What separates a backyard breeder from a reputable one?

Anna--you're right, I have a registered 'mini pin' that looks like a little black sheep--but that's ok, he was a rescue.

So many things, but let me name a few:

A reputable breeder will do all the required health testing while a BYB normally doesn't even realize they should do it.

A reputable beeder will usually breed a female 2, 3 times at the most, while a BYB may breed the female every year- 6 or 7 times.

A reputable breeder knows how well the breeding pair mix, and knows the health history of the adults- the BYB thinks that if one is male and one is female, that's all you need.

A reputable breeder will usually wait until both parties are at least 2 before breeding (so that health testing can be completed)- BYB's might start around 1 year.

A reputable breeder spends a great deal of time with the pups and will match a pup's personality with the suspected owner's personality while a BYB will let the owner pick out their own puppy, and usually sell to whoever has the $$$

A reputable breeder will have a contract spelled out with an extensive health guarantee, while the BYB will just pass the pup to you as you drive by.

I think that most BYB's are merely misinformed, not necessarily purposefully breeding bad dogs.

Lol in my opinion not much, my mom bought a GSD from a very very "reputable breeder" yet its not their policy to take a dog back after its been placed in a home for 6 months, the doctor diagnosed him with a skin problem. My husband one day on his way home from work saw a neighbor selling American Bulldogs, since then we've got another one from the same man, they are great awesome, no problem dogs. I could go on forever with stories like this.

A BYB doesn't usually care who gets the pups as long as they have the $$$s. They don't check up on the pup later. They don't ask too many questions of the person buying the pup & they want the pups to leave as soon as possible. Many times pit pups around here are sold as young as 4 weeks. It is not legal to sell a pup until at least 7 weeks. A responsible breeder usually will not let a pup go before 9 weeks and sometimes not until later than that. A responsible breeder costs more because they put much more into mom & the pups. Even though they cost more the responsible breeder really does not make any money (usually they lose money). A responsible breeder has some type of tests, or at least prenatal care done. Prenatal supplements, puppy formula, puppy food for mom before and after birth all cost extra. A responsible breeder will usually help with the pups also- bottle feeding so mom doesn't have to do all the work. When pups leave mom and the littermates before 9 weeks they have not learned respectful behavior at all. Mom and siblings teach bite control. They learn not to bite so hard. They learn how rough they can play & there's other stuff mom teaches them too. Bottom line is the $$$$s... The sooner they leave the more money a BYB makes- but he isn't putting anything out. A can of pup formula cost about $10-20 depending on breed & size & number of pups & age you could go through a can every other day. Puppy food is more expensive then adult food. Pre breeding worming, ultrasounds, up to date shots for mom... before the pups even arrive. The pups should be wormed at least 2x & should have their first shot... You will not find any of this with most BYBs. PLUS how much do they know about the father...grandparents....great-grandpare... If they know nothing about at least the grandparents of the pups go somewhere else- Please!

A reputable breeder is someone who offers a money back garuntee if something happens to the dog. Also, a breeder who has formidable records on both parents of the dog proving that there is no medical issues to worry about, and can present these records when ask, and can verify them by way of getting a secondary check up for the puppy you're purchasing free of charge (meaning they pay for it, you see the results).

AKC papers don't mean anything. I've met a trainer who proved this by getting a pig registered over the phone.

A backyard breeder is someone who's dogs got frisky with someone elses dogs and they don't want the puppies.
Sure the dogs are cute, but they come with potential health problems you don't know about.

This link answers that question exactly!
http://www.jlhweb.net/Boxermap/reputable...

<----- Hasn't bred in a while.

I think a reputable breeder is someone who loves dogs and knows alot about a specific breed and does not breed for cash alone. Pet stores, and puppy mills are the worst. To learn more about it check out Peta & The Humane Society.

Anna said it ALL right...

Dog shows are also a GREAT place to go to look for a good breeder.
It's where we got suckered into miniature poodles.
I'm a Rottweiler person.

A reputable breeder shows their dogs and doesn't breed them till they've gotten a working title, a conformation title or both; a BYB doesn't show, and gives excuses like "oh, our dogs are just family pets, we don't involve ourselves in all that showing nonsense."

A reputable breeder knows every genetic strength and flaw of their breeding stock, and how the strengths and flaws of their dog and ***** complement each other. A BYB will never admit their breeding stock has flaws - even if it's a Min Pin that looks like a sheep.

A reputable breeder will put their dogs through rigorous genetic testing and show you certification to prove it. A BYB will tell you "oh, the vet has cleared everything."

A reputable breeder builds up a name and reputation in the show ring so that people approach them for puppies. A BYB has to put an ad out in the papers - or on Yahoo! Answers.

A reputable breeder has homes lined up for their puppies even before the breeding takes place. A BYB advertises after puppies are born.

A reputable breeder spends weeks and weeks observing the puppies - when a prospective owner comes by, the breeder interviews them (some breeders do home visits) and chooses the puppy that has a matching personality to the owner. A BYB lets owners pick out whichever one is cutest to them, and takes no effort to make sure the pup is going to a suitable home.

A reputable breeder will insist on watching the pup grow up its entire life - she will check in on the dog every once in awhile, and always be ready to help owners with training, nutrition, behavioural issues and even minor medical issues. If ever for some reason the pup cannot be taken care of, a reputable breeder will insist on getting the puppy back, after which she will care for it for the rest of its life. A BYB releases any accountability for the pup once the puppy gets in your car.

A reputable breeder will only let pups go after 8 weeks minimum - some keep them till 10-12 weeks. A BYB lets them go at 6 or 7 weeks.

Its really all about the devotion to doing it correctly. BYB care little of the dogs they breed the conditions the pups are kept in. The condition the pups are in and will spend little to no money caring for them. Most reparable breeders are somewhat selective on the people they will place puppies with.

A reputable breeder has papers on the dog and a guarantee for the dogs health for the first vet visit, usually.

we can do it in the back yard if you want

To me, the main difference is heart.

A reputable breeder isnt in it for the money. They are in it for the dogs and the breed(s).

A BYB is either in it for the money, or involuntarily or out of negligence or ignorance.

There are lots of other things, but to me thats the most important difference.