How to tell the difference in
a responsible breeder and backyard breeder
How do you know if you are
dealing with a responsible breeder, or someone who is just a backyard
breeder? Below is a list of the differences between the two.
Responsible Breeders:
1 - Take what they do very
seriously, and do it for the love of their dogs and the breed, rather than
how much money they can get from the puppies.
2 - Use the best possible specimens of their breed, even if it means
importing bloodstock from another state or country.
3 - Refuse to breed from any dog that has a genetic disorder, illness,
obvious disqualifying faults or has temperament issues.
4 - Makes sure that their breeding bitch has everything she needs to whelp
and raise her puppies in comfort.
5 - Does not breed from dogs and bitches that are under 12 months of age or
over 6 years of age. (there are different guidelines for appropriate
breeding ages of all different dog breeds).
6 - Would much rather sell their puppy to a suitable loving home rather than
hold out for the most money they can get.
7 - Stay home with their whelping bitches for usually the last week of the
pregnancy and the first week of the puppies lives just so they can be on
hand if needed.
8 - Only produce pure-bred puppies. They do not cross different breeds to
produce designer or so-called hybrid breeds.
9 - Usually have a long waiting list of people ready to purchase a puppy off
them.
10 - Make sure that all of their breeding stock and puppies are in good
condition, have been De-wormed regularly and have had all of their
vaccinations.
11 - Are always there for you if you have any questions or concerns, and
most will take the dog back if you find it is not right for you, or your
circumstances change and you can not properly care for the dog any more.
12 - Have their dogs as pets first and breeding stock second.
13 - Allow their breeding bitches time off between litters, even if that
means waiting for 12 or 18 months before the next litter of puppies is on
the ground.
Backyard Breeders:
1 - Seem to have a lot of
'accidental' mating and litters happen.
2 - Do not care whether their bitch is old enough or mature enough to care
for a litter of puppies.
3 - Do not bother about producing pure-bred dogs.
4 - Do not choose their breeding stock for health, desirable traits or
temperament.
5 - Allow their bitch to whelp wherever she happens to be, even if that
is in with other dogs that may or may not be related to her.
6 - Allow mating to occur, and subsequently litters produced, between dogs
that are closely related to each other. i.e. mother/son, father/daughter,
brother/sister mating.
7 - Do not ensure that their dogs have been De-wormed regularly, vaccinated,
and sometimes even flea treated regularly.
8 - Breed their bitches every season.
Buying from a responsible
breeder, rather than a backyard breeder, will not necessarily ensure that
you purchase a puppy that will never have any problems throughout it's life.
But, you can at least rest easily knowing that the puppy and his mother were
brought up properly, have had all of their vaccinations and that you are
getting exactly what you were told you were getting.
Many (but not all) puppies
from backyard breeders rarely turn out the way they are 'supposed to'. Often
leaving the new owner with a dog that is the size of a small horse, with a
coat that needs grooming almost daily and is constantly requiring veterinary
assistance for unknown allergies or tummy upsets.
It may be a little more expensive buying from a responsible
breeder, but it will save you not only money, but a lot of heartache in the
long run.
Author, Jennifer Geitenbeek.
Reference:
http://www.helium.com/items/2033156-difference-in-a-responsible-breeder-and-backyard-breeder
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