[AMD]

TRAITS OF A BACKYARD BREEDER

(i.e. Red Flags to watch out for)

• Motive for breeding: "fun", "good for kids", "to make money". Does not screen buyers and seldom refuses to sell, even if buyer is unsuitable.

• Breeds the family pet to any convenient pet of the same breed just to have purebred pups. Has no understanding or concern with genetics, pedigree bloodlines, or breed improvement.

• Sells with Full Registration

• All pups are pet-quality

• Though the pets (sire/dam of pups) may be well loved, they were not tested for hip dysplasia or for other genetic problems.

• Offers no health guarantee beyond proof of shots, if that. Unqualified to give help if problems develop.

• Seller has little knowledge of breed history, the national breed club or of the AKC breed standard. May claim this does not matter for "just pets".

• Pups raised in makeshift accommodations, sometimes unsanitary, indicating lack of long-term investment in breeding and lack of true care for the puppies well-being.

• Even when selling "just pets", may produce AKC papers or "championship pedigrees" as proof of quality. Yet seller does not increase his own knowledge through participation in national, regional, or local breed clubs. Is not involved in showing their dogs to "prove" quality.

• May be unwilling to show a buyer the entire litter or to introduce the dam of the litter. Cannot or will not compare/critique pups or pup’s ancestors.

• Prices are at the low end of local range, since must move pups quickly. Advertises in the local newspaper classifieds.

• No concern for the future of individual pups or the breed as a whole. Does not use AKC’s limited registration option or ask for spay/neuter contract to guard against the breeding of sub-standard pups. If you cannot keep pup, tells you to take it to a dog pound or to sell it.

• Not "into" dogs (has "pets" around the house)

• Is not involved in the "dog world"

• Quality of dogs is almost always substandard, however, he does not test his dogs in shows or trials (Dogs are just pets or "breeding machines")

• Pedigrees mostly a list of pets bred by backyard breeders; pups may not even have "papers"; may be mongrels (Cockapoos, etc.)

• Honestly believes that because he places/sells all his pups, he does not contribute in any way to the needless slaughter of millions of dogs per year in shelters (Does not see his role in his pups making pups and them making more pups and so on)

• Not particularly educated about breed, often not aware of his own breed's genetic defects; does not consider mate's genetics

• Says "Goodbye" and "Good luck"

• Has no references

• Knows nothing about the other dogs on puppies' pedigrees

• Does not concern himself with the puppies' well-being or how puppies' health affects his breeding "plan"

• Breeds just to breed or make money or see his "great dog" procreate

• Breeds regularly if for money or if puppy mill; if for ego, breeds once in awhile, or "just once" before neutering or spaying

• Often repeats breedings, mainly those that are cheap and convenient.

• Dogs used for breeding rarely meet breed standard

• Breeds shy/aggressive dogs with poor temperaments

• Breeds dogs at almost any age, and any number of times

• Mate choice is that which is convenient, cheap, local (very often owns both sire and dam)

• Does no genetic testing; ignorantly breeds defective animals or those which are carriers, thus, perpetuating disease in breed

• Puppies are sold after birth in the local newspaper, first-come, first-served

• Puppies are sold with no guarantee

• No contracts; does not care what you do with puppies

• Says "Find them good homes". Does not Requires pups back if new homes don't work out

• Dogs on property may be aggressive or shy, and untrained

• Puppy mills are overloaded, "warehoused" dogs are not groomed or exercised, don't look healthy or happy

• Might have to "lock up" pups' aggressive or shy parents (dogs that should never have been bred)

• Raises puppies outdoors

• Dam and pups are alone for long hours

• Feeds cheap, grocery store dog food (containing 4D meat/chemicals)

• Has no understanding and takes no precautions to prevent puppy-killer disease

• Doesn't know leaving litter earlier can cause lifelong temperament problems or staying too long can hurt bonding with humans

• Does not understand or want to be troubled with any kind of training; just tries to keep puppies quiet and contained until sold

• Knows nothing about puppy-testing or matching puppies with buyers; allows buyers to pick the "cutest" one

• Says all pups are high quality

• Is not concerned about buyers being prepared for pups

• sells two pups at the same time and Would consider this killing two birds with one sale

• Sells first-come, first-served to whomever has the cash; does not find out which homes are substandard

• Is not concerned whether or not buyers can afford to properly care for pups

• Does not reject high-risk buyers: (renters, young people, those with poor track records, low income, other pets, dogs kept outdoors)

• Doesn't care if pups live as outdoor dogs or chained dogs, being unhappy or anxious being isolated and separated from "packs"

• Does not consider pups' best interests

• Encourages buyers to breed, regardless of quality

• Shows no concern for pups after sale; knows no trainers

• Does not provide even his own dogs with enough time, attention, exercise or training

Backyard Breeders Damage the Breed