How do you define a "professional breeder"?

Question

I just saw someone answer another question by telling the person asking that if they aren't a "professional breeder," they should have their dog neutered. Most breeders I know are not all that "professional," even though they are showing and have been breeding for a long time. I don't see them educating themselves about genetics, testing their breeding stock (this is a toy breed I'm talking about), etc. Mostly, they are calling themselves "professional" and "ethical" because they show. What criteria would you use to describe a breeder as being professional?

So many great answers! Thank you! For one thing, you've helped clear up my distaste of the words "professional breeder." I think "good" and "reputable" are much more accurate. That being said, I'm still disappointed about the U.S. breeders I've talked with in my breed of choice. Seems like all they are concerned with is winning and keeping "newbies" out. Seems like overseas breeders in some countries are taking a longer-term view, especially in regards to checking the health of their breeding stock, which, to me, should be a no-brainer. I'm leaning more and more toward getting my next show dog from one of them, primarily because they are doing the health testing and can prove it.

Answer 1

I like the term "reputable" rather than "professional". The term "professional" has connotations of making money and doing something for a living. Reputable breeders usually don't make much money, and may end up losing money. Breeding should not be about money.

Here are just a few of the things I look for:
- How educated the breeder is about their breed.
- Registered dogs, and the breeder is in good standing.
- Show me the pedigrees of the parents, and parents have championship lines.
- Show me the dam in person, and pictures of the stud if he is off-site.
- Health testing for the parents.
- Temperament evaluations for the parents.
- Show their dogs in confirmation, preferably get championships.
- Always work towards bettering the breed, not just producing puppies.
- Be active in other aspects of the "dog world", such as showing obedience and agility.
- Recognize what animals should and should not be bred.
- Have a spay/neuter contract for pet-quality animals.
- Have a contract stating at if any time the animal cannot be taken care of, it must be returned to the breeder.

Answer 2

I am not sure what would constitute Professionalism in a breeder.. I don't think you can really use that word.. Ethical, or responsible, or those type words fit, but Professional isn't really a breeder term.

Honestly if I had to put a definition to Professional Breeder, I would have to say someone who makes their living as a breeder.. That's what they do.. Like a doctor would be a professional and spent his time learning about health, and making his money from health and helping people stay in health, return to health.. A professional breeder would likely have to be someone who breeds and makes a living from it,
but someone who is very knowledgeable about breeding.

Don't think you can use Professional Breeder... Ethical or Responsible are the 2 that would work.

Answer 3

I see that term thrown around here quite often. I bred Golden's for 27 years and did everything that Walking Lady mentioned and more but I never considered myself as a professional breeder. I did it because I love the Golden breed. I still do and I still own 2.
I don't know I always though the professional breeders were people who bred for commercial breeding programs, but I really don't care what name people use all I know is that I was very proud of the dogs and pup I produced and never really thought about the title.
I agree with Loki the term Professional sounds a bit seedy to me and cold and uncaring.
To the young lady above me. Good job on the CD certification. Now go a bit farther and go for the therapy certification too.

Answer 4

Breeding is not a profession. It's an avocation. Responsible breeders breed to preserve and improve the breed to which they are dedicated. They all have other careers from which they earn a living, in order to support the expensive hobby of responsible dog breeding. Most responsible breeders will refer to themselves as "hobby breeders."
Remember also, that being dedicated to a chosen breed entails much more than producing puppies. It is the responsible breeders who found, fund & man the Breed Rescue Groups, who fund and participate in studies of canine health issues, who educate the public, mentor aspiring breeders, and in general dedicate their lives to the welfare of their breed.
It's a very serious investment of time, money and passion.
Here are some suggested questions one can use to determine if a breeder is truly responsible:

1. Is she an AKC registered breeder of good standing and an active member of her breed Parent Club?

2. Are there AKC Champions listed on the pedigree, showing that the breeder spends her time & money to prove the quality of her breeding stock through competition?

3. Are all the animals kept in clean, comfortable, healthy, loving circumstances?

4. Did the breeder conduct extensive interviews with you and every member of your family?

5. Have the sire & dam received all available health clearances, (eg. OFA Hip & Eye, Thyroid testing, THESE VARY FOR EACH BREED)

6. Is she willing to honestly discuss any possible genetic defects that may exist in her line?

7. Does she have a Sales Contract?

8. Does the contract contain a clause stipulating that you spay or neuter the puppy before it reaches a certain
age?

9. Does the contract contain a clause stating that if at any time in the puppy's life, you can no longer care for it, it must be returned to the breeder? (This ensures that no animal bred by this breeder will ever end up in a shelter).

