Finding a Breeder
Material on this page is edited from original material belonging to LRC of the Potomac Lab Rescue, with their permission.
How Can I Tell If A Breeder Is "Responsible"?
The truth is, there are breeders and there are breeders. On the high end there are a number of serious hobby breeders (this is true of any breed) whose main purpose is to breed the best dogs they possibly can and who do so in an effort to improve their breed and enhance the qualities of that breed. Money is not a consideration for these breeders in that they are willing to spend what it takes to keep their own dogs healthy, participate with others in the enjoyment of various dog-related activities, and maintain the highest standards of breeding knowledge and ethics. They study genetics, pedigrees, canine behavior (important in order to breed the correct temperament), health-related issues, and more. They invest a tremendous amount of time and energy in their dogs and in becoming as knowledgeable as possible about their breed. Various hobby breeders have contributed to a discussion of what it means to be a responsible breeder -- reading their comments should help in understanding the difference between this group and the next category.
The next category is what responsible hobby breeders refer to as "backyard breeders". These are individuals who breed for a variety of reasons ("I want one just like my PreciousDog" or "I want the children to see the miracle of birth", etc., etc., ad infinitum, ad nauseum...). They are not necessarily bad breeders intentionally; but they haven't invested the energy and time required to know how to go about it in a way which minimizes problems with the offspring and sends puppies to happy, loving homes. These puppies are normally the ones you see advertised in the newspaper for less money than the hobby breeder charges (who is just breaking even, usually), and they are also one of the major contributors to the presence of pure-bred puppies in animal shelters. However, not all is lost with this group. Many of them can be educated to either do it responsibly or not do it at all.
The third category represents the worst of all possible scenarios. The true puppy mill whose only motive is profit. The practices of these "breeders" are sickening, disgusting, immoral, and -- unfortunately -- legal in several mid-Western states. They keep dogs in incredibly unsanitary conditions, seldom use vets, breed bitches on their first cycle and on every cycle after that until the poor creature is totally wasted and then they unceremoniously destroy her -- they won't keep or feed a non-revenue-producing animal. These people provide most of the puppies found in pet shops; it's one of the major reasons responsible breeders won't be caught dead in a shop that sells dogs (cats either, for that matter -- and usually no pets at all!). For more information on puppy mills, check this site: The Pittstown Puppy Mill
