OK here is my "hypothetical" scenario

Breeders dogs are shown 2-3 times a year and health tested.
From the age of 2 all dogs are bred (boys up for public stud) until the age of 6, they have one litter a year but breeder has a few bitches so has 2 litters EVERY year.
A pup is kept back when the youngest bitch hits 3 as they obviously have to have something to keep the line going and breed
Older dogs are "retired" from breeding and kept on but doesnt look like they are out very often (REALLY long claws, no wear etc).

The breed has large litters (5-10) so thats alot of pups every year.
The breeder is a member of all the breed clubs and even fosters, will not hear a word against him (surprise surprise eh?)

so what do you think?

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Could they tell you where every dog they have ever breed is?
You say all dogs are breed from at 2 yr old. I know lots of breeders that have kept an 8 wk old puppy back that hasn't matured as expected and not been good enough to breed from.

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Sounds ok to me, but - what breed is this - is it a popular that are in demand? You say they have no wear on their claws, but they often only wear down on hard surfaces. My dogs rarely get to go on hard surfaces so they do not wear down. Always having 4 litters from a bitch sounds too much for me, I think 2 - 3 is enough, although I wouldn't discount 4 litters if there was a valid reason for it, but I cannot see that being the case for all their bitches.

I think it's difficult to categorise breeders. They are doing a lot of things right, but not all. For me, this sort of breeder would be much more preferable to someone who doesn't health test, doesn't know the breed inside out etc. even if they may be breeding more litters than I find ethical. Ultimately, do they know the breed, plan the litter well with not only health tests, but a deep knowledge of the breed and dogs they are using. Are the puppies raised well and well cared for (doesn't have to be in the home). These are far more important things to consider in a breeder than so many of the sentimental reasons that people have for breeding from their pets.

I think we would need to know a hell of alot more to say for sure. I wouldnt like to comment on just the facts you have given! Does this breeder have any problems selling puppies, or does he have a waiting list of potential buyers, how does he select his puppies homes, how are puppies treated and reared, are they sent with contracts, would he take puppies back ect ect!

Although this isnt the sort of breeder I 'agree' with. Hes having quite alot of litters and not keeping from them all - Im a believer in only breeding with the aim to keep for your selves.

Although I like that fact he health tests, he keeps dogs when they are not longer being bred from, he only has one litter a year, he waits until the dogs are 2 before taking a litter and stops breeding at the age of 6 (although for me thats to many litters being taken from them IMO - I think no more than 3 is acceptable - although the KC currently says 6, thats changing to 4 next year) - I like the fact that he fosters, and is a member of the breed clubs.

Difficult call on the informations supplied, good-ish points IMO,
Shows dogs(although 2-3 times a year isnt much)and if they dont get placed then he could be breeding from dogs with faults.
Health tests.
waits til the dogs are two years old before breeding.
Each bitch is only bred once a year, although I do not agree with the amount of litters from each bitch far too many IMO.
Keeps older dogs on when retired( as mentioned the claws issue could be because of running about on grass etc) but I would have thought they could be trimmed to make it more comfortable for them?
Is a member of the breed clubs, so would I feel meet the criteria set out by the breed club regarding their acceptable breeding code of ethics.
fosters.

I would be more concerned, if he didnt health test, never shown,bred a bitch on each season,passed his older dogs on to new homes or rescue, wasnt involved in the breed as far as member of the club/fostering etc.

Mo

Doubtful, he's had about 60 pups in the last 3-4yrs.
Wether the pup is fantastic quality or not, as long as it passes health tests they will breed it.

Can you guess which breed?
Claws are long but not clipped. When they have had a litter they will advertis their following litter immediately for the following year. Pups raised in the home most of the time.

The breeder advertises the upcoming litter a year in advance in order to buld up a waiting list but sometimes have one or 2 which will not be sold until 12weeks+ or sold at a lower price on joint ownership and breeder retains breeding rights to the animal. Potential owners come to meet the breeder and sign a contract when they buy. Pups are taken back and then sold on if owner cant keep them.
He has enough bitches to ensure he has 2 litters per year.

Dogs have never placed higher than 3rd and the last 5 litters have been sired by the same sire and have been repeat matings with the bitches the breeder owns

this is quite fun!

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Thats not good, Like I said in my previous post 'for me' any decent breeder will be breeding with the aim of better what they have/breeding for a vaild reason - not just because they can!


Although to me that sounds slightly 'odd' I can really knock any breeder advertising litters so soon, the more people on a waiting list the better.


I find it again odd, that a breeder is retaining breeding rights on pups sold cheaper at an older age - not something I would agree to.


Fair do's - I would expect all responsible breeders to take back, if they can no keep and re home thats their choice - although its far better than leaving it to the owners, who could just dump them.


That bit gets me, not getting any better yet still over using a stud, and doing repeat matings - but then although they show its clear to me their aim is not to procude their next top winning show dog but more to supply a demand, while making money on the side.