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Types of Breeders
In your search for a puppy, you will run across different types of breeders. It's important to be aware of the pros and cons of each. We encourage you to buy a puppy from a 'reputable hobby breeder' or 'experienced breeder' rather than a puppy mill, commercial breeder or backyard breeder. Here's why:
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Trait
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Puppy Mill
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Commercial Breeder
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Backyard
Breeder
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Reputable Hobby
Breeder
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Reputable Experienced
Breeder
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Motive for Breeding
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To supply pet stores and make a profit.
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To supply pet stores and make a profit.
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To produce puppies for profit, or so their kids can experience "the miracle of birth," or to have another just like one of the parents.
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To better the breed and continue a well thought-out plan.
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To perfect a specific type to leave a legacy.
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Breed Club Member
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Hardly ever.
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Has a network of business contacts instead.
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May masquerade as a member.
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Yes and extremely
dedicated.
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Yes and extremely dedicated.
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Mentor
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Not interested in breed improvement.
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Does not specialize in specific breed.
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Works independently, lacks guidance.
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Invites knowledge.
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Is a mentor, writes books or articles,
conducts seminars.
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Breeds to the Standard
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Uses any available stock.
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Focuses on general appearance.
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May not even be aware of the breed standard. Breeds to any convenient dog.
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Strives towards the ideal.
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Often helps to
define it.
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Activity in dog related activities (shows/trials, rescue)
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Does not need to promote establishment; sells to brokers, pet shops, etc.
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Does not need
to promote establishment; sells to brokers, pet shops, etc.
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Often rescues only to attain more stock. Rarely attends shows or trials.
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Shows and trials to objectively test breeding stock.
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Often judges, provides seminars,
writes articles, and willingly mentors serious Hobby Breeders.
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Knowledge
of the Breed
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Often pretends to know some.
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Claims that it's not important.
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May share false or incomplete information.
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Studies continuously.
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Impacts the breed for many decades
with knowledge of
dogs over many generations.
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Sells pets with spay/neuter contract and tries to stay in touch with new owners
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Often issues papers via generic "registries" with less stringent requirements.
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All pups sold have full breeding rights.
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May charge more for "breeding" papers.
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Yes, and diligently
follows up on progeny.
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Always differentiates breed/pet quality and insists on frequent updates.
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Keeps up with health and temperament issues affecting the breeding
and provides
in-depth guarantees
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No need to; mostly supplies brokers and pet shops.
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Meets minimum standards as required by state law.
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May refuse to acknowledge most problems. Considers shows and trials as too "political."
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Goes above and beyond standard requirement.
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Maintains a solid support system - accepts full responsibility for every puppy
produced.
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Performs health testing for all breeding stock for genetic diseases affecting the particular breed.
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No interest, may offer papers as proof of quality. Papers alone are not proof of quality.
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No interest. May provide undocumented paperwork for appearances sake.
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Is unfamiliar with health testing usually statements of good health are stated to impress consumers.
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Intensive testing always a priority.
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Often initiates club sponsored seminars and clinics. Intensive testing always a priority.
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Maintains records on all dogs in gene pool including progeny.
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Often supplies brokers and pet shops, records unavailable.
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Dogs and puppies are often auctioned off in lots, records unavailable.
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Focuses mostly on current dogs, no records or knowledge of genes.
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Attempts to continuously
track every puppy produced.
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Bases entire breeding program on extensive gene pool data.
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Clean environment always maintained
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Minimum standards vary greatly in cleanliness.
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Minimum standards maintained for state inspections.
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Conditions may vary greatly depending on available income,
usually makeshift accommodations.
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Usually "home raised with love" and well cared for. Clean, healthy and mentally stimulating environment.
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Clean, healthy and mentally stimulating environment.
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Expected longevity with any particular breed
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Will continue as long as the sales are coming.
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Depends on popularity of specific breeds.
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Unrealistic expectations - easily disillusioned.
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On a mission-plans to stay for the long haul.
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Involved with the breed / breeding for decades - makes a lifetime commitment.
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Health guarantee provided
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No, it cuts into profits.
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7-day guarantee mandated by state.
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No health guarantee beyond proof of first set of vaccines, if that. Not
qualified to give advice if a problem arises.
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Offers written guarantee and is available to answer questions to new owners. Good knowledge of history in dogs.
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Extensive knowledge of health
history, offers replacements to
owners of genetically affected dogs.
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Ability to meet the parents of the litter
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If available, may be in poor physical condition.
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If available, dogs are not used to contact with people.
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May or may not be well loved and cared for companions, often
unwilling to show entire litter or parents to buyer.
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Shows friendly mother and entire litter in clean environment; stud dog too, if in residence. Helps
buyer choose appropriate puppy.
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Can explain how breeding was
planned to emphasize specific qualities and can speak at length about how puppies compare.
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What you can expect after purchase
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Nothing, may not be able to contact at all.
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No concern for dog after sale is final.
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Tells you if you can't keep it to take it to the pound or shelter.
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Available for questions, and wants to keep in touch. Will take back dog or puppy at any time.
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After purchase will help with training and grooming, available for all questions and knows the answers.
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Price
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Lowest end of range.
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Priced according to market, but is marked up from original source for profit.
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Mid-range to move puppies quickly.
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High end of mid-range.
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Price will not reflect all that is invested.
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