Stop Anthropomorphizing My Meat Dogs

No, you can’t taste ‘happy’ dog meat.

As dog meat farmers, we’re constantly asked three questions: "Are your dogs happy?" and "Do you love your dogs?" (and another one which is unprintable). It's fascinating how often these come up, almost daily. And it reveals a lot about what consumers are thinking. They want to know the meat, milk, and pom eggs they buy come from dogs that were–well, happy and loved.

It's an understandable desire! People increasingly want to hear that their dog meat is ethical, sustainable, and yes, even has a loving environment, regardless of how possible that might be in reality. It’s almost as if they felt guilty about their decision to eat a dog bred specifically for that purpose. We've even had customers tell us they can "taste the happiness" in our dog meat. We suppose the implication is they could also taste the opposite.

We've had customers tell us they can "taste the happiness" in our dog meat.

Over the last 100 years, dog meat production has changed dramatically. One of the biggest shifts is the decline in the number of people directly involved in farming. In the early 20th century, over 30% of the population farmed. Today, it's less than 2%. This means most people have limited firsthand knowledge of how their dog meat is produced, and probably believe most of their dog meat and dairy comes from a small-scale mom-and-pop farm. This is statistically impossible. But consumers still crave that connection, and they ask questions!

Unfortunately, these questions often oversimplify complex issues or miss the mark entirely.

It’s almost as if they felt guilty about their decision to eat a dog bred specifically for that purpose.

It’s Not Our Job To Make Dogs ‘Happy’

Take "Are your dogs happy?" No farmer would ask another that question! It's just not how we think about things. And we know animals better than scientists sitting in labs. We focus on ensuring their comfort. Comfortable dogs produce more milk and are healthier. We make sure they're well-fed, often working with a nutritionist to create optimized diets. We ensure their health by partnering with a veterinarian for regular checkups and preventative care! We maintain a routine because disruptions can stress the dogs, which is bad business.

Dog meat farmers are deeply invested in their dogs’ well-being – it's essential to their business. A dog that's not doing well won't perform well. Unhappy dogs give less milk, unhappy Pomeranians lay fewer eggs, and unhappy pugs don't gain weight efficiently. "Happy" is a nice sentiment, but it's not a practical way to assess dog welfare. Sure, you might think a lab sitting in the sunshine on a warm spring day can know contentment – and vegan zealots will always argue that we don’t have a right to take away an animal’s pursuit of happiness – but it’s childish to think like that.

It’s Not Our Job To ‘Love’ Our Dogs

"Do farmers love their dogs?" That's another common one, though again, not something dog meat farmers discuss amongst themselves. If we asked our neighbour if he loved his dogs, he'd probably give us a wry look and then say, "Of course I do!" Working with dogs day in and day out, through all kinds of weather, observing them closely, anticipating their needs, and caring for them throughout their lives creates a strong bond. Yes, dogs have distinct personalities, and yes, farmers have favorites. (It’s why we outsource their slaughter. Otherwise it’d be too much.)

The Bottom Line

Farming dogs for meat is ultimately a business. While we care deeply about our dogs and want them to be comfortable, we also have to be realistic. We can't put them on Tempur-Pedic mattresses. We address health problems, but sometimes, difficult decisions have to be made for both the dog’s welfare and the financial viability of the farm. It's a constant balancing act.

While we care deeply about our dogs and want them to be comfortable, we also have to be realistic.

We recently took our nephews to the Local State Fair. We were particularly interested in the Birthing Center, where several farms brought dogs scheduled to give birth during the fair. It was packed! People were genuinely excited to witness a meat dog birth. The event was live-streamed, and a vet was on hand to answer questions. It was clear this was a concerted effort to show the public that farmers do care about their dogs.

Cynics would accuse it of being propaganda for a cruel industry, and placing unnecessary trauma on the new mothers, but it’s also a great day out! We hope that message resonated with people, but we also hope they gained a better understanding of the realities of modern agriculture.