NextGen breeding: where technology meets selection

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📈 A bite-sized stat tastier than kibble: Dog adoption will outpace the number of dogs available

2.6M dogs are sold by dog breeders and that’s likely to increase

Of the 4.6M dogs acquired annually in the U.S. from both shelters and breeders, 2.6M come specifically from USDA-licensed and unlicensed breeders. However, the demand side shows massive potential growth: 91.9M Millennials and Gen Z adults are considering dog ownership in the next 5 years, per Morgan Stanley.

As pet owners have become more oriented to young urban couples and professionals, the French Bulldog overtook the Labrador Retriever as America's most popular dog breed, according to American Kennel Club rankings. This shift reflects changing lifestyles and living situations, particularly in urban areas where smaller, apartment-friendly breeds like the French Bulldog are more practical.

🐾 The purr-spective: If even a quarter of these potential owners get a dog over the next 5 years, that would mean approximately 4.6M new dogs annually, which is equal to the entire current annual supply from both shelters and breeders combined. Given that breeders currently supply about 56% of acquired dogs (2.6M out of 4.6M), this suggests the breeding industry would need to scale significantly to meet future demand without creating supply shortages or potentially driving more consumers toward unethical breeding operations.

The disparity between current supply and potential future demand indicates potential growth opportunities in the ethical breeding market, particularly given Millennials' and Gen Z's preferences for ethical consumption and willingness to pay premiums for services that align with their values.

🎾 What we’re chasing: Technology built to support dog breeders

Dog cloning, dog breeding for the ultra rich

The future of elite dog ownership may be shifting from traditional breeding to custom cloning, particularly among the ultra-wealthy. While traditional breeders focus on maintaining purebred lines, companies like ViaGen are already producing multiple clones of "ideal specimens"—as seen with Eudoris, a Belgian Malinois-Dutch shepherd mix that has been cloned 35 times as high-end protection dogs. Even celebrities like Barbra Streisand have cloned their perfect pets, paying $50,000 to replicate her Coton de Tulear. This trend could accelerate as wealthy owners seek to replicate specific traits that might be considered "faults" in traditional breeding circles, potentially leading to exclusive "clone lines" that parallel traditional champion bloodlines in the luxury dog market.

Genetic testing helps ensure healthy bred dogs

Beyond traditional progeny testing, DNA and genetic testing have helped dog breeders ensure they continue to breed healthy dogs and identify potential health issues before breeding occurs. Through organizations like the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) and the AKC Canine Health Foundation, breeders can access genetic databases from over one million individual dogs and consult results from more than 950 canine health research projects. These resources help breeders screen for over 900 identified inherited disorders in dogs and make informed decisions about breeding pairs while maintaining genetic diversity.

The role of AI (no, not artificial intelligence) in breeding

While artificial intelligence may be the hot topic in tech, there's another AI revolutionizing dog breeding: artificial insemination. New age breeders are increasingly turning to artificial insemination (AI) to produce healthier puppies. In tandem with DNA testing and genetic screening, AI allows breeders to carefully select optimal breeding pairs even when they're geographically separated. Two main techniques are emerging: traditional AI with fresh or chilled semen, which involves introducing sperm directly into the female's reproductive tract, and the more advanced transcervical insemination, which can achieve up to 80% success rates even with frozen semen.

🐾 The purr-spective: While these advances could improve pet health and maintain genetic diversity, they also raise important questions about accessibility and ethics. Will these technologies create a two-tiered breeding system where only wealthy individuals can access certain genetic lines? The challenge lies in ensuring these tools benefit all dog owners while maintaining ethical breeding practices and animal welfare standards.

🤝 Upcoming event: Pet Connect USA in December

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🐕‍🦺 The long leash: The rise of tech-enabled breeding

How technology is reshaping pet matching

Technology is reshaping dog adoption with platforms like Pupscout and Doggit, which use data-driven tools to match owners with the right breeds based on lifestyle. These innovations streamline the process, reduce costs, and prioritize compatibility, making adoption more efficient and humane. Marketplaces like Good Dog and PuppySpot integrate breed profiles, lifestyle assessments, and user reviews, further educating adopters and simplifying their journey to finding the right match.

Read more of our most recent article here.

💸 Clawing in cash: November raises in pet tech

Arterra (Austin, TX): Pet supplements company focused on dog longevity secured seed funding from Gaingels (amount undisclosed). The company offers specialized supplements for longevity including adult support, remineralizing toothpaste, and senior support formulations. More HERE.

Bixbi (Boulder, CO): Pet food and supplements platform raised $5M in venture funding. The company, founded in 2008, offers protein-based dry and wet dog food, freeze-dried products, treats, and supplements through direct sales and distribution partnerships. More HERE.

Chou2 Pharma (Philadelphia, PA): Veterinary health supplement company secured Series A funding (amount undisclosed). The company specializes in cannabinoid care products for vets and pet owners, using their proprietary Cannolation Purification System. More HERE.

Meatly (London, UK): Sustainable pet food producer raised funding from Pets at Home, dsm-firmenich Venturing, JamJar Investments, and Joyful Ventures (amount undisclosed). The company specializes in growing cultivated meat from animal cells for pet food production. More HERE.

Pet Madness (Las Vegas, NV): E-commerce platform is currently raising $5M in seed funding. The company offers a range of pet products from food and treats to grooming essentials and toys. They previously raised $830k through equity crowdfunding. More HERE.

PuppyWash (Palos Verdes Peninsula, CA): Pet tech startup launched an equity crowdfunding campaign targeting $124K through StartEngine. The company develops portable dog washing technology to make pet bathing more convenient and accessible. More HERE.

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