| WHY PAY MORE FOR A PET PUPPY FROM A REPUTABLE BREEDERS |
| What is a Backyard Breeder or Puppy Mill Breeder? A backyard breeder is a person who thinks that having a dog of each sex being Reistered means litters of cute puppies and oodles of money. It generally means having no concept of genetics or even doing the basic genetic testing to tell whether their dogs will be passing along crippling or even lethal defects to the adorable puppies they want you to buy. This is the risk you are taking when you pick up the classifieds and look at all the back yard puppy ads. You can tell a backyard breeder from a reputable one by asking questions. A reputable breeder also sells dogs from his or her home so you can't tell just by looking. If you ask to see a pedigree or proof of health clearances, a good breeder will show you or even offer copies, because they checked their dog's backgrounds before breeding. A backyard breeder will say, "it's Registered". A Repeatable breeder will want to know what kind of home you will provide for your dog and ask you questions, and have you fill out a Commitment of Care Contract. A Reputable Breeder also knows about their dog's relatives. If there has been problems with dysplasia, eye defects, epilepsy, and other genetic defects in them or their offspring. A careless breeder will look astounded when you asked and either say they have no idea or cook up a lie real fast such as "He sees real good so no need to check those eyes!" or "he can jump a 4 foot fence flat footed so his hips are good!" Don't believe it, ask for proof of health checks! Pet shop puppies Are the very worst option of all in My opinion. Pet shop puppies come from puppy mills. Dogs with no genetic checking at all, bred on an industrial scale and usually neglected to the point of being barely alive, their puppies are wholesaled out in boxes to pet stores for about 20% of what you will be charged. Puppy mills are regularly closed down when health or animal welfare authorities investigate and sometimes the horror stories even get in the media about Puppy mills and their clients exist to make money. Problem is, they are treating dogs as a commodity. Refuse to do business with any store that sells puppies and tell them why. If stores find doing business with the mills more aggravation than profit, they'll stop, otherwise they never will. The most important thing you can do to help stop dog overpopulation is to always spay or neuter your pet. TEN WORST EXCUSES TO NOT SPAY OR NEUTER A PET: 1. Just one litter and we'll have fluffy spayed. (Studies show that virtually the entire pet overpopulation stems from the "just one litter" mentality) 2. My dog doesn't run loose so he doesn't need to be fixed. (Murphy's law says otherwise) 3. We always find homes for the puppies. (And that means an equal number of puppies at the pound will be killed) 4. I want the children to witness the miracle of birth. (Then watch Animal Planet or the Discovery Channel) 5. My dog is so wonderful and unique, there should be more of her. (The shelters are full of wonderful and unique dogs, most of whom have a few days to live) 6. It's not natural. (There hasn't been anything "natural" about dogs since we domesticated them thousands over years ago and took control of their training & reproduction) 7. I just couldn't look my dog in the eye if I had him castrated. (Watch it, you're anthropomorphising) 8. A female dog should have at least one litter for medical reasons. (Medically, factually and ethically indefensible) 9. Neutering my dog will make him fat & lazy. (Too much food and too little exercise make a dog and his owner fat & lazy) 10. Fixing my pet will change its personality. (see #8) We recommend Spaying & Nuetering at 8-10 months of age |
| Why pay more for a Pet Puppy? The $800.00 Puppy vs. The $300.00 Puppy $800.00 - Both the sire and dam of this puppy came from top quality breeding stock which was developed over years and years of selective and knowledgeable breeding. Both meet the requirement of the written AKC standard for the breed in conformation as well as temperament. Each has a pedigree, which has been studied and thoroughly researched. These dogs have been selected to breed to each other because they can both contribute to the excellence of the breed as well as complement one another. $300.00 - The dam of this litter was purchased from a local pet store and originally came from a Some Puppy Mill. She was sick off and on the first year of her life due to too many different types of intestinal parasites and malnutrition. The sire, an over-sized male, lives down the street and was purchased from an ad in the newspaper. Neither owner has ever heard of the AKC written standard. Neither owner has seen a written pedigree. The female is skittish and snappy. Her owners hope that having a litter will calm her down. $800.00 - Before this breeding ever took place, both male and female had test including hip X-Rays, eye tests to determine that there were no physical or genetic problems that might be passed on to offspring. The breeder is well aware of the genetic problems to which the breed is predisposed and uses no animal for breeding unless it is certified clear of defects by a qualified Veterinarian. The health of her pups is guaranteed. $300.00 - The breeder is totally unaware of the genetic problems within the breed. Trips to the Veterinarian, except for dire emergencies or yearly shots, are considered too expensive. The breeders' hope is to make money off the sale of the puppies. If he keeps expenses down, he can by that new couch he's been wanting. Puppies are sold with no guarantee. $800.00 - The breeder is a professional and he has a good reputation to maintain. His goal is to produce beautiful and sound specimens, which anyone would be proud to own. Profit, if any is made, goes toward future breedings, always aimed toward the betterment of the breed, or for show entries, handler's fees, new equipment and important veterinary tests. Both the mother and pups are fed the highest quality diet. Many trips to the vet assure him that mother and pups are thriving under the very best care. The pups are raised in a busy part of the house where they are socialized, groomed and exposed to different kinds of stimuli. They are touched and talked to, cuddled and even sung to. They are never sold before they are seven weeks old. Every buyer is interviewed at length and pups are placed only in homes where they will receive the finest treatment. The breeder spends time with each new owner, educating and answering questions. Follow-up calls are made to make sure the pups are adjusting well. Each new owner receives a bill of sale and health guarantees, vaccination record, minimum five-generation pedigree, guarantee of registration with the AKC and thorough puppy care and nutrition information. If the puppy is not considered to be of such quality as it will better the breed the puppy is sold with a limited registration or non-breeding agreements. The new owners are encouraged to continue a relationship with the breeder, and to call and ask questions at any time during the dog's life. $300.00 - These puppies are born in a box, in the garage and receive little care other than what the mother gives. To cut costs they are weaned on generic dog food and allowed to nurse on the mother as long as possible to keep food bills down. The bitch's health declines rapidly due to poor health and some pups are weak and runty. They are sold as quickly as possible because advertising and vaccines are expensive. They are sold without without shots, parasite checks, vet examinations, guarantees or information of any kind. They are sold to anyone who has the cash. If the new owner is lucky he may receive a AKC registration application. Although the puppy is of very poor quality, it is sold with full breeding rights. The new owner usually disappears with the pup, never to be seen again. If the market is not good, the breeder takes the leftover pups to the local pet shop. The comparison you have just read is hypothetical, but very typical of what we see all too often. Although not every breeder who charges higher prices is reputable and ethical, pet buyers should keep looking until they find one that is. When I am asked why my prices are so much higher than those in some newspaper ads, I mail a copy of this article. Those buyers who respect the quality and excellence are wonderful customers and become "partners" in this hobby that I love so much. Those that are seeking pets deserve nothing less than a nice quality, healthy and trusting animal. As well as a breeder they can count on. Anonymous P.S. Ask for Copies of Health Clearance. or where they can be looked up on the offical website |