Backyard Breeder
 

You may really start something asking for the definition of this term --- because different people have different notions about what it means.

To me - it just means a person who is just breeding a pet -- and not being very professional about doing it.

A lot of people who breed their pet or pets are very professional and do an excellent caring job -

Other people just take their little females, find a stud, and get a litter that they plan to sell. (These are the ones that I refer to as backyard breeders.) I think the term refers to people who aren't as professional and caring as anyone who breeds dogs should be.

The term "backyard" - itself - implies that the dogs and puppies aren't kept inside and socialized with the family. We Yorkie owners are "frontroom" or "bedroom" breeders...... our dogs and their puppies are beloved members of our family.


Carol Jean

A person who casually breeds purebred dogs with little or no regard to the breed standard, genetically linked defects or temperament.
A backyard breeder is a person who practices random or ignorant dog breeding on a small scale. The name is something of a misnomer, as many excellent breeders run small-scale programs in their houses, garages, barns, or backyards.
1. Motive for breeding: "fun", "good for kids", "to make money". Does not screen buyers and seldom refuses to sell, even if buyer is unsuitable.
2. 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.
3. Though the pets (sire/dam of pups) may be well loved, they were not tested for hip dysplasia or for other genetic problems such as cardiomyopathy and hypothyroidism.
4. Offers no health guarantee beyond proof of shots, if that. Unqualified to give help if problems develop.
5. 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".
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. Prices are at the low end of local range, since must move pups quickly. Advertises in the local newspaper classifieds.
10. 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.

i agree with your post all except this quote,"7. 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." I care about my dogs very much, they are well cared for and tested. I do have championship lines and show quality dogs. I have made a huge investment to get started money wise, not counting the hours upon hours that I have spent researching the breed to make myself more knowledgable. BUT, I have no interest in showing or running around all over the country to dog shows. I have a life outside of the dogs that requires that I be at home most of the time. So, I take issue with the fact that you are saying that unless you are a show breeder, then you have no business breeding. You are so wrong but I have been here long enough to know that nothing anyone says will change your mind about that. Not all of us are cut out to be show breeders nor do we want to be. I would also like to add that some people say that unless you are a show breeder, you must be in it for the money. Well, I expect it to be a few years before I ever make any money at all on my dogs but that is okay because i don't need to use my dogs for income anyway.

I understand. However, I didn't come up with this and pulled this from definition of a Backyard Breeder.

I saw this online too: http://www.jlhweb.net/Boxermap/reputablebreeder.html
I have been mulling over the "show aspect" of being a responsible breeder too. I am just not sure about that myself. I would love to find a local Yorkshire Terrier Club but have seen no evidence of one. Nor have I been able to locate any shows close to me -- I would at least like to attend a few. Shows do afford a person an objective evaluation of their dogs for potential breeding, but I can see that it is not for everyone -- maybe not for me either. I will keep looking into this -- I have plenty of time.

Where in Florida do you live. There is the Yorkshire Terrier Club of Central Florida and The Yorkshire Terrier Club of Southern Florida. Not everyone is fortunate enough to have one close by. But, if you're serious you can still join by contacting one of the clubs and asking them about being a long distance member and what are the qualifications. Our club has many members that do not live locally. These members offer their support to the club in many other ways.

The sport of dog showing is not for everyone. It does not have to encompass your life, I'm a mother of 3 and a grandmother of 6. I show on the average of 1 weekend a month, on rare occassions maybe 2 and keep my trips within driving distance.

I show because I want more knowledgable people that know the standard to go over my dogs and evaluate them. Everytime I go into the ring - this is done. Yes, it is time consumming and cost a lot of money to show, but this way I know if my dogs are worth breeding. This is just my opinion and how I feel. I am my dogs mom, so I may have on "Rosey colored glasses"- so to speak and not evaluate them as strong as I could. You also learn a lot going to the shows. I understand not everyone can go to shows. But I do because I feel this way I am doing all I can for the breed.
There is not a breed club near me - but I am a member of my all-breed AKC dog club! We have monthly meetings and have very knowledgable speakers attend. I learn a lot there too!
P.S. Love the comparison chart! :thumbup:
T.

I show for the same reason. I breed for myself and only when I want that next Champion for my breeding program. To tell the truth, breeding is the part I hate the most, no it's the whelping part. I start to cry when my moms go into labor.

Me too! Whelping is the hardest! I think this is another reason I do not breed that often. This last litter - pup was stuck and of course had to go up into mom and rescue the pup. The pup made it. But it always makes me so nervous. I do not want to loose my mom or any pups.
:thumbup: - Mardelin!
T.

Had the same problem with my last litter. Puppy was just a bit bigger than the other 2. Thank God the biggest one was the last one. All I could think of was, I can't push in, so I have to get you out. His head was out, so I broke the sack and got him breathing before lubricating mom and helping her push out the puppy just enough to get under it's shoulders and ease him the rest of the way out.

I live in the panhandle, NW Florida, near Pensacola. I need to attend a few to know if this is something that I would want to do. One weekend a month within driving distance would not be bad.

Do you ever show over towards FL? I looked more in depth at the link you had given for http://www.onofrio.com and I did find there is a show coming in Pensacola in March and some others not too far in February. I will make those and go from there.

There is a Dog Fanciers Association nearby -- not breed specific. Maybe that would be a place to start?

Is this person a backyard breeder?

A person who breeds their healthy, good looking 5 pound little registered female Yorkier to a handsome, registered, healthy, 5 pound male Yorkie.

They didn't do any genetic/DNA testing etc, because she doesn't expect any particular health problems. Her own dog and the father of the litter are perfectly healthy. She knows the parents of her dog - who are alive and healthy, but knows nothing about any other ancestors.

This person has never been interested in showing her dog and belongs to no organizations. She has not studied the Yorkie breed extensively, but has read about the breed and can certainly tell people what it is like having a Yorkie for a pet. Her family has loved and enjoyed their little dog for years.

She has two friends and a vet ready to help her when her dog delivers. If there are any problems, it will be taken to the vet.

The mother and pups will be in her home - and will be loved and cared for by the family. They will be well socialized.

She plans to price her pups close to what other Yorkie pups in her area are going for. She is willing to drop her price, if necessary.

She cares very much about the homes her pups will go to and will not hesitate to say "no" to a perspective buyer, if she feels that wouldn't be a good home for a little Yorkie.

Her dog has been checked by a vet and the pups will have whatever care (shots, etc.) her vet (a good vet) tells her are necessary.

Any perspective buyer can visit her home and meet the puppies mother.

She plans to have her buyers take their pups to their vets. If there are any serious problems found - they can return the pups for a full refund.

****** This is the way a lot of people breed - and I wouldn't want to call them "backyard breeders." But, still they don't meet all the above rules...


Carol Jean

That makes sense. I know I will see my two in the most perfect light. The only two breeders I know in my area bred my puppies and might also look at them more favorably. So, an unbiased view would be appreciated.

I'll start going to shows in February -- sooner if I can find anything nearby. After a few, I should know if this is for me. It is still too soon to know if my two are going to be show or breeding quality -- but the more I know, the better decisions I can make.