Differences Between Responsible And Irresponsible Hobby Breeders.

source: Author Victoria Rose, POB 4816, Auburn CA. 95604. Permission given to reproduce this list.

There are many, many breeders out there that only breed dogs as a hobby. Many of them are responsible, but more than not, most are irresponsible with their breeding "programs." The differences are many, so I found a great list that tells the difference of each.

A responsible hobby breeders is active in the dog world, such as showing in conformation or obedience, or belongs to the local kennel club.
A backyard breeder just has dogs around the house.
A responsible hobby breeder has titles on their dogs from showing them in conformation or obedience or any other form of dog shows.
A backyard breeders doesn't care about quality, just money.
A responsible hobby breeder has pups with pedigrees full of dogs with show titles and never breeds dogs without papers.
A backyard breeder doesn't have this, or may not even have papers for their pups. But, now the CKC lets people register substandard dogs and "designer" dogs or mongrels. (mixbreeds)

A responsible hobby breeder supports all rescue groups.
A backyard breeder contributes to the overpopulation of dogs by breeding substandard pups that usually end up in shelters because of behavioral or medical problems.
A responsible hobby breeder is totally knowledgeable of his dogs breed, including all health issues associated with that particular breed. Researches genetics when choosing a mate.
A backyard breeder does not care or research anything about the breed they are breeding. It is just a way to make money to them.
A responsible hobby breeder is knowledgeable about all facets of house-training, socializing, training of dogs and is constantly reading up on new material about their certain breed.
A backyard breeder usually isn't up on their dog's breed, and doesn't care about socializing, just want them gone when they are about 5 wks. old.

A responsible hobby breeder will help educate puppy buyers about the dog they are buying.
A backyard breeder just say "goodbye and good luck."
A responsible hobby breeder is very, very willing to give references.
A backyard breeder has no references or "dances" around the issue of references.
A responsible hobby breeder knows his puppies ancestry and can tell you right on the spot.
A backyard breeder knows nothing about ancestry of the puppies they have brought into the world.
A responsible hobby breeder follows-up on their puppies and collects health information affecting their dogs. (will contact the person about 1-2 wks. after purchase to see if puppy is o.k. health wise)
A backyard breeder does not concern themselves with the puppies after they leave the premises.

A responsible hobby breeder breeds to improve his bloodline and the breed.
A backyard breeder breeds just to make money or see is "great dog" procreate.
A responsible hobby breeder rarely breeds because it is not a business and strives for quality, not quantity.
A backyard breeder breeds constantly for money or a puppy mill. If for ego, just once in awhile, or just once before spaying or neutering.
A responsible hobby breeder rarely repeats a breeding.
A backyard breeder often repeats breeding's, mainly those that are cheap and convenient.
A responsible hobby breeder only breeds dogs that meet the breed standard.
A backyard breeder uses dogs that don't meet the breed standard.

A responsible hobby breeder breeds dogs with stable temperaments.
A backyard breeder will breed dogs with shy or aggressive temperaments.
A responsible hobby breeder breeds dogs only 2 yrs. old and a limited number of times.
A backyard breeder uses dogs of any age and any number of times.
A responsible hobby breeder uses mates from other places and rarely uses their own males to breed.
A backyard breeder chooses mates that are cheap and convenient and local. Usually their own sire and dams.
A responsible hobby breeder does all the genetic testing required for that breed and does not breed dogs with genetic defects.
A backyard breeder does not spend the money to have the required testing done and breeds dogs with genetic defects knowingly.

A responsible hobby breeder has a waiting list for their puppies and has a contract that goes with every puppy.
A backyard breeders sell on the "first come, first served," basis and through the paper and pet stores on consignment or in a flea market. No contract.
A responsible hobby breeder sells pet quality pups for $500.00-$600.00. (show quality is more)
A backyard breeder's pups are all pet quality and sell super cheap, usually $200-$400.00.
A responsible hobby breeder sells pups with health guarantees
A backyard breeder sells pups sometimes with a guarantee, but more than not, no guarantee. If they do, and a pup is brought back, a lot of times it is resold, if it doesn't die, or they will spend money to get it well and add that expense to the price and say it is show quality or breeding quality.

A responsible hobby breeder raises pups indoors and socializes them that way.
A backyard breeder raises pups outside and unsocialized.
A responsible hobby breeder keeps pups with mother for a minimum of 49 days to let the pup learn from the mother and other litter-mates and get the proper nutrients from the mother's milk.
A backyard breeder doesn't know or care that leaving the litter early can cause life-long temperament problems or staying too long can hurt bonding with humans. The sooner the pups are gone, the sooner they can have another and make more money.
A responsible hobby breeder has visitors remove shoes and wash hands to prevent the spread of parvovirus.
A backyard breeder takes no precautions to prevent diseases and doesn't care. It is the buyers responsibility to prevent disease.

A responsible breeder interviews prospective buyers and meets the whole family and will not sell to substandard homes or homes with abusive children or extremely young children.
A backyard breeder sells to anyone and does not care what type of environment the puppies are being taken into to.
A responsible hobby breeder takes into consideration the dog first.
A backyard breeder does not care if the dog is indoor, outdoors, chained up and isolated, they are only money to them.

