How do you know when you're buying from a back yard breeder?

Question

These people tried adding me on myspace selling pit bulls..

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=244846416

What questions should I ask them about their dogs?

Answer 1

Here are a couple of good pages on the differences between BYBs and responsible breeders:

http://www.geocities.com/bluegracepwd/wheretobuy.html
http://www.shilohshepherds.com/puppyBreeders/breederMatrixv4.htm

Questions:
1. How many litters has the female had? How old is she? (If she's less than 2 years old, or is only a few years old and has already had other litters, run).
2. What health clearances do the parents have? (OFA for hip dysplasia at the minimum -- research Pit Bull health problems and ask about all of them)
3. What do they do with their dogs? (Weight pulling? Showing? If the answer is "just pets that we breed", you are dealing with a BYB.)

You've gotten some great answers. Good luck!

Answer 2

stay away. think about it would any responsible breeder be selling their dogs to strangers on myspace. responsible reputable breeder line up homes for their pups before they breed. and the fact that the dogs r so cheap. not to mention they say "Pit bulls for sale" "pit bulls" can describe three different breeds so they dont even know what breed they r selling. just stay away. chances r that their dog's dont have good temperaments and r probably poor examples of the breed. and not to mention the UKC is a bull crap registry. if ur looking for a Pit bull breed go find an american staffordshire terrier, or a staffordshire bull terriers. these breeds will be registered with the AKC

Answer 3

Are both parents registered with the UKC or AKC?
Are both parents champion conformation dogs
Do the pups have a proven pedigree?
Are the pups vaccinated
Do you ship your puppies?(if they say yes than thats bad)
How old are the puppies you are selling?(they should answer 3 months or older)
Did both parents have their genetic tests before you bred them?
Do you offer a lifetime guarentee incase i am not satisfied?

Tell me all about the pup I'm interested in! what are the upsides and downsides to him? Can I come play and interact with the pup before making my final choice?

And a good breeder ushually calls it an American Pit Bull Terrier.

and a good breeder would never post puppies on their myspace page! they have their own website and they will advertise only in dog magazines. no newspapers. they might also advertise at dog shows.

Answer 4

I had never heard of ADBA until today.

These people are definately backyard breeders. The whole MySpace thing gave it away and ADBA seems like a Backyard Breeders Association, this page makes me want to puke, http://www.adbadogs.com/p_pdetails.asp?fpid=109&pg=109 , especially this part...

"It is apparent that we as dog owners have much to lose if we do not maximize our efforts and encourage all purebred dog owners with the same beliefs and goals to join with us.



WE BELIEVE:

Dogs are valuable property and we are dog owners, not dog guardians. As property, animal ownership is a constitutional right and a lifestyle that is worth preserving. Dog ownership denotes rights as well as responsibilities."

Sick.

Definately wouldn't trust these people.

There is lots of good advice already up here for your question.

Answer 5

Most of the time a reputable breeder will be well known and respected in the show dog community. Ask them where they show their dogs or for references of other people who have purchased puppies. If they are a reputable breeder they will have records of all the puppies they have sold and who they sold them to. Many of them will have followed those puppies careers through the show ring. They will also be willing and able to show you health certificates and tests that were run on the parents to screen for genetic faults.

Back yard breeders aquire two "purebred" dogs and breed them together and it is enough for them if one is a female and one is a male. They don't pay alot of attention to quality, they just know that they will get "purebred" puppies who's quality will be questionable.

Answer 6

Well the fact they are selling/advertising on my space is a red flag! True by the book breeders who are dedicated to all aspects of the dogs they breed, do the proper genetic health testing as well as showing and only breeding good show dogs do not advertise in papers or online like that. They normally sell by word of mouth or have their own web page showing all the achievements of their dogs and lineage. As well they will have a questionnaire to fill out before they will even sell you a dog, have to meet you face to face, and will not ship dogs to buyers. As well good breeders don't normally just breed to produce pups, they will breed when they have two good matched dogs to breed who have been outstanding in all areas. Hope that helped...

