| Backyard Breeder |
Reputable Breeder |
| 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. |
| 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 breedings are used to emphasize specific qualities through
linebreeding, outcrossing, or more rarely, inbreeding. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 6.
Pups raised in makeshift accommodations, indicating lack of long-term investment in
breeding. |
6.
Has a serious investment in dog equipment and facilities. |
| 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. |
| 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". |
| 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. |
| 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. |