I was worried about the backyard breeder too. After saying my next dog would be a rescue and then being treated so bad by them I looked into breeders.

I have to say I'm happy I did. I guess you would call her a hobby breeder. She was sweet and loved all her babies and I do mean all. She had a herd (yes, like 15-20) yorkies they all played outside during the day and came in at night and all had places to sleep in her trailer. I was amazed, and she was so proud of them all, but she haden't shown any.

She always wanted a yorkie and got her frist after a friend could no longer care for it when she was in her 50's. And it is because of the dogs she is still alive, 2 yrs ago she was told she was going to be dead in 2 weeks from heart problems. She was so happy when I aggred with her, she said her sister and husband told her to get rid of her dogs but she told her sister fine you decided which 1 of your children you want to keep and get rid of the others. When she said that I knew she was the person I was suppose to have found to get my puppy.

So I think it all depends on the research you do and the importance of meeting the person you might get a dog from. Talk to them and you find out a lot.

Aimee
 

I would never want to discourage anyone from showing. It is fun, but it is dead serious and hard work. I LOVE to show puppies and Fun matches..but regular showing is so stressful for me..I perfer a handler when the dog is in full coat and ready to win.
You just have to get a tough skin and not worry about rude people...don't listen to gossip or tell any and keep your business private. There is alot of prestiege and money in show dogs, so when money and prestiege is involved people can be cut throat..BUT it need not stop you, you do not have to be invloved and there are very nice people to meet.
As to clubs...I can only speak for Maryland regional and the National club. You need two sponsors who have known you for 2 yrs..you will not get into the National club unless you show..some regional clubs are easier and allow non-show members.

To me Backyard breeders are the ones that breed just for money. I think that the breeders that do not show are hobby breeders. Im new at this so i dont know much. Im still learning.

When I think of a backyard breeder what comes to my mind is a person breeding whom has little or no knowledge of what their breeding stocks heritage may be. Maybe they could care less what type of faults or gentic problems their dogs may produce. They breed to sell. Some may be beginners just starting out but there may be some BYB that have breeding experience and have bred for years but still don't care about the quality or long term health of the litters they produce. I believe there is a distinction between a "backyard breeder" and a "hobby breeder". I veiw a hobby breeder as someone whom puts knowledge, love and the desire to produce a sound, healthy good example of the breed as their outcome. These hobby breeders know the history of their line, they care about their dogs. Of course everyone has to start somewhere . Novice hobby breeders should have the desire to produce the best . Anywone whom could care less and just wants to jump in and have puppies is not going to take the time to research and these backyard breeders are the ones giving the hobby breeders a bad rep.