Testing Before Breeding.

Breeding a dog is not something to take lightly. But, it seems that breeders in our area don't care about getting their dogs certified for hips, eyes, elbows, heart and other necessary tests to make sure that their breeding dogs are genetically sound.


Most people just throw two dogs together and sell the pups to first come, first serve. Not caring about where their pups go. Most of the people breeding in this area use the "AKC" logo as their selling point. I have been looking for a female for my male lab for over 3 yrs., and haven't found one in our area. I am in a forum called "retrievertraining.net" and have learned a lot. There are many tests that need to be done before breeding should occur.


The certification for hips is to make sure that the parents are not dysplatic or carrying the displatia gene. The same for elbows. Eye certification is for "cherry eye." This is a hereditary eye disease seen in Cockers, Maltese and other breeds that have long eyelashes.


In the lab breed, there is a test for EIC, which is Exercise Induced Collapse. This is where a dog will eat and then is exercised heavily and just collapses and dies. The stomach twists. If caught, surgery can sometimes, notice the wording, sometimes, correct it ans save the dog's life.

Brucellosis is caused by bacteria known as Brucella canis. The disease spreads from one dog to another during breeding or oral contact with vaginal discharges, aborted fetuses and placentas, semen or urine. It occurs most frequently in breeding kennels, though family pets may become infected also. This test should be done on both breeding dogs.

Pregnant females with brucellosis abort their puppies, while nonpregnant bitches may fail to conceive when bred. Males develop swelling of the testicles and usually become sterile. Some dogs appear to be in excellent health yet are infected and capable of spreading the disease.
Diagnosis is by blood culture and/or blood testing. More than one blood sample is usually required.

Tests for heart murmurs are a necessity in the breeds with deep chests, such as Boxers, Dachshunds and Dobermans. Rottweilers and Labradors are known for cancer. So, having them checked for the cancer gene is so important. But, these tests are somewhat expensive, but so worth it. If you take the time and expense to do them, you will be known as a reputable breeder and save litters of puppies from having to be put down due to genetic problems.

That is why all puppies sold in stores are sick. They come from puppy mills where the people don't care about anything except money. The parents are just cash crops and once they are not viable breeders, they are put down, usually very inhumanely. Always get health certification on any dog you buy. If the breeder doesn't have any medical certificates for you to look at, don't buy. In other words, no medical certificates, buyer beware!

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.

Breeding For The Love Of The Breed.

In my new job, I talk with many, many dog people. I have only met 2 people, in the 3 weeks that Just Dogs! Gourmet has been open, that were not true dog people. Today, I got to talking to a family that raises rough coated Collies. I was skeptical at first, since that is my nature. I figured they were just backyard breeders that did it for the money.

As we talked more, I found out I was wrong in my assumption. The lady truly loved her dogs. She has 5 Collies that she is totally devoted to. They have been breeding for 2 yrs. and have only had 2 litters with one of their females, whom is now 8. They are getting her spayed soon. The husband began talking with me and said that they don't need the money, they just love the breed. They don't sell to pet stores or on the Internet or through the paper. They do word of mouth.

I thought that was fabulous. I told them how I felt about people that just breed to make money and don't care about the dogs or where the puppies went. They agreed whole-heartily. It was really refreshing to talk with people that breed for the love of the breed. They live in Hurricane, WV.

Designer Dogs - The Worst Of Both Breeds.

The mixing of purebred dogs, in my opinion, as a groomer, is a cocktail of the worst of both breeds. By this, I mean that every "designer" dog I have groomed has had major skin problems or health problems. Being a purist, I do not believe in mixing breeds. There might be some breeders of these dogs that have researched and are breeding the best of both into their "designer" dogs, but I have not seen that in the Tri-State area. All I have seen are the worst. If you are thinking of purchasing one of these mixes, please do the research about each of the breeds that have been mixed. Go online, talk to a vet, but do the research. Backyard breeders are so common everywhere, but they are very prevalent in the Tri-State, and they are doing nothing but breeding litters that most likely will have hip, elbow, eye, heart and other health issues as they do not have their breeding stock certified that they are healthy to breed and will not transfer any genetic defects to the litters. Thus, you have litters of puppies that by the age of 1 or 2 will have to be put down due to major health issues. Or you have shelters filling up with them because they are not what the person expected.

Irresponsible Breeding is Abuse.

Did you know that in some states, irresponsible breeding is against the law? By this, I mean that if one person has a male and one person has a female of the same breed, and they just put the dogs together without doing the proper DNA testing and vet checks, with the proper hips/eyes/elbows, etc., it is illegal. In 2003, A.K.C. started the Frequently Used Sire Program. If a breeder has more than 3 litters in a calendar year, the sire must be DNA tested before the 4th breeding or if the breeder has 6 litters in a lifetime,(ex: 3 litters in 2006 and 3 litters in 2007) the sire must be DNA tested before the 7th litter. I also understand that there are quite a few new registry's that have popped up in recent years. One that seems to be prevalent around the Tri-State is the CKC or The Continental Kennel Club. They just are not as stringent on their rules. Not saying that they are not good, just not as stringent on the rules as A.K.C. I am just more comfortable with A.K.C. With the CKC, you don't have to do the DNA like with A.K.C. Even though I don't breed, I have a digital xray of my Yellow Lab's hips and spine. I am a purist. I do not believe in mixing breeds to get a "designer" dog. I have been working dogs for over 20 yrs. I have seen a lot of these mixed breeds or "designer" dogs, and have seen the health issues that come with mixing. Purchasing a puppy from a pet store is extremely risky. Most purchase their puppies from puppy mills. And, if looking for a puppy, make sure that you see the parents. Seeing the parents will give you an idea of what you are buying, i.e. temperament, looks, and any faults, such as cherry eye, or conjunctivitis, which is hereditary, weak hips or elbows, which also are hereditary. Buying from a pet store does not allow you to view the parents. Not having all the information on your puppy is like, well, like when I go to the doctor and, being adopted, as I am, don't have any idea what my medical history is. Remember, knowledge will help you purchase that puppy that will fit right into your home, hence making you and the puppy both happy.

This information was gathered by me throughout my years working with dogs.