Thread Explaining Different Types of Breeders

[jaggirl47]

After reading several posts, we really need to do a thread explaining the differences in the following types of breeders:
1. Reputable breeders
2. Commercial breeders
3. So called "Big" breeders
4. Back yard breeders
5. Puppy mills

There are several on this board that get confused on the difference between reputable breeders and "big" breeders, etc.

[vat]

I would agree but who is going to define the differences? I am not sure what you mean by big breeder, do you mean those that breed oversize GSD?

[onyx'girl]

I think the sticky:
Things to look for in a 'Responsible' Breeder
explains it for the most part.
Reputable is subject to opinion....

[jaggirl47]

I think one thing is that many people confuse large commercial breeders or "big" (in name) breeders as reputable breeders, when in fact they are not. It just gets very frustrating when you read it over and over.

[vat]

Ok but who decides what a large or commercial breeder is? And then once that is done who decides that those dogs are not good having never seen one? I only bring this point up because I have seen this movie before. Some think a breeder has to many dogs but then those that trash talk do not know the breeder at all.

I am still not saying I disagree but we need to tread lightly.

[jaggirl47]

Originally Posted by vat

Ok but who decides what a large or commercial breeder is? And then once that is done who decides that those dogs are not good having never seen one? I only bring this point up because I have seen this movie before. Some think a breeder has to many dogs but then those that trash talk do not know the breeder at all.

I am still not saying I disagree but we need to tread lightly.

I agree that we do need to tread lightly. I just think it would be best if we could figure out a clean cut way to accurately explain all of the differences.

[RubyTuesday]

All labels aside, I focus on whether the breeder produces what I want/need in my dogs. Does s/he consistently produce the temperament & personality I want? Are the dogs long lived, healthy, intelligent & discerning? Do I like the looks of the dogs? Are they top notch companions & kept in the house at least some of the time?

Also important to me, is the breeder knowledgeable about dogs in general & her breed in particular? Does s/he seem open & honest as well as knowledgeable? Will s/he be supportive after the pup comes home with me? Does s/he care about her dogs & breeding program?

I'm interested in breeders I can work with if problems arise who consistently produce dogs with the character, intelligence, health & longevity I want. I'm indifferent as to where these breeders fall on the continuum b/w 'large commercial breeders' & 'small hobbyists'. I've seen breeders I like & breeders I'm thoroughly underwhelmed with in both camps.

I won't do business with actual puppy mills or BYB b/c by definition they are indifferent &/or ignorant to what good breeding entails & the actual quality of what they produce. They can produce excellent dogs, but it will be by chance rather than design which I'm unwilling to do with a breed as plagued with health & temperament problems as the GSD.

I specified 'actual puppy mills & BYB' b/c so often these terms are used willy nilly against breeders people dislike or disagree with. IMO, people who make money breeding/selling pups aren't innately good or bad. Ditto those who breed for a temperament or appearance I might personally dislike. Nor is there a magic number of dogs/breedings that reliably separates good breeders from bad. Nor will selling prices, contract terms or advertising venues separate the wheat from the chaff.

Nothing (IMO) works better than evaluating the dogs themselves, the offspring they've produced in the past & the breeders knowledge, experience & demeanor (ie will s/he work with you if there's a problem). IF so, are the pups/dogs sold at a price I'll pay?

Too often definitions of 'good breeders' seem to focus on things irrelevant to the pups produced.

[jaggirl47]

It isn't so much about making a comparison of good vs bad breeders. I guess it is more for showing the difference between each type of breeder, if you get what I mean.
We get so many new people on here on a daily basis that are looking for breeders and do not know the difference. I was thinking along the lines of an actual explanation of what each type is.

[selzer]

Different fanciers will define these differently.

Different dog-people, animal lovers will define these differently.

There are no accepted definitions of these terms.

I suggest we get away from them altogether.

Let's just call them breeders.

Because there are other terms we could use too. How about unethical breeders who lie or withold information in order to make a sale?

There are the single-litter breeders -- those breeding just one litter, either on purpose or by accident.

How about the animal-hoarder breeders. They aren't in it for the money, they are in it because they are crazy.

Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with wanting a breeder who is responsive to telephone/email contact, who does certain health screenings, who puts titles on their dogs, and who has knowledge of the dogs behind their dogs, as well as other dog-topics -- type of breeder I would want to use. There is nothing wrong with making a list and checking it twice.

But there is something wrong with labling people with these names and all the connotations that go with them. If you say your breeder is a BYB to eight people, then you will have eight descriptions of your breeder forming in people's minds. I might think, someone who does not show their dogs. Another might think someone who has 30 dogs living outside 4 to a muddy pen. Another might picture an individual who's dog connected with their bitch while they were less vigilent than they should have been. And another pictures a guy with fifteen bitches in make shift kennels in a barn somewhere, dogs in varying stages of neglect.

[Whiteshepherds]

Excellant posts RubyTuesday & Selzer.