Choosing a puppy or kitten to bring into your home is an exciting experience, but it is also an important decision that requires research and thought.
When looking for a furry companion, you may have heard the terms backyard breeder and reputable breeder and wondered what the difference is between the two.
In this article, we will explore the differences between backyard breeders and reputable breeders, from the quality of the animals to the ethical breeding practices they employ.
Read on to learn how to make an informed decision when it comes to bringing the perfect pet into your home.
Table of Contents
Short Answer
A backyard breeder is an individual who breeds animals for sale without any professional experience or knowledge of genetics.
They often breed animals without any regard for health or temperament.
A professional breeder, on the other hand, is someone who has knowledge of genetics and animal husbandry, and is dedicated to producing healthy, well-tempered animals.
They often breed specific breeds for show or competition, and put a lot of time and effort into selecting the right animals for breeding.
Definition of a Backyard Breeder
A backyard breeder is someone who breeds animals without the knowledge or resources needed to do so responsibly.
This type of breeder is not licensed and may not be knowledgeable about the breed they are producing.
Backyard breeders often breed animals without considering the health, soundness, and temperament of the animals they are producing.
They typically do not use health testing and screening, and may generate puppies and kittens that are at risk for serious health and genetic issues.
Backyard breeders often produce litters with the sole purpose of making a profit, and may not be able to provide the proper care and socialization for their animals.
Definition of a Reputable Breeder
A reputable breeder is a professional who is knowledgeable and experienced in their breed and is dedicated to producing healthy, sound animals with good temperaments.
They adhere to ethical breeding practices and are licensed and inspected by local authorities.
They take the time to research and understand the breed standard and the genetic health of the animals they are producing.
They are also knowledgeable about the animals lineage and can answer questions about the animals parents.
They keep detailed records of their breeding stock and the litters they produce.
They also take the time to educate potential owners on the breed, its physical and mental characteristics, and how to properly care for the animal.
Reputable breeders are committed to the breed and strive to preserve its unique traits and characteristics.
They are also passionate about their work and strive to produce quality animals that meet the breed standard.
Quality of Animals
When it comes to the quality of animals, the differences between backyard breeders and reputable breeders can be quite drastic.
Backyard breeders often breed animals without any regard for the animal’s soundness, health, and temperament.
This can lead to animals that are not healthy or well-adjusted.
In addition, backyard breeders may not have knowledge about the specific breed they are producing.
This lack of knowledge can lead to animals that do not have the desired characteristics of the breed they are producing.
On the other hand, reputable breeders are knowledgeable about their breeds and take the time to ensure that they are producing healthy, sound animals with good temperaments.
They understand the importance of breeding for soundness, health, and temperament and strive to select animals that will produce offspring with these desired characteristics.
In addition, reputable breeders often adhere to ethical breeding practices and strive to produce animals that are of the highest quality.
Practices and Ethics
When it comes to the difference between a backyard breeder and a reputable breeder, one of the key distinctions lies in the practices and ethics of each.
Backyard breeders are often unlicensed and may not have the knowledge or experience necessary to produce healthy, sound animals with good temperaments.
They may not take the time to properly research the breed they are producing, or to screen potential puppies for any genetic or health issues.
In addition, they may not adhere to ethical breeding practices, such as proper genetic testing of the parents, limiting the number of litters a female can have, or requiring potential buyers to sign a contract.
On the other hand, professional breeders are knowledgeable about the breed they are producing and take the time to make sure their animals are healthy and sound.
They perform genetic testing on the parents, adhere to ethical breeding practices, limit the number of litters a female can have, and require potential buyers to sign a contract.
In addition, reputable breeders are often licensed and inspected by local authorities to ensure their animals are kept in safe and healthy conditions.
Knowledge of Breeds
When it comes to the difference between a backyard breeder and a reputable breeder, one of the most important factors to consider is the knowledge of the breeds.
Backyard breeders are generally unlicensed and may not have a full understanding of the breed they are producing.
This means that they may not be aware of potential health or genetic issues associated with the breed, and may not be selecting for the best traits of the breed.
Professional breeders, on the other hand, will have a full understanding of the breed and its associated traits and will be able to make informed decisions when selecting which animals to breed.
They will also be more likely to carry out health tests and genetic screening to ensure that they are producing healthy, sound animals with good temperaments.
Soundness, Health, and Temperament
When it comes to the soundness, health, and temperament of the animals they produce, there is a clear distinction between backyard breeders and reputable breeders.
Backyard breeders are often unaware of the breed they are producing and may not take the necessary steps to ensure the animals they produce have desirable traits.
For example, they may not properly screen for genetic disorders or conduct health tests on the animals to ensure they are healthy.
As a result, they may produce puppies or kittens with health issues or poor temperaments.
On the other hand, reputable breeders are knowledgeable about their breed and take the time to make sure they are producing healthy, sound animals with good temperaments.
They invest in health testing and genetic screenings to check for any health issues and work to ensure their animals have desirable traits.
They also track the health of their animals and the animals of their customers to ensure they are breeding only healthy animals.
In addition, reputable breeders often adhere to ethical breeding practices, such as not inbreeding, and are often licensed and inspected by local authorities.
Ethical Breeding Practices
When it comes to ethical breeding practices, there is a huge difference between a backyard breeder and a reputable breeder.
Backyard breeders often do not adhere to any type of ethical practices and may not be knowledgeable about the breed they are producing.
This can lead to animals with poor health, soundness, and temperament.
In contrast, reputable breeders take the time to make sure they are producing healthy and sound animals with good temperaments.
They investigate and research pedigrees to ensure their animals are from a reputable line and work to avoid inbreeding and genetic defects.
They also make sure to provide proper nutrition, housing, exercise, and medical care for their animals.
Reputable breeders also take extra steps to ensure the animals they are selling are going to good homes.
They often interview potential owners and require contracts to be signed that include a spay/neuter agreement and a return policy.
This helps to ensure that the animals they produce will not end up in shelters or abused.
Overall, the key difference between a backyard breeder and a reputable breeder is the level of care and ethical breeding practices they adhere to.
While backyard breeders may not have any regard for the quality of their animals, reputable breeders take the time to ensure they are producing healthy, sound animals with good temperaments and that they are going to good homes.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to choosing a breeder, the differences between a backyard breeder and a reputable breeder are clearly significant.
Backyard breeders often lack the knowledge and experience to produce animals with good health, soundness, and temperament.
Professional breeders, on the other hand, are dedicated to producing healthy, sound animals with good temperaments while adhering to ethical breeding practices.
Therefore, it is important to do your research and make sure you are dealing with a reputable breeder when looking to add a new four-legged companion to your family.