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Backyard Breeder
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Reputable
Breeder
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1. Motive for breeding: "fun", "good for kids", "to make
money". Does not screen buyers and seldom refuses to sell,
even if buyer is unsuitable. |
1. 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. |
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2. Breeds the family pet to
any convenient pet of the same breed just to have purebred
pups. Has no concern for genetics, bloodlines, or breed
improvement. |
2. Can explain how planned
matings are used to emphasize specific qualities through
line-breeding, out-crossing, or more rarely, inbreeding. |
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3. Though pet may be well loved, it was not x-rayed for hip
dysplasia or checked for other problems. |
3. Has breeding stock x-rayed to check for hip dysplasia and
tests for other genetic faults. Can produce certification to
prove claims. |
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4. Offers no health guarantee
beyond proof of shots, if that. Unqualified to give help if
problems develop. |
4. Lifetime commitment to
replace a dog with genetic faults or to help owner deal with
problem. |
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5. Seller has little knowledge of breed history or of the
AKC breed standard. May claim this does not matter for "just
pets". |
5. Loves the breed and can talk at length about its
background, uses, and ideal type. |
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6. Pups raised in makeshift
accommodations, indicating lack of long-term investment in
breeding. |
6. Has a serious investment in
dog equipment and facilities. |
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7. 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. Does not show own
dogs to "prove" quality. |
7. Belongs to national, regional, and local dog clubs,
indicating a love for the sport of purebred dogs. Exhibits
own dogs as an objective test of how his stock measures up. |
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8. 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. |
8. Shows litter and dam in a
sanitary environment. Helps buyer evaluate and choose a pup.
Explains criteria for "show prospects" versus "pet picks". |
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9. Prices are at the low end of local range, since must move
pups quickly. |
9. Prices will be at the high end of local range, not
cut-rate. Price will not reflect all that is invested in the
pups. |
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10. 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. |
10. 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. |
