What exactly is a byb?

Question

This may seem like a stupid question to some of the yahoo radicals out there. I'm curious, what qualifies a person as a "back yard breeder?" Does having one litter of pups qualify you as a byb?

Don't be scared to voice your opinion...yeah right, as if you wouldn't.

So, if they have done their research, and they are not breeding the dogs for profit they can be safe from the label?

I think I have it now. If you have papers on a dog, and you allow it to give birth in your house, it's ok?

Now I have another question. What exactly would "making the breed better" mean? If the mom and dad pass all heath and temperment test, does that mean their pups will "better their breed"?

No, I'm not talking about a puppt mill...

Answer 1

Oh I get it now. If I do research, get a degree in genetics, then try to make the breed better, like what, breeding it to play piano?

To me a back yard breeder is really a puppy mill, someone that just breeds to breed and has no regard for where the puppies go and doesn't take care of them.

If you would like to breed your dog, and take care of it, and make sure that the puppies go to good homes and are cared for and loved then you are a responsible breeder.

Some people here are so high and mighty, they must be breathing different air with their noses so high.

Having a litter of pups does not qualify you as a backyard breeder, but if you breed her and breed her and breed her just for the cash and don't look after her or the pups and don't give a hoot about their living conditions and where the puppies go, then I guess that is what a BYB is to me.

Answer 2

No, just having one litter does not qualify some one as a BYB. There are many different ideas among breeders as to what is considered a BYB. In my opinion, a BYB is an individual who breeds his dog for the soul reason of money without consideration of whether the litter will actually improve the breed or is at least a good representation of what the breed standard is, regardless of how many litters the breeder breeds. Not researching bloodlines, health issues or suitability of a cross is in my opinion a BYB. If you are responsible in breeding your dog, have done health checks and don't just breed your dog because you can and want to make money, then, no, I would not classify you as a BYB. As I said, there are many opinions from breeders on who is classified as a BYB. As to the comments that in order to breed you have to have the intention of the pups competing for titles, I do not totally agree with that. I have Australian Shepherds and do not show or do herding trials, but they are bred to the standard and exemplify the breed. I live on a ranch and use them as working dogs. I would definitely feel justified to breed my female to a stud dog that exemplified her characteristics and have pups that are great working dogs. If I did all the research of the bloodlines, did the health certifications, only sold pups to qualified homes, then I would be considered a responsible breeder and not a BYB, whether they were sold to show homes or companion homes. JMHO.

Bettering the breed is as simple as making sure that the cross you are picking will produce pups that are the breed standard. Not breeding to any dog that has health problems in their pedigree, have bad temperments or have obvious cosmetic flaws or cannot perform for their intended purpose. Hope this answers your question. You want to breed for the best possible representation of the breed standard.

Answer 3

They breed, but not to improve the breed, and do not do health clearances. They get their breeding info from sources like HERE. They do not take back any dog they have produced at anytime forever. They often have no ral contract or guarantee against health problems.

I have no pronlem with someone who has at least decent quality dog that look like the breed they should be, do the health clearances needed for that breed, and know enough about breeding and whelping that they are not a danger to the process. I would prefer people register with the AKC since at least there is a better chance of the dogs being purebred.
Bettering the breed means you are not breeding something that adds to the crap in that breed. Like dysplastic dogs, dogs with horrid bites, bad temperments, and other genetic problems. It also mean that you are breeding what you hope is better than what you started with. Like you have a PLAN!! Putting two dogs together can produce just some pet quality puppies, or it can produce GREAT puppies. If you know enough to have a plan to breed two dogs that compliment each other, you are hoping to create better than what the parents were. Not just breeding to make puppies.

I do not breed because I need some cash, or because I have 10 people waiting for a puppy. I breed when I am looking for something I need. Another stud or bit ch. I have a PLAN with the breeding and something to look for. THAT is the difference between a good breeder and a BYB. VISION FOR THE FUTURE!!!! Most BYB know nothing about lines and how traits are passed on. They stick the two easiest dog together to get puppies to sell That is it.

