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Backyard Breeder

Reputable Breeder

Motive for breeding: "fun", "good for kids", "to make money". Does not screen buyers and seldom refuses to sell, even if buyer is unsuitable.

Dedication to producing quality dogs is serious avocation. Has so much invested in dogs that he struggles to break even, not make a profit. Will sell pups only to approved buyers.

Breeds the family pet to any convenient pet of the same breed just to have purebred pups. Has no understanding or concern with genetics, pedigree bloodlines, or breed improvement.

Can explain how planned breeding is used to emphasize or minimize specific qualities through line breeding, out crossing, or more rarely, inbreeding.

Though the pets (sire/dam of pups) may be well loved, they were not tested for hip dysplasia or for other genetic problems such as cardiomyopathy and hypothyroidism.

Has breeding stock x-rayed to check for hip dysplasia, holtered within the last year for cardiomyopathy and thyroid screened. Can produce certification to prove claims.

Offers no health guarantee beyond proof of shots, if that. Unqualified to give help if problems develop.

Written contractual commitment to replace a dog with genetic faults or to help owner deal with problem.

Seller has little knowledge of breed history, the national breed club or of the AKC breed standard. May claim this does not matter for "just pets".

Loves the breed and can talk at length about its background, uses, and ideal type.

Pups raised in makeshift accommodations, sometimes unsanitary, indicating lack of long-term investment in breeding and lack of true care for the puppies well-being.

Has an investment in dog equipment and the puppies environment is sanitary and loving.

Even when selling "just pets", may produce AKC papers or "championship pedigrees" as proof of quality. Yet seller does not increase his own knowledge through participation in national, regional, or local breed clubs. Is not involved in showing their dogs to "prove" quality.

Belongs to national, regional, and/or local dog clubs, indicating a love for the sport of purebred dogs. Shows their dogs as an objective test of how his stock measures up.

May be unwilling to show a buyer the entire litter or to introduce the dam of the litter. Cannot or will not compare/critique pups or pup’s ancestors.

Shows litter and dam in a sanitary environment. Helps buyer evaluate and choose a pup. Explains criteria for "show prospects" versus "pet picks".

Prices are at the low end of local range, since must move pups quickly. Advertises in the local newspaper classifieds.

Prices will be at the high end of local range. Price will not reflect all that is invested in the pups. A reputable breeder never profits from the sale of puppies. Does not advertise in the newspaper. Has an established waiting list for the pups.

No concern for the future of individual pups or the breed as a whole. Does not use AKC’s limited registration option or ask for spay/neuter contract to guard against the breeding of sub-standard pups. If you cannot keep pup, tells you to take it to a dog pound or to sell it.

After purchase, will help you with grooming or training problems. Will take back a pup you cannot keep rather than see it disposed of inappropriately. Sells pets with spay/neuter agreement and on AKC limited registration.

Backyard Breeders Damage the Breed

Responsible Breeders Improve the Breed


Recognizing an unethical breeder

When you talk to people about their puppies, there are a few warning signs that you may be dealing with a disreputable, unethical, or irresponsible breeder:

  1. The "breeder" lacks knowledge about the breed
  2. The "breeder" shows ignorance or denial of genetic defects in the breed
  3. The "breeder" has no involvement in dog sports
  4. The "breeder" doesn't let you observe the puppies or adults, or let you see the kennels
  5. The "breeder" has no documentation and cannot provide a pedigree
  6. The puppies are not socialized

How to read those ads!
Here are a few more things that you ought to look out for.
"Champion lines" -- look instead for Champion sired or Champion parents. All Champion Lines means is that there is a dog somewhere in your puppy's family that was a champion - it says nothing about the quality of the parents at all. Anyone can buy a puppy from a champion, but it does not mean that they have any other interest in the breed but to bank on the name and make money. The puppy may have been sold as a pet (since it had some problems that prevented it from being shown) and an unethical person did not have the dog desexed and is still breeding puppies.

