what is the difference between breeders?

Question

I hear the terms backyard breeder and puppy mill. What is the difference? If a person has 3 dogs, they live in the house and they produce puppies...is this a backyard breeder or a puppy mill?

Answer 1

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 2

A puppy mill is where there are several dogs that are constantly bred. They are not house pets, they are a source of income only. Many of these places over breed their "stock" and keep them in unhealthy living environments.

A backyard breeder is someone who has just a few dogs that breed them regularly. The dogs are not genetic tested, and the puppies are not high quality. The puppies are for profit.

Then there are the hobby breeders. These are people who bred occasionally. They have done the proper genetic tests on their dogs. They are usually members of their national breed club or a local breed club. Their dogs are house pets and well cared for. When they do have a litter, they are usually have a waiting list and are extremely careful about who gets one of their puppies. Hobby breeders never make a profit off selling any puppies, and commonly loose money in the deal.

I hope this helps.

Answer 3

If a person is not a licensed and certified breeder who breeds purebred dogs, and he/she has only a few breeding dogs which create only 1 or 2 litters a year, the person is considered a "backyard breeder". Backyard breeders are subject to the the same local laws as any other dog owners.

Puppy Mills are usually set-ups with dozens (sometimes hundreds) of breeding dogs who are kept like "livestock" and are forced to breed, and breed and breed until they die... Often, if the dogs in these situations cannot produce enough puppies, they are butchered or abandoned somewhere to die. Because their owners hide under the "livestock" laws, which are less stringent than "pet" laws, puppy mill dogs are usually kept in sub-standard conditions, and are often riddled with illnesses and genetic defects. Most dogs in pet stores, and many "designer dogs" come from puppy mills.

The only way to stop both backyard breeders and puppy mills from continuing to profit from the lives of animals, is to refuse to buy dogs from them. Once the endeavor is no longer profitable, the backyard breeders and puppy millers will go out of business.

Don't buy dogs advertised by unlicensed individuals in the newspapers or on-line, and don't buy dogs from pet shops. Instead, adopt a dog from your local shelter.

Answer 4

Backyard breeders are dog owners who decided to breed their dogs. They do it to make money, because they want puppies around, or it is an accident. They do not usually have a show quality dog, nor do they get their dogs tested for various genetic problems associated with their dog's breed.

Puppy mills are sometimes large establishments where all that happens is dog breeding...over and over again. The dogs are kept in filthy conditions, with no regard for their health. All they care about is the end result...the puppy, which they sell off to pet stores for a quick buck. The dogs are not well cared for and are just considered breeding machines, kept in small kennels and are bred whenever the female comes into heat.

As far as your question, that scenario is likely a backyard breeder.

Answer 5

Absolutely a backyard breeder. BYB are dog owners who breeds on purpose for a variety of reasons, predominately money (profit) and because they want to bred their dog because they are "cute". That has been my experience in my field of work. BYB may be ignorant of the breed standard, genetics, behavior, and good health practices. They do not show their dogs and do not breed with a goal in mind (except money) to improve the breed and their pedigree. They do not spend much time finding an ideal match for their *****. Good breeds spend months to years planning the perfect litter that compliments their pedigree and improves health/temperament.

A puppy mills is nothing more than what it is called, a MILL. They bred MANY different breeds at all ages each heat cycle in horrific and inhumane conditions. They have no breeding program, no attention to puppy placement (all about the money), and poor health and socialization practices. Conditions in puppy mills are generally substandard and may be deplorable, and puppies and adult dogs may be malnourished, sickly, and of poor temperament. I have known cases where puppy mill dogs will eat their own feet or cage mates ears off because they are so hungry and such a neurological mess. It is devastating and heartbreaking.

Here is some more information about BYB and puppy mills for you (comparing the two):

http://www.canismajor.com/dog/puppymil.html
http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=1448&S=1&SourceID=47
http://www.everythingsheltie.com/puppy_mill.htm

Hope this helps. Those links are pretty informative.

Answer 6

Probably a backyard breeder.

If the person also has a kennel outside with dogs crapping on each other and all the other atrocities you hear about on the news, it's a puppy mill.

They aren't the same, but both aren't beacons of ethical breeding.

EDIT: The person with three dogs could be an ethical breeder; it's a matter of how many different breeds are present, champion lines, and genetic and health testing. A "certified" breeder in the US doesn't really mean that much. One recommended by the AKC breed club is probably better.

Answer 7

I know of some breeders who just have a few dogs, even AKC registered dogs, but they breed these dogs every heat cycle, without any break in between until the dog's uterus is so worn out it gets infected and the dog either dies or gets tossed out to make room for a new younger one that can start the cycle over making babies twice a year over and over. These are as bad as the puppymillers and backyard breeders. Some think just because they have AKC dogs, that just makes everything okay. This one breeder I know keeps the dogs in the house raises puops in the house, but has no concern for the well being of their females. The females basically spend all their lives either pregnant nursing or in heat. These are the worst klinds of breeders.

Answer 8

A backyard breeder usually only has a few dogs, and might breed them only once, or as much as s/he can, depending. They aren't aware of breed standards or genetic testing. This person usually only has a single breed, or maybe two or three. They, like puppymillers have NO testing done, and rarely even understand what they are doing when mating or whelping a litter. Many actually do care about their dogs. They are just ignorant of the consequences.

In contrast, a puppy miller has many breeds, and knows a good bit about cycles and whelping, but doesn't care aobut anything but making money. They have tons of every breed and non-breed mutt possible. Their dogs mean nothing more than production machinery means to a factory. Breed standards mean nothing to them. Socialization of the puppies is non-existant.

A reputable breeder cares only aobut the quality of dogs produced. They will generally specialize in one or two breeds. Breed standards are known and respected. All possible genetic tests are done. And the number one difference? The reputable breeder is responsible enough to take back any of their own pups at any time for any reason. They will be there beyond the check clearing or the money in the wallet.

ADDED:
Fetch11: Bad news. "Licensed" is what MOST puppymills ARE. The USDA licenses and oversees operations with 60 or more dogs. There is no such thing as a 'certified' kennel.

Answer 9

I would call that backyard breeding - but it may not even be that if the dogs are show champions and have had all their genetic health checks done and not bred with every heat cycle - then it might be responsible breeding.

A puppy mill is usually a situation where the dogs are kept in large numbers and are in runs or crated most of the time. Usually the dogs are unsocialized and kept in unsantiary conditions and bred at every heat cycle.

Answer 10

A backyard breeder is a person who doesn't have there dogs papered, or they are mutts. also they dont do the appropriate health checks and behavior checks, they are just breeding to make money. a puppy mill is a place where they have lots and lots of breeding pairs stuck in cages with filthy environments and they are not taken care of. they are huge money makers and the animals suffer, most of the pets for sale in pet shops are from puppy mills. a good breeder, has mom and dad on site, has registered papers, has done all of the health checks and all the animals are in good living conditions, with lots of human contact. if not dont buy from them. you should also consider adopting before looking for breeders. try www.petfinder.com