Traits of Responsible Breeders

Traits of Irresponsible Breeders

"Into" Dogs (shows, training, clubs, etc.)

Not "into" dogs (has "pets" around the house OR has a number of breeding animals)

Active in dog clubs and organizations

Is not involved in the "dog world"

Proves the quality of their dogs before breeding by competing for titles and certificates in conformation, obedience, agility, field trials, Schutzhund, herding, tracking, etc.

Quality of dogs is claimed to be excellent, but is almost always substandard. They do not test their dogs in shows or trials.

Pedigrees are filled with dogs who have obtained show titles and/or working certificates; Dogs are registered with a reputable registry such as the American Kennel Club, United Kennel Club, or Canadian Kennel Club. Foreign born dogs are registered with the primary registry in their country of birth and may hold dual registration.

Pedigrees are mostly a list of pets bred by backyard or commercial breeders, but there may be one or two titled dogs in the pedigree. The parents are not titled and pups may not even be eligible for registration with the AKC. May be registered with the “Continental Kennel Club” or other puppy mill registry.

Supports rescue groups and is active in rescue efforts. The breeder knows their actions inevitably play some part in pet overpopulation and euthanasia (one of every four dogs in shelters is purebred). They take responsibility for the puppies they produce for their entire lifetime.

Honestly believes that because he places/sells all his pups, he does not contribute in any way to the needless slaughter of millions of dogs per year in shelters (Does not see his role in his pups making pups and them making more pups and so on)

Knowledgeable in every facet of breed, including that of health problems common to the breed. Has extensive knowledge of the health and structure of the dogs behind the pups in pedigree, back multiple generations on both sides. Can tell you what problems are where in the pedigree. Chooses mates carefully based on this knowledge. Rarely uses a stud dog they own.

Not particularly educated about the breed and is often not aware of his own breed's genetic problems. Does not consider genetics when choosing mates and may claim that there are no health problems in his dog’s background. Commonly uses a stud dog they own.

Knowledgeable about house breaking, training, socializing, breeding, nutrition, and health; constantly reads dog-related materials as a continuing effort to improve their breeding program and broaden the scope of their knowledge.

Has limited knowledge about these aspects of dog ownership and doesn't’t consider them important.  Won't bother to read any of the hundreds of publications on health, training, genetics, etc. that are available.

Can and will help and educate puppy buyers on these issues.

Says "Goodbye" and "Good luck".

Willing to give you references from their puppy owners and other dog related professionals.

Has no references and doesn't’t offer any.

Knows his puppies' ancestry in depth and shares both the good and bad details with potential homes.

Knows nothing about the other dogs in the puppies’ pedigree.

Follows up on puppies' well-being throughout the life of the puppy; collects health information affecting his dogs and uses information to make changes in his breeding program.

Does not concern himself with the puppies' well-being after they leave his home. Has no long term breeding plan.

Breeds to improve his own dogs, his bloodlines and the overall breed.

Breeds to make money or to see his "great dog" procreate.

Does not produce a large quantity of puppies, as they do not use dog breeding as a business and strives for quality, not quantity.

Breeds regularly if for money or occasionally if for ego. May cleverly disguise the frequency of breeding or may breed “just once” because he/she is “such a nice dog”.

Rarely repeats a breeding and if a breeding is repeated can give very specific reasons as to what was exceptional about the first breeding and how it will benefit the breeding program in the future.

Often repeats the same breeding, mainly those that are cheap and convenient. Usually breeds all their own dogs or breeds to a friend/neighbor/relatives male.

Breeds only dogs which exemplify the breed standard AND pass appropriate health clearances for the breed such as OFA hips and elbows, CERF eye registration, Thyroid, Cardiac, and specific genetic disease testing.

Dogs used for breeding rarely meet breed standard. They don’t know what the breed standard says or how it applies to their dogs. Doesn’t certify health with OFA, CERF or other registry.

Breeds only dogs with stable temperaments.

Breeds dogs without regard for temperament or claims his dogs have wonderful temperament, but they never leave the house or kennel.

Breeds only mature dogs at least 2 years old, and breeds females no more than 3 times in general, allowing for a period of reproductive rest between litters.

Breeds dogs at any age and as many times as possible. May breed the same female twice a year.

Mate could be anywhere in the world. Takes care to utilize the best possible match-- may use artificial insemination or other expensive alternatives to secure the best choice.

Mate choice is that which is cheap and convenient. He very often owns both the male and female.

Does all genetic testing available and will provide proof of testing and health clearances. Does not breed animals with genetic diseases. Knows what diseases are in the pedigree and how to make breeding decisions to minimize the risk of producing animals with the disease.

Does no genetic testing and may not know what tests are available. Through ignorance of disease in the pedigree and in his young animals they have a high likelihood of producing puppies with health problems. Will not notify you if problems develop after you take your puppy home.

Puppies are mostly sold from waiting list created before breeding even takes place. Puppies are matched to their new families on the basis of lifestyle, personality, temperament, etc.

Puppies are sold after birth in the local newspaper, a "pet fair", yard signs, or from an online puppy advertisement. They are placed first come, first served.

