[MrsPeanut]

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minute everyone’s back is turned they get back in business.” While they might momentarily be operating under the law, puppy mills activists argue these conditions are still inhumane and are continually fighting for changes in a defective system. The state laws are able to set higher standards of care and cover more than what federal laws do but the dilemma here is that every state is different and sets laws accordingly. Furthermore, not all the states have laws governing the requirements and standards for kennels because not all states have serious concern for puppy mills.
A backyard breeder can be defined by a few characteristics. There is no definitive purpose for backyard breeders. Some people want to make a little extra money, or they love their current dog so much and want to reproduce it, or backyard breeder may even just want another dog for their current one to play with. According to, What is a Backyard Breeder, “they just breed for the sake of it.” (1) The dilemma is that most backyard breeders do not see the complexity in how much time and effort goes into breeding and how costly and serious it can be. They don’t understand pedigree’s or inferior hereditary traits that can be passed on. Because of their nonchalant attitude, breeding prematurely without the correct information could lead to serious consequences such as losing their dog. They may also pass themselves off as reputable breeders, but typically backyard breeders have small amounts of knowledge of their breed and are not active in their breed. They know what type of dog and general facts about the dog but they usually will not know significant history of the breed. Backyard breeder’s do not discriminate when it comes to potential customers as long as they can get rid of the litter because they realize how costly and how much work it is so they sell to anyone.
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Backyard breeders may try to pass themselves off as reputable breeders by showing a clean friendly environment and how humanely the dogs and puppies are being treated in respect to housing, nutrition and proof of veterinary care. They may even go as far as giving a health guarantee or bill of sale. The difference shows in that a reputable breeder is almost obsessive about providing every aspect of information possible and is never nonchalant about selling puppies.
Anyone can put two dogs together and breed but that doesn’t qualify them as a reputable breeder. There are many characteristics of a reputable breeder. Reputable breeders will typically not breed more than one or two different types of dogs at one time. They will also usually only produce one to two litters per year; all registered with the proper agents like American Kennel Club for example and will skip breeding cycles. To skip breeding cycles means that females dogs go into their “heat cycle,” or reproductive stage twice a year and if bred they will skip a heat and not be bred again for another year. Doing this keeps the female strong and healthy so they may carry and produce healthy puppies again. They do not advertise in local classifieds, newspapers, and magazines or on posted flyers. Reputable breeders are usually found by word of mouth. They breed for improving the quality of the pedigree. To substantiate this claim breeders will conduct genetic testing and will not breed a dog with any inferior gene traits. To further this claim, they will also discuss any substandard traits of faults that the particular dog has. If the breeder finds another breeder with superior pedigree lines and want to use their stud, which is a name assigned to a male dog of potential breeding capabilities, both parties will conduct all blood test and screenings for a clean bill of health before
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breeding. They are very knowledgeable about the particular breed that they have and are actively involved in the breed. Reputable breeders do not take orders or sell their puppies in lots. They typically have long waiting lists and require an interview with the potential buyers to determine weather or not they will make good homes for their puppies. They will also deny or refuse to sell a puppy to anyone that they feel will be unfit to take their puppies into their homes. The environment the puppies and dame or sire is kept in is important as well. Most reputable breeders keep the dogs in their home in a clean area available for potential buyers to see or inspect. They will provide all necessary paperwork for viewing as well, such as pedigree’s, medical records, immunization records, photos or any other documents of information related to the dogs health and welfare. The will provide a contract with health guarantees, genetic testing and a bill of sale and most in cases will take a dog back anytime during its life if you are unable to care for the dog. Lastly, reputable breeders will make recommendations and be available for advice or help for the duration of the dog’s life.
In conclusion, we have examined the different characteristics, functions and purposes of puppy mills, backyard breeders and reputable breeders. If everyone can get a better understanding of what distinguishes each of them then perhaps potential dog owners will think twice and make informed decisions when buying a dog or puppy. It can also raise awareness about the inhumane treatment of dogs that occurs everyday. It can also create direct explicit legislation that could be introduced to enforce breeders and owners to sustain more humane conditions for kennels and destroy the puppy mill industry.