Please consider all these things if you are considering buying a puppy from a hobby breeder. And never, never buy from a pet store. If you are looking for a specific breed, remember there are breed specific rescue groups with dogs awaiting a loving home.

There Are Only 4 Sizes Of Dogs.

I have spoken to AKC to make sure I am correct on sizes of certain breeds. I knew I was, but I have a lot of people that say I don't research my posts, well, I do. My one concern, particularly, is the Yorkshire Terrier. This dog is one of the most common dogs in the country. This is the reason that the backyard breeders have gotten ahold of them to make a dollar from unsuspecting people that don't know any better about sizes and weight and coloring, etc.

I have seen with my own eyes, dogs that are mature and weigh only 1 pound. This is crazy. I have a post called "Too Young, Too Small." This is an extension of that post. The AKC standard for the Yorkshire Terrier, or the Yorkie, as it is fondly called, is: no dog under 3 lbs. or over 5lbs. Now, this is the standard for the ideal dog, according to AKC, the original breed registry. But, they were quick to point out that any dog under 3lbs. is a fault, not only for the show ring, but for breeding, and companion dogs. They were in agreement with me on the "micro and teacup" titles in some breeds. i.e. Yorkies, Poodles, Shih Tzu, etc. There are no micro or teacup breeds. This is just something backyard breeders say to entice unsuspecting people to buy a dog to keep up with the fad that was started a few years ago.

I hear people say, "Oh, I have a teacup Poodle." No you don't. You have a toy Poodle that is too small to enter the show ring or breed. People, there are no micro or teacup breeds. There are Toy, Miniature, Standard and Giant breeds. 4 sizes, no more!

Too Young and Too Small.

This post is the opinion of the blogger and comes from my years of working with dogs.

Working in the mall at Just Dogs! Gourmet has let me get to know a lot of repeat customers and see a lot of cute dogs. The only problem is they are usually only 6 to 8 wks. old and only a pound or two. I am not kidding! People don't understand that young puppies are so susceptible to disease and upper respiratory disease problems. And, the breeders that are breeding these "designer" dogs that are "micro" as they call them, are just breeding puppies to be put down because they are so small that their internal organs don't develop fully and can't fight infections because their immune system is defunct.

I get so, so upset when I see these dogs. Most generally, when the person takes them out of their carrier all they do is shake and tremble. These poor dogs are not going to be able to lead a normal "dog" life. By this I mean they won't be able to go up stairs or jump off a bed or couch, or play hard with the other dog in the family, if there is one, things like that.

These people tell me they pay up to a thousand dollars for their dogs. Incredible that people are so naive as to think that something that small will be healthy. Then, when they do get to a vet, the vet tells them how unhealthy their dog is and they just can't understand, or they take the dog back, and some other person buys it, and the cycle begins again.

I had two young girls come in today with a teacup Parson Russell Terrier. There is no such creature. She took the dog out of the carrier and when she took it from her friend, she just grabbed it by the nape of the neck and put it back in. I couldn't hold my tongue, I told her not to do that, it could damage the puppy. Well, about an hour later, they came back and asked if I knew why her dog hadn't eaten in 4 days. They had tried all the puppy chow type foods. I suggested she get to a vet asap. The poor little girl dog just shook continually, so sad.

Remember, their are no micro-terriers or teacup anything. So, if you are deciding to buy one, your dog may, notice the wording, 'MAY', not be pure. They say they are, but some use long hair Chihuahua's to get the size. And, usually they are CKC registered. This is the registry that all you have to do is send in 12 dollars and they send you papers.

They don't even have litter registration fees. This means a person can have a litter every time their female comes in heat and they don't have to pay for the puppies to be registered. The people that breed a female every heat cycle, are not reputable. I, personally, and this is my opinion, believe that the breeders are just breeding for money and not the love of the breed. If the breeder will not let you come to their home to see the puppy and wants to meet you at a neutral place, buyer beware! Always make sure you see the parents and the grandparents, if possible, on the latter. Look at all the vet records, and call the vet, if possible.

Do everything possible to ensure that the tiny puppy you are purchasing, is healthy, along with the parents. Research is everything. The longer a puppy is on her mom, the better. I like to see them go at 8-10 wks. old. The mothers milk holds lots of nutrients that puppies need to fight diseases. I just this moment, 1/9/08, 11:30am, got off the phone with AKC. True, AKC is not perfect, but they don't advocate mixing breeds, as CKC does. Why spend 1000's of dollars for a "mutt," and that is what these designer dogs are, when you can spend less and get a fabulous purebred, or go to a breed rescue if you have to have a purebred. If you are going to get a mix, go to a shelter and adopt a dog that is going to be put down, because no-one wants it. These "micro" dogs are just a fad, don't get caught up in it.

Again, this post is solely the opinion of the blogger and does not reflect the opinions of anyone but me. Tamara Myers-White