Answer 7

Part One: The Basics
Before you answer that ad for "puppies for sale" or "dogs for sale", learn the correct answers for your breed at www.doggies.com so you can ask the following questions of a breeder.
What size (height and weight) is correct for this dog breed?
Does this dog breed need to be brushed or combed more often than once a week?
Does this dog breed require professional help in clipping or grooming?
How much ground needs to be covered in daily exercise? Is a one-mile walk a lot or not very much for this dog breed?
Is the dog breed you have selected one of the dog breeds that are subject to any genetic diseases? Have the appropriate tests been performed to avoid those diseases?
Contact rescuers of the breed (http://www.akc.org/breeds/rescue.cfm will get you started) to know how the breeder should answer this question:
What are the most common reasons given for giving up this dog breed to rescue?


Part Two: Investigate
Confirm that all of the following are true.
Reputable breeders are more than happy to tell you about their dogs, environment and breeding conditions.

Puppies for sale are born on the premises - not shipped in.
Breeder does not sell puppies to wholesalers, brokers, dealers or retail shops.
Dog set up is clean and well kept.
Breeder insists that the puppies for sale will be at least seven weeks old before being placed.
Sire and dam of the litter are at least two years old and were tested for genetic health before the breeding.
Breeder volunteered information on the health testing of most of the immediate relatives of the sire and dam, volunteered proof and offers a guarantee against genetic health problems of at least two years. (Note: It isn't possible to produce dogs entirely free of genetic problems.)
Puppies for sale and dogs for sale have been introduced to children and other animals as part of their socialization.
Breeder reviewed some of the problems some people have with the breed.
Breeder asked if you plan to breed the dog.
Breeder is available as a resource for advice and support for the life of the dog.
Breeder promises to take the dog in (not return your money) if you can't keep it, for the life of the dog.
Breeder provides a contract for your review and goes over it with you.
Breeder raises no more than 3 or 4 different breeds of puppies for sale and dogs for sale. It is very difficult for a breeder to be competent in more breeds.
Breeder is a member of a breed club.
Breeder's primary concern is finding a good home for the puppy, rather than getting paid.
Breeder asked you lots of questions about your lifestyle, family, experience with dogs and other pets, why you are looking for a dog for sale.
Breeder was happy to answer all your questions and made you feel comfortable asking for advice.
Breeder acknowledges to you that they are familiar with the Breeders.NET Code of Ethics and have agreed to be bound by its standard of behavior.


Part Three:
What you should get with your puppy
a properly executed Registration Certificate. Registration materials may be withheld if a written statement is provided of when, and under what conditions, they will be provided (e.g. until the time of spay or neuter by the new owner as verified by a veterinarian, or if a written certification identifying the exact date of birth, and the AKC, UKC or CKC (in Canada) registration numbers of the Sire and Dam are provided instead).
written, three-generation pedigree.
health record including a diet, inoculation and parasite control record, and health guarantee.

basic diet and care information.>
time frame during which the puppy or dog may be examined by a licensed veterinarian, at the buyer's expense, and, upon written recommendation of the veterinarian for specific reasons, the puppy or dog may be returned to the seller for a full refund of all money paid.

Answer 8

1.. see the parents
2. see both parents/grandparents OFA CLEARANCES
3. See if both parents are finished champions
4. make sure lifetime health guarantee against Genetic health issues.
5. make sure they sell on a spay/neuter limited registration


want to know what a GOOD BREEDER IS/DOES? go to HONOR GOLDEN RETRIEVERS website...

a responsible breeder will socialize their pups, start housebreaking/crate training/ leash training etc. etc. etc..

Answer 9

To name a few...

What is their pedigree?
How much are you asking for this dog?
Are both parents on the premises?
Will you provide any health guarantees (pitties are prone to skin and ear problems as well as joint problems)?
What is your return policy?
Whom have you sold dogs to in the past and will you give me their contact information?

Answer 10

First clue you're dealing with a BYB - trying to sell their dogs on Myspace

Second clue - $200

Third clue - says their occupation is raising pit bulls

Fourth clue - ADBA registration