what do you class as a hobby breeder? most "hobby breeders" don't class themselves as breeders. IMO if you have a litter you are a breeder. your thoughts . This is not aimed at anyone and i don't want it to get personal.

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love me love the dogs

TBH I hate the term. I think its generally used nowadays by breeders who dont want to be seen as a making money from breeding, as if that makes it alright when they are 'just using their pets'

A breeder is a breeder whatever the context. Hobby breeding is a term I see being used more and more. I also think it lulls puppy buyers into thinking these breeders are 'doing better' than the commercial breeders because they love their 'pets' and whant to have a liter or 2 or 3 etc and most of them don't health test or know what strengths or weaknesses their dog has, confirmation wise or within their lines

As Dexter said, not having a go but this is what I have found just in my own breed. The problem I have with pets being bred is outlined above which can have serious consequences if not done right

I agree, anyone who breeds a litter is a breeder - end of story. Doesn't matter whether you have one litter from your pet or many litters - all are breeders.

My interpretation of a 'hobby breeder' is someone who's dogs are their hobby and are immersed in the dog world - ie showing, working, competing and they are breeding to further their own dogs and the breed in general - it is a positive term for me.

However, I know some who interpret it to mean someone who breeds for the pleasure they get from it - whether one litter or many. This is often a pet breeder who doesn't have any purpose in breeding other than the pleasure they get from it and to produce puppies (often of dubious quality and health). I can't endorse that sort of breeding as it is purely for selfish reasons and has little knowledge behind it.

Just goes to show how difficult it is to 'categorize' breeders as each term has different meaning to different people.

I take it to mean this, and this is like what Rupert's breeder is. But she health tests her dogs, doesn't charge crazy prices and takes puppies back etc if things don't work out. She loves her dogs and the whole breeding process but isn't out to make money and doesn't do it often. Even with all Rupert's problems now she chats to me about it and cares a lot about him. But she doesn't show or work her dogs, they are pets.

Hobby to me = something you do in your spare time, which is what she does.

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That was my interptation until I joined this forum.
Since joining I think the second definition seems to be a more accurate reflection.
But it goes to show how different people interpret the different labels used.
However I don't think it matters what type of breeder a breder calls themselves it's up to the buyers to make sure thay are happy with the breeder, there methods and there ethics.

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A dog Possesses Beauty without Vanity,Strength without Insolence, Courage without Ferocity, And all the Virtues of Man without his Vices.

To me a 'hobby' breeder is someone that breeds as a hobby - with no real/vaild aim, not for the betterment of a breed/line, not to keep a pup to work, show ect! Just someone that fancied a litter or two supplies the pet market with puppies..Tested or not.

I never really heard the term until very recently and to be honest don't really understand why it is being used??

I own two poodle crosses and speaking from their point of view do know of two 'hobbyist' cockapoo breeders.

Both don't breed very often and health test and are very selective about prospective owners and take pups back and have kept pups from some of their litters. They don't own the stud either!

Only recently one of the breeders has taken a pup back and is upset as she ensures her puppies are socialised and confident etc.. and pup was returned due to work commitments and the pup is not the same as it went. So breeder is spending lots of time trying to rebuild all her work and I think she has decided to keep the pup rather than re-home.


They both keep in contact with all their pups where possible and are on hand to give advice and they both really understand and enjoy them.

One is already looking a new stock and has 2 puppies coming from America.

One also has a forum so I suppose that's why they class themselves as hobbyist perhaps because they don't breed often, breed for the pet market and are really interested in their dogs hence the forum and being on hand to help people???

I suppose "hobbyist" breeder is just today's latest trendy name - unless it has been going for a long time??

I dont like the term 'hobby breeder' I dont think that a hobby is bringing lifes into the world, that cant be classed as a hobby.

Ive spoke to some breeders who say 'Im not a breeder I only have 1-2litters a year' lol what do they think they are then!

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I'd say a hobby breeder was someone who bred their pets once or twice, either to supply the pet market, experience a litter, or keep a pup from their pet.

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I agree, this is how I see it also