10. Will the breeder maintain contact with you for the life of the puppy to answer questions and help in general?

Answer 5

That's true, not everyone who shows is a responsible breeder. In fact, sometimes byb and millers put handlers on somewhat decent dogs they've managed to get a hold of. You can't judge by one thing alone...

Edit: I forgot to answer the actual question, sorry.

They're dedicated to the breed...know it inside and out, yet realizes you never quit learning.

They're preferably a breed club member, but as long as I know they're breeding by the ethics of the breed club, it's not mandatory.

They do all health screenings pertaining to the breed and do understand genetics.

They breed to better the breed...health, temperament and type...and it shows.

They breed with a purpose, not simply because they have a couple nice dogs...even champions.

The puppies (dogs) all come with guarantees and pets are sold already spayed/neutered or with spay/neuter contracts (including a clause on what will happen if the owner doesn't...that's key in a contract) and limited registration..not only limited registration!

They screen all inquiries, provide support to new owners and will take a dog back...no questions asked. It's also a huge plus to see them involved with breed rescue.

There's a lot to it, but I tried to sum it up.

.

Answer 6

I don't like the term "professional breeder" because I define it as it sounds -- someone who breeds as their "profession". Meaning that it's their job, what they make money at.

This is a synonym for "commercial breeder", which is another term for "puppy mill".

Every good, responsible, ethical breeder that I know does not breed dogs for a profession. They all have jobs that give them the money to spend on proving their dogs worthy of breeding, and breeding their litters.

An ethical breeder will, as you say, educate themselves on genetics, and their dogs' lines, as well as health problems. They will test their breeding dogs for these health problems. This makes them ethical, responsible, reputable.

It does not make them professional. Usually far from it.

Answer 7

A professional breeder either shows his dogs in conformation, or does obedience or whatever his dog is bred to do - herding for a herding dog, field trials for retrievers, lure coursing for sight hounds, etc. They do all the health tests required for their breed on all their breeding stock. They know their breed standard inside out, as well as their dogs' pedigrees for at least 3 generations back. They do educate themselves about genetics so they can select the best dogs to mate. They put their pet quality puppies on limited registrations so they can't be bred, they screen potential buyers closely, provide guarantees with puppies, and take puppies back who can't stay in their home for whatever reason. They're also available to answer questions and help out new puppy owners.

Answer 8

I agree with PM. I see in here people telling people that want to breed... leave it to the professional..What is a professional breeder. I don't think there is such a thing as professional breeders. Like Loki said it is as though it is their profession and that is their job.

It saddens me when I read someone ask a question in here about breeding and every one jump down their throat about being a back yard breeder.

I am not a prfessional breeder nor am I a back yard breeder. I am a caring breeder. I really care about the breed that I pick to breed. I don't show my dogs they are bred to be pets to someone who has as much love for them as I do.

To me there is no professinal breeder. I have run into some that said they were and the story I could tell you about what they do would but any back yard breeder to shame. That is why I get so upset when I see someone calling someone a back yard breeder. All they want is an answer to their question. Everyone had to start somewhere. Not everyone is born knowing. Thank god when I went into breeding I had experience kind breeders who were willing to teach me what they knew. They didn't call me a back yard breeder they asnwer my question and work with me. Instead of calling them a back yard breeder try helping them so they don't make mistakes. And stop given people a thumbs down when they try to help them Everyone is afraid to help anyone in here because of what bashing they will get if they did.

To me there are so many different breeders. It is up to you to wean them out.

My dogs mean more to me than anything in this life. They will always comes first the puppies will come second. I am very proud what I do and how I do it. So to me a Carning Breeder is a good term. It covers a lot of things.

Answer 9

Professional isn't necessarily a good or bad term.

I think a "good" breeder is one who is conscientious about genetics, and particularly concerned with producing healthy, stable puppies with excellent temperaments. I think "good" breeders care deeply about who to place their puppies with and require contracts and home visits. They will be there for the owner for the entirety of the dog's life.

They are more concerned with finding good, responsible, loving homes than making a buck. They would never consider placing a puppy before 8 weeks and require Puppy Kindergarten at the very least. More training is better.

My golden retriever offered me $50 for every title I put on my Golden Girl. When my girl got her CD in Obedience, I told her to donate that $$ to a rescue group in my dog's name.

Answer 10

1. Luke 2. King Kjors 3. 4 Horsemen aka Niners Fan 4. Cheezy 5. Hannah Hardy 6. 13 Times King of Kings 7. The Main Event WQ: One who wrestles Professionally