[reeskujo]

This is an excellent article that everyone should read!

What is a Backyard Breeder?

[Lara's mom]

I agree with your post. However, far too often, small breeders get lumped in with the BYB tag and, that isn't fair. Just because you don't have a big website and 50 + dogs, doesn't make you a BYB. The person who was responsible for me having my Lara has maybe one litter per year. Most are sold as pets with the stipulation that they must be spayed/neutered. If there is one in the litter that she thinks may grow up to be a good breeding dog, that one is sold under a different contract. I think we need to be careful before we "tar everyone with the same stick." That term is IMO, being overused.

[cigwyllt]

That's a really good article. I agree with Lara's Mom though that sometimes the one off breeder will provide the same level of care and commitment to the bitch and pups that an established breeder does. Sadly however they are few and far between.

[Lunareclipse]

Originally Posted by Lara's mom

I agree with your post. However, far too often, small breeders get lumped in with the BYB tag and, that isn't fair. Just because you don't have a big website and 50 + dogs, doesn't make you a BYB. The person who was responsible for me having my Lara has maybe one litter per year. Most are sold as pets with the stipulation that they must be spayed/neutered. If there is one in the litter that she thinks may grow up to be a good breeding dog, that one is sold under a different contract. I think we need to be careful before we "tar everyone with the same stick." That term is IMO, being overused.

I reputable breeder doesn't have 50 dogs and a website. A reputable breeder is a person who breeds to better the breed, doesn't breed mixed breed dogs, plan their breeding, do all of the proper temperament and health tests to ensure they are breeding a quality pup. A reputable breeder would only have a litter of pups every two years from a quality, tested bitch. The people that have 50 dogs and a web site advertising their pups are only in it for the money and are just glorified puppy mills in my book. I think you missed something when you read all of that. It doesn't say you have to have 50 dogs and a web site to be a reputable breeder.

[piratekitty]

My Terrier mix we got from a family that had one male and two females. The family only had one litter of pups a year, she traded off females, one year it would be Ninas mom, the next year it would be her other female. We saw and played with Ninas parents, Rat Terrier/father, Terrier mix/ mother. Both as far as we could see were sound, healthy, and very socialized. We stayed in their country kitchen and played for hours with the puppys, 4 hrs later we walked out with Nina. In 4 hrs we knew alot about these people. Nina is a wonderful best mutt I have ever owned. Shes 8 and very healthy, no trips to the vet except vacinations and check ups with the vet telling us she has beautiful teeth and is very healthy. I would have to say they were not a puppy mill, and not a rebutable breeder. I guess that would make them a BYB. Would I buy a dog from them again, yes. I feel when you are buying a dog from anyone whether they are a reputable breeder or BYB. You need to spend time with the puppy, and the parent dogs, and the people who are selling.

[reeskujo]

First let me clarify something..A breeder is not deemed reputable by the amount of dogs they have or whether or not they have a website..They're considered reputable because of the care they give and the steps they take in order to ensure healthy and sound pups for the betterment of the breed.

I had 3 females and 2 males and had a litter every other year with homes ready for them before breeding even took place. Hips, Patella's,eyes,heart and thyroid were always checked and certified as well as the genetic testing done to assue they didn't carry genes for the issues Akita's are prone to.

I basically interegated anyone interested in my pups,had spay/neuter contracts as well as my contracts stating the dog must be returned to me if they could no longer care for it and I would take them back at any age. All of my pups were raised in doors around my family children included and since I didn't let them go until 12 weeks they were generally all housebroken to. These are just a small fraction of things that seperate us from BYB's..I don't consider someone a BYB simply because they don't have a large amount of dogs..Again the amount has nothing to do with but the things I've listed above do and the breeders who don't do even these basic minimum of things are IMO BYB's!

[lange]

I appreciate posts like these. Many of us come here at different places in our lives but we all have the potential to learn. There's no better way to do that than by sharing all we know and experience. I felt coming into this forum I knew some; not just about dogs; but breeds, breeders, shelters, laws, illness, health, feeding, YOU NAME it..there is just always so much to learn and I don't think there's ever a time to stop. I think many people who find their way here come here at different levels of knowledge so sharing has to continue. Even if some people get offended by things (talking about other threads) but we're all who we are, and we have to express our opinions and thoughts. OK, so I may be trailing off topic but I want to say thanks to all of you who share and teach and don't stop trying to educate on all matters. I love this place and even the squabbles that sometimes happen.. It is LIFE and we;re real people and real animals and emotions and experiences here....It's not always going to be pleasant and nice. LIFE'S not meant to always be easy, right?....AND AGAIN...I am going off topic..... Sorry!

Thanks for sharing all!

Adding- Ree, you did right by your babies! Good for you! Good for them. I hope more people see dogs for what they are; our companions, not objects.