Breeder Box

Here is a guide to help you find that purebred dog of your dreams, one that is healthy and has a sound temperament. Consider all that I've said and when you interview a breeder, remember to ask about their background. Perhaps you will begin to respect the differences between all those that call themselves breeders.

REPUTABLE BREEDERS
Sell Directly to Individuals and Other Breeders

• Goal is to perfect a specific type within their breed and to leave a legacy of devotion to their breed over their lifetime as a breeder.
• Can explain how planned breedings are used to emphasize or minimize specific qualities through line breeding, out crossing, or more rarely, inbreeding.
• Will NOT SHIP a puppy without someone accompanying the puppy on board, never in cargo.
• Dedicated to producing quality dogs and considers it a 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 NEVER to brokers or Pet shops!
• Often delays breeding until dam is mature perhaps at least 2 yrs old.
• Does extensive testing to rule out specific genetic traits common to their particular breed, both systemic and orthopedic in nature.
• Written contractual commitment to replace a dog with genetic faults or to help owner deal with a problem.
• Very often insisting that a puppy be returned if not satisfied.
• Pet picks must be spayed or neutered and have signed contracts to do so.
• Loves the breed and can talk at length about its background, uses, and ideal type.
• Recognizes the importance of early socialization prior to going to homes.
• Maintains carrier recorded on all dogs in gene pool including effected progeny.
• Has an investment in all breeding related equipment and the puppy's environment is sanitary and loving.
• Belongs to national, regional and /or local dog clubs and is often an officer, indicating a love for the sport of purebred dogs.
• Shows and judges own breed at a local, regional or national level Ð this judgment serves as an objective test of how his stock measures up.
• Always has dam present while visiting litters.
• Maintains a safe, stimulating and sanitary environment for the dogs.
• Helps buyer evaluate and choose a pup after extensive communication regarding buyer's lifestyle and commitment to a puppy for the life of the dog.
• Explains criteria for "show prospects" versus "pet picks".
• Maintains a solid support system and accepts full responsibility for every puppy he/she produces.
• 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 with extensive questioner.
• After purchase, will help you with grooming or training problems and may offer boarding as well.
• Will take back a pup you cannot keep rather than see it disposed of inappropriately.

HOBBY BREEDERS
Sell Directly to Individuals and Breeders

• Maintains an ongoing wait-list for puppies and does extensive interviews on prospective buyers and often requires references.
• Will insist on meeting FACE to FACE before allowing a purchase to take place.
• Will NOT SHIP a PUPPY without someone with the puppy on board, not in cargo.
• Will only discuss gender options with buyers but after lots of input from a prospective buyer,
• Will recommend one puppy over another based on observation of temperament a week or 2 before going home.
• Wants to better the breed, usually home bred raised with love and well cared for.
• Extremely dedicated and educated about their breed.
• Choosing to breed very infrequently but have the luxury of one on one attention given to each and every litter.
• Often is very strict about who qualifies for one of the puppies.
• Invites knowledge and takes on the practice of breeding very seriously.
• Dogs are carefully chosen and screened.
• Breeding dates are planned well in advance..
• Not surprising to hear these breeders speak as if their puppies were their own children.
• Strives towards the ideal.
• Maintains contact with families that purchase their puppies.
• Insist on signing paperwork that pet pick puppies be spayed or neutered.
• Genetic health issues generally are subject to refund or exchange of puppy.
• Shows and trials to prove worth and objectively test breeding stock.
• Recognizes the importance of early socialization prior to going to homes.
• Studies every aspect of breeding and their own breed.
• On a mission- plans to stay for the long haul and diligently follows up on progeny
• Intensive testing always a priority
• Attempts to continuously track every puppy produced

BACKYARD BREEDERS
Sell to Individuals and Petshops

• Buyer can select any puppy by the 3 Cs Color, Confirmation and Cuteness!
• Motive for breeding: "fun", "good for kids", "to make money".
• Does not screen buyers and seldom refuses to sell, even if buyer is unsuitable.
• 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.
• Though the pets (sire/dam of pups) may be well loved, they were not tested and screened for hip dysplasia, eye problems or any other genetic problems such as cardiomyopathy or even a simple test for hypothyroidism.
• Offers no health guarantee beyond proof of vaccines, if that. Unqualified to give help if problems develop. Price is usually half of what is paid when purchasing a puppy from a reputable or hobby breeder.
• 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".
• 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. Conditions vary depending on available income.
• 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.
• 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.
• Focuses mostly on phenotype, unfamiliar with genotype
• Prices are at the low end of local range, since must move pups quickly.
• Advertises in the local newspaper classifieds.

COMMERCIAL BREEDERS
Sell to Brokers and Petshops

• Goal is to supply the demand and continues to breed any dogs based on demand and popularity
• Has a network of business contacts and churns out as many puppies as is needed to meet the demand, with little knowledge of any particular breed beyond general appearance.
• Not a member of any breed clubs.
• Does not specialize in a specific breed, but instead breeds anything that sells.
• Health is never a guarantee.
• Focuses on general appearance.
• Prices are negotiated by bulk sales, breed popularity, shipping and location.
• No contracts related to spay and neutering of puppies and no guarantee of health.
• Claims that the history of a breed is of no importance
• Does not need to promote establishment and sells puppies to brokers and pet shops.
• No responsibility and attention given to prevent or keep records of carriers of genetic problems resulting from breedings.
• There are no restrictions on future breeding rights.
• Once sold, they have no responsibility for the puppies in any way.
• Meets minimum standards as required by state law.
• May provide undocumented paperwork for appearances sake.
• Dogs and puppies are often auctioned off in lots, records unavailable

PUPPY MILLS
Sell to Petshops and Auctions

• Goal is to make money. PERIOD. Will breed just about anything.
• Uneducated and irresponsible - resulting in haphazard breeding practices.
• Hardly EVER is a member of a breed club or organization representing the improvement of a breed.
• Kills off old and unwanted dogs or sells the adults at auctions.
• Breeds randomly by appearance, often inbreeds and dogs live in horrid conditions all of their lives, most breeders live in crates 24 hrs per day for their entire lives.
• Ships puppies unaccompanied on planes as cargo and some arrive dead with paperwork that may not even be their own.
• Often riddled with health problems and genetic defects.
• Puppies sold in bulk to pet shops, with flawed paperwork, if any.
• No particular health guarantees passed on to buyers.
• No longer responsible in any way for puppies sold to public.
• Could care less about the puppies or their pedigrees.
• Dogs and their puppies are considered livestock and need no measure of attention beyond food and water, if that.
• Does not need to promote establishment, sells to broker pet shops, etc.
• Often issues papers via generic "registries", without keeping accurate records of true pedigrees because brokers and pet shops don't need to offer any to buyers.
• Will continue as long as the sales are coming