Why Natural Rearing (NR) Matters

A great post by Melissa of Super Dog Summits:

Hi Karen,

Last week, I shared an email about natural rearing breeders that sparked a strong reaction from one subscriber.

Here’s what she wrote:

“Personally, I’m not a fan of breeding dogs when there are so many homeless dogs waiting for their forever home. I find it very sad and unnecessary. Please consider getting a loving rescue.”

Her message made me realize that many people probably share this belief — that breeding is inherently “sad” or “unnecessary.”

And I understand where that feeling comes from.

But it’s also based on a misunderstanding — one that’s undermining dogs’ long-term health.

The truth about ethical breeders

Here’s the truth: ethical, natural rearing breeding isn’t just beautiful — it’s necessary.

Not to compete with rescue… but to protect the future health of dogs as a species.

Yes, far too many dogs are abused, neglected, and mistreated — and end up homeless.

And yes, every single one of those dogs deserves a safe, loving, nourishing home.

But there’s another crisis we can’t ignore:

The vast majority of dogs today are sick.

Chronic illness is exploding. Cancer rates are soaring — currently affecting an estimated 62% of dogs and rising.

Dogs aren’t just ending up homeless.  

They’re ending up unhealthy.

Why rescue alone isn’t enough

Because so many dogs need homes, it’s completely understandable why people encourage rescue.

According to The State of Pet Homelessness Project, more than 8 million dogs in the U.S. are either living on the streets or entering shelters each year.

But here’s the part that often gets missed:

If everyone rescued — and no one supported ethical, natural rearing breeders — the cycle of sickness would never be broken.

We would eventually run out of healthy dogs.

In fact, we’re already dangerously close.

Natural rearing breeders are the ones actively breaking this sick cycle.

They restore health, resilience, and vitality — not just for individual dogs, but for future generations.

What makes natural rearing breeders essential

We have to ask a deeper question:  Why are so many dogs homeless and in shelters in the first place?

The answer isn’t ethical breeding.

The overwhelming majority of neglected and abandoned dogs come from puppy mills and unethical breeding operations — systems driven by profit, overbreeding, and convenience, not care.

In these environments, dogs are pushed beyond their limits: overbred, over-vaccinated, fed processed kibble, dosed with harsh heartworm and flea-and-tick chemicals, and often exposed to other environmental toxins.

These practices aren’t just misguided — they’re irresponsible, harmful, and downright cruel.

True natural rearing breeders are the opposite.

They operate under strict ethical standards, including:

• Thoroughly screening and vetting prospective dog parents

• Placing puppies only in homes committed to continued natural rearing

• Raising dogs as close to nature as possible from day one

That means:

🥩 Feeding a raw, species-appropriate diet

🌱 Maintaining a toxin-free environment

💉 Minimizing conventional vaccines (except where legally required)

🧘 Supporting low-stress, nurturing lifestyles

🛡️ Building strong immune systems for lifelong resilience

🐕☀️ Encouraging outdoor play, sunshine, clean dirt and grass, enrichment, rest, and meaningful connection

🌿 Trusting and honoring nature’s design

These breeders aren’t creating the problem.  They’re actively solving it.

Not all breeders are created equal — and it’s time we stopped lumping them together.

There is a world of difference between toxic, industrialized breeding and intentional, nature-honoring breeding rooted in respect for life.

Real-world perspective

Last fall, during the free holistic dog health training I hosted as part of the Super Dog Summit, holistic veterinarian Dr. Jessica Levy shared that she once ran a rescue — and, like so many others, believed all breeders were evil.

But seeing how unhealthy these dogs had become changed everything.

While she rescues dogs herself, she now works with breeders to raise dogs more naturally and cultivate healthier dogs.

Her message was clear:

We’re running out of healthy dogs — and we have to do better for them.

Click here to watch this short, eye-opening clip with Dr. Levy (starts at 29:40).

Rescue + ethical breeding = a healthier future

Yes, we need people to rescue dogs who need good homes.

But we also desperately need people to support true natural rearing breeders.

Rescue and ethical breeding aren’t in conflict — they each play a critical role.

Rescue can provide a safe, loving home for a dog today, while ethical breeding builds and nurtures the dogs of tomorrow.

Supporting ethical breeders:

• Addresses the root cause

• Reduces the number of dogs who end up sick, abandoned, and suffering

• Protects the future of the species

Creating a better future for dogs isn’t just about finding them a “forever home.”

It’s about raising and caring for dogs in a way that ensures health, resilience, and vitality for generations.

It’s about responsibility. Integrity. And the future for the lives we’re shaping.

If we want healthier dogs tomorrow, we have to support the ones doing it right today.

With care and conviction,💖🐾

~Melissa

P.S. If this message resonated — or challenged the way you think about dogs’ health and breeding — forward it to someone who loves dogs and needs to hear this perspective. Every conversation we start helps create a healthier future for all dogs.