"AKC Registration" or "AKC Papers" -- So what? AKC registration does not guarantee quality. AKC papers are much like the title of a car - papers are issued on the junked chevy on blocks in your yard just as easily as they are on a brand new, shiny Jaguar. AKC does not control breeding, approve litters, or guarantee soundness. Unfortunately, in the hands of some unethical breeders, it doesn't even guarantee that the dog is purebred.
AKC Registration is automatic if you buy from a reputable breeder - they will provide all necessary paperwork when you buy a puppy. It is not a selling point, and shouldn't be treated as one.

Be wary of other "registrations", as well. There are several groups that are registering dogs, occasionally even mixed breeds, for a fee. This registration means nothing, and is of no value to you. Not that AKC papers really mean much, either.
"extra-big", "extra-small" -- breeders trying for extremes are rarely raising healthy dogs, and any ad that has to stress the size and weight of the dog to sell the puppies is suspect, in my opinion. Usually, these dogs are outside of the breed standard and are subject to their own medical problems due to excessive size or lack of it.
"rare" -- Why? Is the dog showable? Are there too many defects for the animal to be bred? What kind of problems does this "rare" color or size or pattern entail? There are many people buying "rare" white Boxers and Shepherds, not realizing that they are not show-prospects, and that they are buying a dog with medical problems from lack of pigmentation, and possible behavioral problems as well.

There are even some people selling unusual cross breeds as "rare" dogs, and people buy them thinking they are getting some unique treasure. I don't want to be too harsh about this, though -- every breed we see today is the result of some specialized and "rare" breeding to create a certain look or behavior. Shepherds herd, retrievers retrieve...because we have selectively bred them to do so. A breeder who is trying to 'recreate' a lost breed may fall on either side of the ethical divide. Shop with care.
"see both parents" As noted in questions to ask a breeder , this is not usually a good thing. Rarely will a good breeder have the luck to own both dogs for the perfect litter. If you can see both parents, it often means that the person had two dogs in the back yard and didn't supervise them carefully enough, resulting in puppies.

"Must go now!" Why? Are they too big to be cute anymore? Need more money? Is there a problem? Be very wary of this one.

Is this breeder reputable?

How do you know if the breeder you have contacted is a person of integrity committed to bettering their particular breed? It can be tough to discern, especially if this is the first time you've sought out a purebred breeder. Following are a few guidelines to help you make that determination.

  1. A reputable breeder requires that pet-quality animals be spayed or neutered. Be wary of breeders who do not mention altering.
  2. A reputable breeder requires a contract, which varies from breeder to breeder, but usually spells out the rights of seller and buyer, health information, altering and buy-back/return policy.
  3. A reputable breeder shows a general interest in, love for and knowledge about the breed. He or she cares about placing puppies in good homes and will often interview potential buyers thoroughly, ask for references and refuse to sell a dog if necessary.
  4. A reputable breeder will guarantee a puppy's general health for a certain period of time (which varies from state to state under puppy lemon laws). While no one can guarantee against inheritable diseases, a reputable breeder is well-informed about genetic problems in her particular breed or bloodlines, routinely has dogs/pups tested for problems and passes this information along to buyers. Beware of breeders who scoff at genetic testing and say their particular breed/line is problem-free.
  5. The environment (kennel or home) in which the breeder keeps the dogs should be clean and well-maintained. TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS ON THIS!
  6. A reputable breeder is actively involved in the dog fancy, including showing or breed clubs. While there are exceptions--a retired individual who has shown dogs for 20 years--a person who is not involved with others in the breed can be suspect.
  7. A reputable breeder is willing to provide answers to questions you may have and is willing to provide names of others who have purchased pups.
  8. A reputable breeder will allow you to meet the puppy's parents if available and, if the father isn't available, be willing to show pictures.
  9. A reputable breeder follows up on puppies. He or she is interested in how the pups develop physically and mentally, difficulties in the owner/dog relationship and health problems.
  10. A reputable breeder rarely has more than 4 litters a year.

Remember: A Reputable Breeder NEVER Sells to a Pet Shop nor do they offer puppies for sale in parking lots, at auctions, or at Flea Markets!

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