Answer 4

In my opinion, a BYB has not done sufficient research to breed, and is not bettering the breed in any way. This would include people breeding there dogs simply because they are a good pet, or because they're cute, or because they think they can make money off of the pups.

A BYB doesn't know much about the actual breed they are breeding, and doesn't know about the process. They do nothing to ensure that the female and male are breeding quality (IE: Conformation, health testing, temperament testing, etc.).

ADDED: Bettering the breed would mean breeding out unwanted and unhealthy characteristics.

Answer 5

A backyard breeder is effectively anyone who throws two dogs together to get a litter. They may be two different breeds, the same breed, registered or not. The focus is on making a few bucks on pups and not breeding to improve the quality of the breed.

These folks often don't know (or even care) about breed standards, showing to championship, screening for genetic defects or proper care of the mother and the litter. Some are better than others in terms of caring for their animals and finding decent homes for pups, but a large majority are people with little experience that don't have a clue what they are doing.

Answer 6

Someone who:

1) Doesn't do genetic testing
2) Doesn't show (or otherwise get external opinions about the quality of their dogs from a knowledgable, non-biased source)
3) Doesn't have a waiting list for puppies before they're born
4) Doesn't participate in rescue
5) Sells to anyone who has enough money to buy the dog
6) Breeds their dogs "because they're cute and would make such cute puppies"
7) Breeds more than 2 or 3 breeds of dogs at a time
8) Breeds ANY sort of "designer dog" or "hybrid breed"
9) Doesn't work to improve the breed through the pairing (just throwing Fido and Fluffy together six times and selling the pups is not bettering the breed - the pups are supposed to be an IMPROVEMENT on the parents!)

Just for starters.

And if you don't know what "improving on the parents" or "improving the breed" means, then you shouldn't be breeding.

** GREAT links, Ann and animal_artwork!!! ***

Answer 7

If you have even one litter of pups without having...
1.All the papers on the dogs
2.A complete understanding of the breed
3.All health tests passed with flying colors,
4.The intention of bettering the breed
5.Dogs with beautiful temperments

Then yes, you would be a back yard breeder.

You are also a back yard breeder if...
1.You are trying to breed for money
2. You are breeding dogs without papers
3. You are breeding dogs that haven't had extensive health tests done
4. You are breeding 'Teacup' dogs
5. You are breeding mixed breed ogs
6. You are breeding dogs that aren't close to the breed standard (Razor's Edge Pit Bulls aren't! Sorry!)
7. You are breeding with no knowledge of dog breeding

Answer 8

Heres an excellent chart :
http://www.jlhweb.net/Boxermap/reputablebreeder.html

In response to " So, if they have done their research, and they are not breeding the dogs for profit they can be safe from the label?"
No even if they dont make a profit it doesnt make them a good breeder. For example someone that breeds dogs without doing health tests then sells them for just the cost of vaccinations. They think they are helping people, find cheap dogs but they are BYBS.

Added in response to " I think I have it now. If you have papers on a dog, and you allow it to give birth in your house, it's ok?"
Absolutely not, a BYB doesnt necessarily mean their dogs give birth outside, it just means they are breeding for the wrong reasons. Papers dont gurantee quality but are just a reference to its ancestors. To be a reputable breeder, it takes a lot more then 2 purebreds with paper.

Answer 9

You mean like a puppy mill?

They keep dogs in really poor conditions and in little cages. They barley feed them, just enough to keep them alive. They do all this just because they want puppies to sell. Cruel and inhumane.

My family memebers had a litter of puppies, on accident though. But if you do it just to sell the puppies, you aren't a BYB, you're just an ******. Birthing puppies is a difficult process for the mother. As long as you keep her well nutritioned, maybe I'll consider you as a... decent person. =) Just don't do it too often please, there are enough dogs in the world. Half of them need saving.


I'm pretty sure you're clean!

Answer 10

This is a legitmate and fair question. If you are going to toss around terms like BYB or puppy mill, you should be able to clearly define them for someone who asks.

I'd cite the same source as Animal_artwork but she already did. I use that website for all kids of information.