Going out on a limb here and I expect to get lots of different answers, there will be people no doubt who weren't aware of the type of people they were buying from, but for those who were/are aware, why did you do it? I know some people feel compelled to *save* pups from poor breeders, but how do you feel that combats the breeding/rescue situation overall?

I'm not looking to pin blame here btw, but open up discussion as this is one area I feel is rife with grey areas

THINK we aready know the answer! folk buy from byb because they genuinely think they are saving the puppy! A friend of mine did it recently! the pups (two that were left f this partiular litter) were in a barn skitish as hell and she said she almost brought them both and thatshe felt aweful leavingthe other one there! What we need to drum into folk is that for EVERY pup they buy from a byb ANOTHER litter will be bred . plain and simple if no one brought the pups - they would not breed!

__________________

True enough, but then there are people who post how they've bought from a byb and wouldn't buy elsewhere, so there must be a range of bybs, or so you would be led to believe?

When I got Kai I had rung the breeder first 3 times, spent hours on the phone chatting away. Both lines were very well shown and the only "unknown" in the pedigree was his mum (who was from a affix I had never herd of before) I thought because the stud dog was so well known and shown that it would be okay.

I traveled all the way to get him, Arrived. As soon as I entered the house I realized something wasnt right however I went ahead anyway as I had made my poor Granddad drive all the way there. (15 hours in travel in total).

It was only when I got home and did some more searching a week or two later did I stumble across a site that had a warning on the stud affix after talking with the owner of the site in length I found that the stud owner breeds many breeds, dropped from showing the year I got Kai and was questioned in regards to the health of the pups she was selling. The dam's owner was even more questionable which I wont go into.

Either way I was in a no-win. I felt I had failed my Granddad I did the re-search just not in the right places.

Thanks for that, nice honest reply and shows even if you *think* you know what you're dealing with, it's easy to be overawed and have the wool pulled over your eyes

It is very much so and if your new in the breed you are limited as you dont want to approach more experienced members in the breed and say "hey is ______ a puppy farmer or back yard breeder" because it seems bitchy, if you get me. But sometimes these are things we need to know.

Most know one of mine isnt from the 'best' breeder, breeding a number of dogs/breeds - lack of health testing (some dogs tested, some not!) - has given up breeding for the ring, and even competing.

- I didnt know I was incontact with what to me is an unethical breeder, all questions where asked (with all the right answers) re health testing, and the like. - Breeder asked questions to.
on arrival, things where not as it seemed. Dogs were clearly 'loved' and looked after, but the breeding standards were less than ethical. - we had done a 4 hour drive to a breeder under false information for the 'dream' dog. - I had fallen in love with him, had seen him grow, and got excited and prepared to bring him home. Once I was there I realise that the ethics didnt meet 'my' standards - but on the other hand I still brought pup home, and am pleased I did so. - If I had known what this breeder was like. me and mum wouldnt have done a 9 hour trip to collect him, when we could have found the same sort of breeder up the road. - although I know its not right to support these breeders, and I would always advise folk against it - when your there its hard to walk away.
The only things that have concerned me was the lack of testing and the porkies with regards to showing and testing - so there was no 'reason' for the litter other than cash. - I loved the sire, and the dogs within the pedigree. I had seen and heard of him from the showing world and he had done well, the dam was working bred, from other working lines something I myself am not in the know about so that side of the pedigree meant nothing to me.

Brining the dog in from this sort of breeder did cause a few issues. with training, like house training having lived mainly in a pen and not been introduced outside.


Anyone can be fooled by a breeder, and like we say - we all have different standards so whats a back yard breeder to me, might not be to you. I just cant understand or even start to accept them that knowingly choose to support the bad for themselves. I wish I hadnt, but I did and I am happy with my lad.

Both of my girls are from what I'd call a good hobby breeder, I've never hidden their breeding, because I think if you're ever in the situation where you think about breeding you have to be 100% open and honest. I have, however, come across an awful lot of dishonestly, which is offputting, including top kennels willing to admit poor health test results for mating, and even diddling the forms.

I'd never heard of the term Back Yard Breeder before joining this site

Lilly came from a breeder who would fall into this catagory I expect.
Pups were bought up in the home, well socialised, toilet training had been started, she came with 4 weeks free pet insurance a puppy pack which included a piece of toweling smelling of mum and a weeks worth of food. Dam had a lovely temperment and we were given a fact sheet on the sire with all his details. Both mum and dad had been checked by the vet for Luxating Patella before breeding - I don't have the details as Lilly was a present.
My knowledge of puppy buying went as far as making sure I saw mum with pups, the enviroment the pups were in was clean, pups were involved in the goings on in the household and that pups looked healthy, clean bums, eyes etc.
The breeder Lilly came from was breeding to supply the market (I expect she was supplimenting her income without the tax man knowing) - however all her dogs were healthy and happy she had 2 retired bitches (aged 9 and 6) that had given her 2/3 litters each, Lilly's mum (aged 4) and another younger bitch (1) that she was planning to breed from in a year or 2 if suitable.
I was able to speak to the breeder on several occasions over the phone for advice and exchanged several e-mails and pictures.
I wouldn't of known to walk away from this breeder 3 years ago and if I'm honest I don't know if I would now.

__________________


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

How do you identify whether someone is a hobby breeder or BYB and whats the difference? Genuine question by the way, I really don't know as hadn't heard either term before joining here