Balihara Ranch: Continued Expansion of the Kennel and Growing Concern for Animal Welfare

by | Oct 10, 2024

In recent years, serious concerns have been raised about the breeding practices at the well-known Balihara Ranch kennel. Specializing in Swiss Mountain Dogs, this kennel has come under intense scrutiny for its unethical and cruel practices.

Breeding Examination in May 2024

According to recently published information on the Slovak Swiss Mountain Dog Club’s website, a breeding evaluation was conducted in May 2024 for three more young dogs. These included one female Bernese Mountain Dog from the kennel itself and two male Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs—one born and raised at Balihara Ranch and another from kennel Karhunkierros (this is not the first dog from this kennel).

Character Test Results

During this evaluation, two of the dogs once again failed to receive full points in their mental tests. This raises serious questions about the selection criteria and the emphasis placed on temperament and behavior in the breeding program of Balihara Ranch. We have previously reported on dogs with fearful temperaments at Balihara Ranch kennel, highlighting ongoing issues with their breeding practices.

Overcrowding Concerns

One of the most alarming issues at Balihara Ranch is the sheer number of dogs kept. In 2022 alone, she performed breeding evaluations on 14 dogs. The total number of dogs enrolled in the Balihara Ranch breeding program over two years (from May 2022 to May 2024) is a staggering 22 new dogs. This number raises significant concerns about the breeder’s ability to provide adequate care for the dogs. Shockingly, she has owned at least 180 adult dogs so far (including other breeds bred by the owner of Balihara Ranch), turning her kennel into nothing short of a dog factory and puppy mill.

Questionable Breeding Exam Practices

Another point of concern is the breeding exam conducted on a male dog named BRISSEUS from Balihara Ranch in May 2024. In Slovakia, a male dog can be used for breeding from 18 months of age, but BRISSEUS was 20 days short of this requirement at the time of his breeding exam. This raises serious questions about why she was in such a hurry to perform the breeding evaluation on such a young dog. It remains to be seen which females BRISSEUS bred after the evaluation and why she cared so much about the early breeding evaluation.

Conclusion

The practices at Balihara Ranch kennel highlight numerous ethical concerns, from severe overcrowding to questionable breeding exams. It is crucial for breeders to adhere to ethical standards to ensure the health and well-being of their dogs. The Slovak Swiss Mountain Dog Club and other regulatory bodies must take these issues seriously and enforce stricter guidelines to prevent such unethical and cruel practices in the future.

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