Responsible, Reputable Breeders

Backyard Breeders/Puppy Mills

"Into" Dogs (shows, training, clubs, etc.)

Not "into" dogs (has "pets" around the house)

Belongs to dog clubs and organizations

Is not involved in the "dog world"

Proves quality of dogs and suitability for breeding by competing for titles and certificates in conformation, hunt test, obedience, agility, field trialing, tracking, etc.

Quality of dogs is almost always substandard, does not test his dogs in shows or trials

Pedigrees are filled with dogs who have obtained show titles/working certificates; never breeds dogs without "papers"

Pedigrees mostly a list of pets bred by backyard breeders; pups may not even have "papers"; may be mutts (Clumingers.)

Is there for the life of your dog, always willing to help

Says "Goodbye" and "Good luck"

Knowledgeable in every facet of breed, including that of health issues/defects; researches genetics when choosing mates

Not particularly educated about breed, often not aware of his own breed's genetic defects; does not consider mate's genetics

Knowledgeable about house breaking, training, socializing, breeding, health; constantly reads dog-related materials

Has own ideas which may not coincide with professionals' opinions; won't bother to read any of the hundreds of dog books available

Knows his lines inside and out

Knows nothing about the other dogs on puppies' pedigrees

Willing to give you his references

Has no references

Requires buyers to spay/neuter pet-quality pups

Could care less, but if you want to breed, lets talk about buying 'breeding' rights

Follows up on puppies' well-being; collects health information affecting his dogs

Does not concern himself with the puppies' well-being or how puppies' health affects his breeding "plan" 

Breeds to improve his own dogs, his bloodlines and the breed

Breeds just to make money

Breeds only dogs which meet breed standard

Rarely knows what a 'standard' is

Breeds only dogs with stable temperaments

Breeds shy/aggressive dogs with poor temperaments

Breeds only dogs over 2 years old, after health clearances have been done

Breeds dogs at almost any age, and any number of times, seldom or never does any heatlh clearances

Sire could be from anywhere in the world

Sire is whoever is on the premises or the cheapest

Does all genetic testing and will provide proof; does not breed animals with genetic defects or which are carriers of defects

Does no genetic testing; ignorantly breeds defective animals or those which are carriers, thus, perpetuating disease in breed

Puppies are sold from waiting list created before breeding even takes place

Puppies are sold after birth in the local newspaper, on retail animal classified sites, on a first-come, first-served basis

Puppies are sold with health guarantees and on contracts

Puppies are sold with no guarantee, no contract

Requires pups back if new homes don't work out

Never would take a dog back

Does not own more dogs than he has room, time or money for; Dogs are groomed, exercised, healthy, happy

Puppy mills are overloaded, "warehoused" dogs are not groomed or exercised, don't look healthy or happy

Puppies are raised indoors, with love

Puppies are raised outdoors, left alone for long periods of time

 Visitors remove shoes and wash hands to prevent spread of parvovirus

Has no understanding and takes no precautions to diseases

Feeds either premium dog food or Raw/B.A.R.F.

Feeds cheapest food available

Keeps most Clumbers for 4 months, companion quality may be placed younger

Sold as young as 8 weeks or younger

 Socializes pups by systematically handling them and exposing them to various noises, children and other animals before sending them to new homes

Does not understand or want to be troubled with any kind of training; just tries to keep puppies quiet and contained until sold

Tests pups to match their temperaments and drives with buyers' personalities and lifestyles

Knows nothing about puppy-testing or matching puppies with buyers; allows buyers to pick the "cutest" one

Can honestly evaluate pups' quality

Says all pups are high quality

Never sells to "impulse" buyers

Is not concerned about buyers being prepared for pups

 Interviews prospective buyers, checks home and references, refuses to sell to substandard homes

Sells first-come, first-served to whomever has the cash; does not find out which homes are substandard

Responsible Breeders improve the breed

Backyard Breeders and Puppy Mills damage the breed