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Why placement decisions are part of ethical responsibility


Why Picking Based on Appearance Falls Short
Markings change.
Color tells you nothing about temperament.
And a quick interaction can be misleading.
That approach may feel exciting in the moment, but it often ignores the most important piece of placement: whether that puppy is actually a good fit for the home it’s going into.
There is nothing worse than having a dog who isn’t compatible with their household — not because anyone had bad intentions, but because no forethought was given to the match.

Placement Requires Experience and Evaluation
As the breeder, I spend every day for more than eight weeks raising, handling, training, and observing these puppies. I see how they respond to new environments, pressure, novelty, frustration, and success. I see patterns that simply aren’t visible in a short visit or early selection window. That daily exposure gives me insight into each puppy’s personality, energy level, learning style, and suitability for different homes.
This is why ethical breeders make placement decisions.
That doesn’t mean buyers don’t matter — quite the opposite. Placement is a collaborative process. Lifestyle, experience, goals, and preferences are all taken into account. Whether someone is looking for a hunting partner, a performance dog, a conformation prospect, or a companion, that information helps guide placement decisions responsibly.
Accountability also means using structured evaluation rather than guesswork. Puppies are assessed for structure, temperament, confidence, and drive through formal testing, real-world exposure, and daily interaction. Outside input from experienced breeders adds another layer of objectivity so decisions aren’t based on emotion alone.
And sometimes, accountability means saying no — or redirecting someone to a different puppy, litter, breeder, or even breed entirely. That isn’t about control. It’s about setting both the puppy and the family up for long-term success.

Core Principles

Placement Is About Compatibility, Not Preference
The best match isn’t always the most immediately appealing one.

Evaluation Beats Guesswork
Ethical placement relies on observation, testing, and experience — not assumptions.

Accountability Includes Saying No
Redirecting a placement is sometimes the most responsible choice.

Raising the Standard Means…
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Prioritizing long-term fit over short-term excitement
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Using structured evaluation to guide placement decisions
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Involving buyers without relinquishing responsibility
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Recognizing placement as one of the breeder’s greatest obligations


Takeaway
Raising the standard means recognizing that placement is one of the breeder’s greatest responsibilities. Because accountability doesn’t end when a puppy goes home — it begins with making sure they’re placed where they can truly thrive.