Raising the
Standard
Ethics, Responsibility and Buyer education
Purpose Defines the Program
Standard #2
Once intent is established, purpose must follow.
A responsible breeding program should be able to clearly explain why a dog is being bred — not in vague terms, but with direction, priorities, and long-term goals in mind.
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Key themes in this standard:
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Why purpose prevents programs from drifting
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How clear goals guide breeding decisions
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Why purpose builds trust with buyers
Written by Ashley Young, LakeHaus Kennels — Breeder, trainer, and advocate for purposeful, ethical German Shorthaired Pointer breeding.
Purpose Is the Answer to “Why This Dog?”
Once intent is there, purpose has to follow.
A breeding program should be able to clearly answer a simple question: Why are you breeding this dog? And the answer should be more than “because they’re nice” or “because people want puppies.”
Purpose is what keeps a program from drifting. Without it, decisions start being made based on what’s easy, what’s popular, or what’s available at the time — not what actually serves the breed in the long run. Over time, that lack of direction leads to inconsistency, compromised standards, and programs that no longer reflect what they claim to value.
Purpose gives a program its spine.
Direction, Discipline, and Honest Evaluation
Every program doesn’t need to look the same. Some breeders prioritize structure and type. Others focus on performance, temperament, versatility, or a balance of all of it. There isn’t one “right” goal — but there does need to be a goal.
Purpose gives direction to which dogs you keep, which dogs you place, and which ones you choose not to breed at all. It provides a framework for evaluating dogs honestly — not emotionally — and for making decisions that support the long-term health and identity of the program.
Purpose also makes hard decisions clearer. When you know what you’re trying to produce, it becomes easier to step back and say, “this dog doesn’t belong in my breeding program,” even when they’re talented, titled, or deeply loved. That doesn’t mean the dog lacks value — it means they don’t serve this program’s purpose.
Core Principles
Every Program Needs Direction
Breeding without a clear goal leads to inconsistency and compromise over time.
Purpose Guides Selection and Exclusion
Purpose clarifies which dogs move a program forward — and which do not.
Honest Programs Make Hard Choices
A clear purpose allows breeders to remove even good dogs when they don’t fit the vision.
Raising the Standard Means…
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Building programs with direction instead of drift
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Defining priorities beyond popularity or demand
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Making breeding decisions through a consistent lens
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Letting purpose — not trends — guide the program
Takeaway
For buyers, a breeder with a clearly defined purpose is easier to trust. You may not be looking for the same thing they are, and that’s okay. But knowing what a breeder prioritizes helps buyers make informed decisions instead of being sold on buzzwords, aesthetics, or promises that don’t align with reality.
Raising the standard means knowing what you stand for, being honest about what you’re producing, and letting purpose — not trends — guide your decisions. Because purpose doesn’t just shape the program.
It keeps it honest.