Pet-quality pups generally cost $500+ (show-quality costs more), but are generally healthier and less expensive to own in the long term

All pups are pet-quality and are relatively cheap, usually $200-$400. Some breeders charge at or above the show prospect cost of a reputable breeder to give the illusion of high quality. "Designer dogs" which are actually mutts are often sold at high prices by pet stores and are produced by puppy mills.

Puppies are sold with health guarantees .

Puppies are sold with no guarantee.

Puppies are sold under a contract.

No contracts; does not care what you do with the puppy.

Has an application process and carefully screens prospective homes to ensure both the breed and the puppy is an appropriate fit for the buyer. Requires puppy to be returned to the breeder if he/she doesn't work out.

Doesn’t care if the puppy or breed is right for the person. If the puppy doesn’t work out, says "Find them good homes".

Dogs on property are friendly, socialized, trained and available for you to meet.

Dogs on property may not be available for you to meet. A clever excuse may be offered. Dogs are not trained and may be shy, aggressive, or obnoxious.

Does not own more dogs than they have room, time or money for.  Dogs are groomed, exercised, healthy and happy. The dogs live in the breeders home and may also have a small, clean dog run and grooming/training area in the home. There are usually many dog related items in the home such as pictures and artwork that support the breeder’s genuine love of their breed.

Puppy mills are full of "warehoused" dogs that are not properly groomed or exercised. They don't look healthy or happy. Commercial breeders often have a small kennel where they show a small number of well cared for, reasonably trained dogs as a front for their real puppy mill operation. They often pass themselves off as a family breeder. Backyard pets may be in good condition or may be minimally maintained.

Will introduce you the puppies' dam and will have pictures and info available on the sire. You may speak to the stud dog owner if you wish to.

Might have to "lock up" pups' aggressive or shy parents (dogs that should never have been bred).

Raises puppies indoors where they are constantly exposed to the family activities.

Raises puppies outdoors or in an outbuilding or garage.

Spends hundreds of hours caring for, socializing and developing puppies with exposure to many new experiences.

Let’s the dam raise the puppies alone and doesn’t provide much additional exposure and socialization.

Feeds only high quality, premium dog food and appropriate high quality supplements .

Feeds cheap, grocery store dog food. Provides no supplements.

Visitors must at least remove shoes and wash hands to prevent spread of disease to puppies. May also require a disinfecting spray. Doesn’t allow you to see the litter if you’ve just come from another breeder to protect the puppies from disease.

Has no understanding of and takes no precautions to prevent disease.

Carefully develops the puppies’ temperaments through structured exposure. May alter the weaning date to achieve specific results based on their breeding experience.

Doesn't know weaning a litter too early or too late can result in lifelong temperament problems.

Socializes pups by systematically handling them and exposing them to many sights, smells, textures, people, animals and experiences before they go to their new homes. Often starts puppies on leash, crate and house training. Keeps the puppies until they are AT LEAST eight weeks of age.

Does not understand or want to be troubled with any kind of training; just tries to keep puppies quiet and contained until sold. Often sells puppies at 6 weeks of age or younger to reduce the hassle and expense. I have seen commercial breeders sell puppies as young as 4 weeks!

Tests pups to match their temperaments and drives with buyers' personalities and lifestyles. Is able to provide in-depth information on each puppy and has extensive knowledge of what puppy traits are suitable for a variety of competitive events and companion situations.

Knows nothing about puppy-testing or matching puppies with buyers. Does not keep daily notes on individual puppies. Allows buyers to pick the "cutest" puppy.

Can honestly evaluate the quality and potential of each puppy or has an experienced mentor evaluate puppies.

Says all puppies are high quality.

Never sells to "impulse" buyers .

Is not concerned about buyers being prepared for a puppy.

Never sells two pups at once to the same buyer.

Would consider this killing two birds with one sale.

Interviews prospective buyers, checks home and references, refuses to sell to substandard homes.

Sells first-come, first-served to whomever has the cash. Does not find out anything about the buyer.

Wants to meet whole family of the potential home.

Does not consider anything past obtaining the funds.

Sells only to buyers with disposable income (AKC reports it costs $1327 per year to properly care for a dog).

Is not concerned with whether or not buyers can afford to properly care for the puppy.

Waits for buyers who offer lifelong homes (Knows that only 30 percent of all dogs stay in one home throughout their lives).

Does not reject any buyer.

Understands dogs are "pack" animals and sells pets only to buyers wanting to make the puppy a part of the family.

Doesn't care if pups live as outdoor dogs or chained dogs, being unhappy or anxious at being isolated and separated from his/her "pack".

Sells only to buyers who make pup's safety a priority

Does not consider the best interests of the puppy.

Requires buyers to spay/neuter puppies sold as pets and has specific contractual requirements before a show prospect puppy can be bred.

Doesn’t care if buyers breed, may even encourage them to breed to "make their money back".

Encourages or requires buyers to train puppy and can refer to good trainer in the owner’s area.

Shows no concern for pups after sale. Knows no trainers and has no knowledge of appropriate training methods.

Makes sure buyers understand pup's considerable need for time, attention, exercise and training.

Does not even provide their own dogs with enough time, attention, exercise or training.

Is willing and able to be a continued resource after the pup leaves their home.

After you hand over the cash, he has no interest in you or the pup.

Responsible Breeders
Improve the Breed!

Irresponsible Breeders
Damage the Breed!