New memoir probes ugly truth behind quest for perfection in dog breeding

In her childhood dreams of owning a dog one day, the story in Michelle Stark’s head didn’t end like this.

The exhilaration the Hamilton lawyer experienced after welcoming  her first “fancy purebred” puppy turned to despair when troubling symptoms surfaced two years later.

Her law career “took a backseat” as Stark began her journey into the modern world of dog breeding, where purity and perfection can be prioritized over health, which she chronicles in her recently released book, Broken.

In the book, the Waterdown native speaks of her persistent pleas for a dog as a kid, a request that could not be accommodated because of a family member’s allergies.

“At university, I made up for lost time, adopting a rabbit named Julien in my McMaster dorm room. During law school at Osgoode Hall in Toronto, I expanded my menagerie: a goldfish named Gill, a budgie named Graham, and even fostering puppies for a local rescue.”

But dog ownership continued to elude her after university because of the demands of her job, until she met her husband Tim, who suggested a dog “might help balance our city life with getting out into nature,” she said. “We decided on the silken windhound, a rare and elegant breed celebrated for its health and longevity.”

Maple was from Ontario’s first litter of the breed and was everything the couple hoped for, said Stark. “Graceful, gentle and adventurous.”

But at two years old, Maple’s health unraveled, she said. While running, Maple suffered a broken shoulder, “the first of many crises.”

There were also severe neurological and gastrointestinal symptoms that her veterinarians couldn't explain, but a specialist in West Virginia finally pinpointed two genetic conditions behind her issues, said Stark.

Still captivated by the breed’s beauty and charm, Stark and her husband imported Raisa from Texas, where the silken windhound originated. Within 14 months, Raisa had broken two legs, requiring “complex surgeries and raised unsettling questions.”

“How could such routine activities lead to such catastrophic injuries?” said Stark.

Frustrated and determined, her quest to help her dogs evolved into a larger investigation into the troubling practices of purebred dog breeders.

“My findings were devastating: the pursuit of 'purity' and 'perfection' in breeding has resulted in levels of genetic inbreeding comparable to ancient Egyptian royalty— with equally catastrophic consequences. These practices, if applied to humans, would be both unethical and illegal,” said Stark.

Her determination to uncover the truth tested her in ways she never expected, said Stark.

“I lost one of my dogs and faced my own struggles with mental health as I confronted my desire for perfection — in my dogs and in my life. But through this heartbreak, I found purpose.”

Today, her life on a farm in rural Flamborough is a menagerie of animals, including three beloved mutts.

“Life here is imperfect — and that’s what makes it beautiful,” she said.

Her memoir, Broken, is more than a personal story; it’s a call to action, she said.

“It’s for anyone who has ever loved a dog and wants to understand the hidden costs of purebred perfection. It’s for those who value resilience, justice, and the messy, imperfect beauty of life. I hope my story will resonate deeply and inspire readers to think differently about the choices we make for our beloved canine companions.”

Published by Hamilton’s Fire Ant Press, Broken is available at local bookstores and on Amazon. To learn more about Stark, visit michellestark.ca.