Breeders of working and show dogs are happy to place puppies as pets in good homes. Because they spend much time and money in their endeavor to produce good puppies, they often charge a higher price than breeders who produce puppies simply to sell as pets. Individuals who produce puppies to sell as pets generally do little or no genetic screening of breeding stock and may not consider health and behavior before breeding. Most often, they sell puppies to enhance their income and don't have expenses for training, show entries, pre-natal care, genetic tests, etc. Some of these amateurs produce one or two litters per year, and others operate home puppy-selling businesses.
Commercial kennels are businesses that breed puppies to sell as pets.
They usually have several breeds, may sell on their own site and through pet stores, and may be licensed by state or federal government. They often do not consider temperament, genetic health, or mental soundness when breeding and do not generally provide the support offered by those who breed show and working dogs. These kennels may be the target of cruelty and neglect investigations by local, state, or federal agencies. Animal rights advocates frequently blur the distinctions between these kennels and responsible breeding operations in efforts to promote over-reaching animal cruelty laws and breeder restrictions. Shelters and rescue groups have many dogs available for purchase, usually at prices far below those charged by breeders or commercial kennels.