Breeder Defined

Characteristic	Backyard Breeder	Puppy Mill	Commercial Breeder	Hobby   Breeder	Reputable Experienced Breeder
Has a specific breeding goal	To produce puppies	To make money	To supply the demand	To better the breed	To perfect a specific type to leave a legacy.
Belongs to and works with breed club	May masquerade as a member	Hardly ever	Has a network of business contacts	Extremely dedicated	Very active, generally an officer
Has at least one mentor	Works independently, lacks guidance	Not interested in breed improvement	Does not specialize in specific breed	Invites knowledge	Is a mentor, writes books/articles, conducts seminars
Understands and breeds to the standard	May not even know what it is.	Uses any available stock.	Focuses on general appearance	Strives towards the ideal	Often helps to define it.
Active in dog related activities (shows, trials, rescues)	Often rescues only to attain more stock. Rarely attends shows or trials	Does not need to promote establishment; sells to brokers–pet shops, etc.	Does not need to promote establishment, sells to brokers, pet shops etc.	Shows and trials to prove worth  Shows & trials to objectively test breeding stock.	Often judges, provides seminars, writes articles, and willingly mentors serious Hobby Breeders.
Knows the true history of the breed	May share false/incomplete info	Often pretends to know some.	Claims that it’s not important.	Studies continuously	Impacts the breed for many decades
Sells pets with spay/neuter contract and tries to stay in touch with new owners	May charge more for “breeding” papers	Often issues papers via generic “registries”	All pups sold have full breeding rights.	Yes, and diligently follows up on progeny	Always differentiates breed/pet quality and insists on frequent updates
Keeps up with health and  temperament  issues affecting the breeding and provides in depth guarantees	May refuse to acknowledge most problems. Considers shows and trials as too “political”.	No need to, mostly supplies brokers and pet shops	Meets minimum standards as required by state law.	Goes above and beyond standard requirement	Maintains a solid support system –accepts  full responsibility for  every puppy produced
All breeding stock is tested for  genetic diseases affecting the particular breed.	Some occasionally may be to impress consumers.	Only as demanded by consumers — may give papers as proof of quality.	May provide undocumented paperwork for appearances sake.	Intensive testing always a priority	Often initiates club sponsored seminars and clinics.
Maintains carrier records on all dogs in gene pool including effected progeny.	Focuses mostly on phenotype–unfamiliar with genotype.	Often supplies broker and pet shops, records unavailable.	Dogs and puppies are often auctioned off in lots, records unavailable	Attempts to continuously track every puppy produced	Bases entire breeding program on extensive gene pool data.
Clean, sterile environment always maintained	Conditions may vary greatly depending on available income.	Often tries to maintain minimum  standards	Cleanest and best organized; state inspected	Usually “home raised with love” and well cared for.	Often cluttered but always healthy and mentally stimulating
Expected longevity with any particular breed	Unrealistic expectations– easily  disillusioned.	Will continue as long as the sales are coming	Depends on popularity of specific breeds	On a mission–plans to stay for the long haul.	Involved with the breed/  breeding for decades–makes a lifetime commitment.