“The rest of the puppies have been put up for sale. The four bitches command more for their breeding potential and have already been sold for £600 each. The dogs cost less, at £550 each”
First, when the “product” is going for prices like that, the story isn’t going to end well. Second, its the taxpayers who pick up the bill with regards to consequences i.e. strain on municipal services, overflowing shelters- NOT the businesswoman (which frankly is what she should be identified as rather than some sort of dog lover). Third there are plenty of dalmations facing euthenasia who need loving homes. If this woman truly cared about dogs she’d work on reducing that number rather than breeding.
The problem is not the well-bred dogs, although I am into performance sports rather than conformation. The problem is puppy mills, not hobby/sport breeders, who may have two litters from a bitch before spaying her and placing her in her retirement home. Reputable breeders have limited registration, neuter-spay agreements, buyback provisions, and interview prospective buyers and check up on their pups from time to time. I'm still in contact with the breeder of my 11 year old chocolate Lab, who has a wall full of obedience, agility, and retrieving ribbons, perfect health, and a great temperament. You're unlikely to get that sort of quality at random.
And nobody makes money on hobby breeding -- you get bragging rights, and you get some of your money back by selling the pups.