Raising the
Standard
Ethics, Responsibility and Buyer education
​Titles, Work, and Evaluation Matter
Standard #4
Written by Ashley Young, LakeHaus Kennels — Breeder, trainer, and advocate for purposeful, ethical German Shorthaired Pointer breeding.
A dog’s value as a breeding prospect shouldn’t be based on potential alone. Ethical breeding requires proof — proof that a dog can do the job it was bred for, or at the very least demonstrates the structure, temperament, and trainability the breed standard calls for.
That proof comes through work, titles, and evaluation — preferably across more than one avenue. Titles and testing aren’t about ribbons or letters surrounding a dog’s name. They provide something every responsible breeding program needs: unbiased, outside evaluation.
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Key themes in this standard include:
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Why proof matters more than potential
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The importance of unbiased, third-party evaluation
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The role of real-world work in assessing suitability
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Why no single title tells the whole story
​Proof Requires Evaluation Beyond the Breeder
Titles and testing aren’t about ribbons or letters surrounding a dog's name. They provide something every responsible breeding program needs: unbiased, outside evaluation. Judges, evaluators, and test systems exist to assess dogs against a standard, not personal attachment or kennel blindness.
Ethical breeding relies on this objectivity. Without it, decisions are easily influenced by familiarity, emotion, or the desire to justify prior investment rather than by what the dog actually demonstrates.
Work Reveals What Paper Cannot
Work matters too. A dog that can consistently train, perform, and function in real-world settings shows far more about its suitability than a single good day or a flattering photo ever will. Structure that holds up under work. Temperament that remains stable under pressure. Trainability that extends beyond the handler who knows the dog best.
No single title or venue tells the whole story. That’s why ethical programs value multiple forms of evaluation — conformation, performance, temperament, and real-world ability. Each one adds a piece to the picture. Together, they help determine whether a dog truly brings something worthwhile to the gene pool.
Core Principles
Proof Matters More Than Potential
Ethical breeding decisions are based on what a dog has demonstrated, not what they might become.
Outside Evaluation Protects Objectivity
Unbiased assessment guards against kennel blindness and emotional decision-making.
​Consistency Matters More Than a Single Win
Repeatable performance across settings reveals true suitability.
Raising the Standard Means…
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Valuing proof over promise
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Seeking unbiased, third-party evaluation
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Assessing dogs across multiple avenues, not just one
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Breeding based on demonstrated ability, not assumption
Takeaway
Not every good dog should be bred. And a lack of proof doesn’t mean a dog lacks value — it simply means they haven’t demonstrated that they should be used to produce the next generation.
Raising the standard means breeding dogs that have earned their place through work, evaluation, and accountability — not assumption.