Breeding Your Dog -Risks & Responsibilities

"Dog breeding must always be done by a dog lover, it can not be a profession." -Max Von Stephanitz

A Reputable Breeder

• Will ask you a lot of questions.

• Will expect you to ask a lot of questions.

• Will be honest about both the best and worst parts of their  breed.

• Will try to determine if their breed is right for you. They may steer you in another direction if they think their breed is not right for you.

• Will provide you with pedigrees, genetic test results.

• Will show you the dam and (if possible) the sire.

• Are not motivated by profit.

• Are motivated by the love of their breed.

• Breed to improve the gene pool of their breed.

• Are active in showing/obedience/hunting/agility, etc.

• Will want to keep tabs on you and your dog for the dog's life.

A Responsible Breeder

• Is eager to share detailed breed information.

• Believes there are no "stupid" questions.

• Takes every opportunity to educate.

• Explains total breed care.

• Supplies shot records, pedigrees, care information.

• Explains genetic defects in the breed.

• Is willing to let you see the sire & dam.

• Questions the buyers ability to care for the dog.

• Offers guarantees.

• Talks about training and development.

• Cares about each and every pup.

• Maintains sanitary, clean quarters for the dogs.

• Tests all breeding stock.

A Good Breeder

• Tells you about the dogs' siblings.

• Is familiar with their line for several generations.

• Will tell you about their dogs faults as well as strengths.

• Will show you their dogs' x-rays.

• Helps you select a puppy that has a temperament that's compatible with you and your handling skills. May talk you out of a puppy that you like.

• Will offer to refund your money or allow you to select another puppy if yours develops health problems.

Best Breeders

• Second or third generation breeders who truly love dogs.

• Have owned many different breeds before settling on one or two breeds.

• Have worked, shown or competed with their dogs.

• Raise their puppies in the house instead of kennels.

• Like people and are willing to answer all sorts of  questions.

• Genuinely care about their puppies and expect to be kept up to date on their progress and health.

Imported dogs most likely will not come with a guarantee, even from the best, most responsible breeders.

What Is a Puppy Mill? From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Puppy mills (known as puppy farms in the UK and Australia) are dog breeding operations that are considered to be disreputable and irresponsible. The term originated among critics of such operations. Small-scale, irresponsible dog breeding operations are usually called backyard breeding; the terms are akin but not synonymous. The largest concentrations in the USA are allegedly in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania and rural Missouri.

Reputable breeders raise their animals in humane conditions, provide good socialization and often formal training, and adhere to the breed standard. They are knowledgeable about major health problems associated with their breed, and with the principles of genetics, frequently undertaking specific matings to produce or refine particular desirable characteristics in their dogs. They are also sensitive to the requirements of their breeding adults — who may also be breed or performance champions — and the puppies they produce. Reputable breeders frequently screen potential customers rigorously, and usually provide a pedigree and health guarantee with their puppies.

Although many responsible breeding operations tend to be small, size alone is not an indication that a particular operation is a puppy mill. Rather, puppy mills are characterized by ignoring duties that are standard among responsible dog breeders. They may keep their dogs in overcrowded, unclean or otherwise inappropriate surroundings. The puppies they produce may be improperly socialized or may suffer from health problems which are often not disclosed to purchasers. Their breeding animals may also suffer, with females sometimes forced to undergo repeated pregnancies too quickly to fully recuperate between them.

Puppy mill operators may misrepresent the breed of dog being sold, and adult puppy mill dogs may exhibit characteristics uncommon to their advertised breed. Unlike the puppies produced by reputable breeders, the vast majority of puppy mill animals are sold to pet stores. Puppy mill operators are frequently accused of being motivated only by profit rather than a commitment to the breed or any empathy for the animals in their care.

Purchasing dogs, especially those claimed to be purebred, from a pet store is strongly discouraged by reputable breeders and animal shelters. While many pet stores claim to purchase dogs from "local breeders" instead of puppy mills, this is often untrue or is a difference in name only, as reputable breeders generally do not sell animals to pet stores. The phrase "local breeder" may also refer to backyard breeders.

• Medium to large operation whose only purpose is to sell dogs at a profit.

• Will sell to anyone without checking background.

• Will sell to wholesalers, brokers, bunchers.

• Do not do health checks on parents (OFA, CERF, etc.)

• Do not care about temperament, genetics, conformation, or health.

• Operates as cheaply as possible to maximize profits. Often vaccinations and veterinary care are either very poor or non-existent.

• Facilities may be clean, but more often are not.

• Dogs show little to no socialization.

• Pedigrees of dogs are not available.

• Health Guarantees are seldom offered and if so, are usually fraudulent (they may guarantee an animal for 3 months for all defects, when hip dysplasia cannot be entirely ruled out until the dog is 24 months old).

Backyard Breeder

• Thinks "Purebred" = Quality and health.

• Breeds for reasons such as, "I thought she would be more fulfilled if she had puppies." "I wanted the kids to see the miracle of birth." "She's purebred, and I thought I could make some money."

• Backyard breeders usually hope to make some money, but they are not purely profit minded. They are just ignorant.

• Will sell alongside of road or at Flea Markets.

• Provide no titles, no pedigree offered, no knowledge or thought of genetics or testing for genetic defects in the sire or dam.

• The upside is: Some backyard breeders can be educated.

Signs of a Puppy Mill or Backyard Breeder

• The breeder asks you no questions.

• The breeder is offended by questions you ask.

• The breeder cannot offer proof of genetic testing of sire/dam.

• The breeder does not want you to see their kennel.

• The breeder shows you one or two puppies only, does not allow you to see either dam or sire.

• The sire/dam have no titles (obedience, tracking, agility, etc.)

• You can smell the kennels as you get out of your car.

• There are many breeds available to choose from.

Dog Breeding... What is involved in getting into the business
http://www.thepetcenter.com/gen/dbb.html