IELTS Preparation : Tips, Strategy & Guide

COMMERCIAL DOG BREEDING

With increasing demands for exotic dog breeds, breeding of dogs has become a lucrative business. Those engaged in this business often claim that they are responsible breeders, however, there is no such thing as for every puppy produced by a breeder, many animals in shelters that are waiting for adoption find it difficult to find a home. If they are in there long enough, they are euthanized.
One major worrying factor is the practice of breeding for the sake of appearance. Although the concerned animal is not aware of its appearance, the breeder and buyer are. It is the animal that suffers due to genetic exploitation. Another cause of concern is inbreeding, which leads to life-threatening genetic defects that can be excruciatingly painful. These are more apparent in ‘purebred’ dogs. The common diseases in such animals include blindness, deafness, hip dysplasia, skin problems and heart defects.

Also, the ‘puppy-mill’ kennels function in abysmal conditions. They generally consist of small cages constructed from wire mesh and wood or tractor-trailer cabs that are tethered to tree trunks. As a rule, female dogs breed twice a year. Once they are incapable of breeding, they are either put to death or abandoned. It has also been noticed that female dogs and their pups suffer from exposure, malnutrition and have next to no medical care. Puppies are separated from their mothers at an early age and are sold to animal brokers who transport them to the pet shops in crates. During the process, the puppies travel hundreds of miles in trailers, trucks or airplanes without enough food, water or air.
UK’s biggest dog welfare charity, Dogs Trust, recently released a report that is the result of six months of investigation into breeding and trafficking of puppies from Eastern European countries to the UK. Apart from concerns such as risk to public health because of rabies and other related diseases, tapeworm infestation can be debilitating, although it is not found in the UK at present. Shocking footage of this investigation shows how commercial breeders, transporters and even vets in Hungary and Lithuania are abusing the EU legislation by using the Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) for the commercial importation of puppies to Great Britain.

Where pet owners are concerned, a rather disturbing trend has picked up in the past few decades. They buy puppies of Bulldogs and other high-priced pedigree animals, mainly as a novelty and status symbol. Little do the buyers realize that these puppies are ill-bred, and it is very likely that they suffer from diseases because of inbreeding. According to the 2006 statistics, 287,000 such animals made an entry into America. Taking into account the increasing demand for crossbred and purebred puppies in the country, experts feel that these statistics will, in all likelihood, spiral out of control.
In countries like India, the pet dog figures in homes have suddenly jumped from around 7 million in the year 2009 to a little over 12 million in 2014, as per the research conducted by Euromonitor. Alarmingly, there is a rising demand for Saint Bernards and Siberian Huskies. These animals that are meant to live in cold climates are trapped inside apartments that are small, hot and humid. Serious health problems are seen to be increasing in these animals. When the situation gets dire, the owners are unable to cope and abandon them on the roadside.

It is obvious that not enough is being done to stop the trade of puppies. By the end of this year, there are chances that the EU legislation on pet travel will come into force. This will ensure that law breakers will be penalized. However, organizations like Dogs Trust and their associates, at the ports in the UK, feel that the projected changes are sadly not adequate and will not serve the purpose.

Questions 1-6

Complete each sentence with the correct ending, A-I, from the box below.

Write the correct letter, A-I, as your answer to each question.

1 Breeding of dogs for appearance is harmful

2 Inbreeding is a major concern

3 The dogs in a puppy mill

4 The investigation by Dogs Trust reveals

5 The pet owners prefer high-priced animals

6 The hot and humid Indian climate is

A because it makes it looks more important for buyers.

B unsuitable for breeds native to colder regions.

C because it interferes with their genetic code.

D are generally maltreated.

E the illegal transportation of puppies to the UK.

F because it leads to genetic disorders.

G because purebred dogs are affected by it.

H because they are considered a status symbol.

I because they are healthy.

1 C

Explanation: Paragraph 2 - One major worrying factor is the practice of breeding for the sake of appearance … and it is the animal which suffers due to genetic exploitation.

2 F

Explanation: Paragraph 2 - Another cause of concern is inbreeding, which is the cause of life-threatening genetic defects that can be excruciatingly painful.

3 D

Explanation: Paragraph 3 - Also, the ‘puppy-mill’ kennels function in abysmal conditions. They generally consist of small cages constructed from wire mesh and wood … Once they are incapable of breeding, they are either put to death or abandoned ... female dogs and their pups suffer from exposure, malnutrition and have next to no medical care.

4 E

Explanation: Paragraph 4 - UK’s biggest dog welfare charity, Dogs Trust, recently released a report that is the result of six months of investigation ... Shocking footage of this investigation shows how commercial breeders, transporters and even vets in Hungary and Lithuania are abusing the EU legislation by using the Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) for the commercial importation of puppies to Great Britain.

5 H

Explanation: Paragraph 5 - Where pet owners are concerned, a rather disturbing trend has picked up in the past few decades. They buy puppies of Bulldogs and other high-priced pedigree animals, mainly as a novelty and status symbol.

6 B

Explanation: Paragraph 6 - In countries like India, ... Alarmingly, there is a rising demand for Saint Bernards and Siberian Huskies. These animals that are meant to live in cold climates are trapped inside apartments that are small, hot and humid. Serious health problems are seen to be increasing in these animals. 

This Article has thrown some light on the Matching Information and Matching Sentence Endings by providing certain important strategies and IELTS Reading Tips to improve the candidate's score.