The 10 Most Telltale Signs of a Backyard Breeder
By: Dr. Deb
Tags: Animals, Education, Humanity, Pets, Dogs

Animal Advocacy

The 10 Most Telltale Signs of a Backyard Breeder

Don’t make the same mistake that many novice dog owners do!

Photo by Sophia Kunkel on Unsplash

Puppies are some of the cutest things alive and the process of bringing a new puppy into your home can feel magical! However, many new puppy parents make the mistake of purchasing their puppies from ‘backyard breeders’. Backyard breeders are people who breed and sell puppies for a profit without any care for the health and lives of the puppies or their parents.

Here are 10 signs to tell if you’re dealing with a backyard breeder.

They don’t screen potential buyers

Responsible breeders have their dogs’ best interests in mind, even if they plan on selling them. Any responsible breeder will want to know what kind of home their puppies are going to and whether they will be well taken care of or not. They will never want their puppies to receive neglect or abuse at the hands of their new owners.

2. They sell on Craigslist, eBay, or pet stores

As part of their screening of potential buyers, responsible breeders will not sell their puppies on craigslist or eBay. Craigslist and eBay tend to attract buyers who want to meet up and exchange cash for a puppy, end of the deal. Responsible breeders almost always have websites that educate potential buyers about their puppies, the puppies’ parents, health screenings, and all sorts of other educational information.

3. They offer minimal medical security

Health guarantees are contracts between the breeder and buyer that guarantee the health of their puppies for at least 1 year after the purchase date. Some responsible breeders even have lifetime health guarantees! For the breeder, this ensures that the puppy can be returned to be cared for in case any health conditions are caused by poor genetics and they know to stop breeding any parents who may have passed down the defective gene.

4. They don’t have proof of genetic testing

Genetic testing goes hand in hand with health guarantees. Responsible breeders test for most, if not all, of the most common genetic defects that are prevalent in the breed of dog that they are selling. These proofs are generally listed for all of their breeding dogs.

5. They don’t offer lifetime return policies

Just like with health guarantees, responsible breeders typically ask that buyers return their pup if they find themselves in extenuating circumstances and are no longer able to provide good care. Responsible breeders care for all of their dogs so much, that they would rather take back these puppies than let them end up in a questionable home or end up in a shelter or pound.

6. There are no veterinary records for the puppies

All puppies should have received their first veterinary visits, de-wormers, and shots between 6–8 weeks of age. This is to ensure that they have been thoroughly examined by a veterinarian for any health issues and to ensure they are as protected from diseases as possible. Furthermore, although legal for breeders to give the first puppy shots, the most responsible breeders will have the shots given by a veterinarian as proof that the shots were given correctly.

7. They sell puppies before they are 8 weeks old

8 weeks old is the youngest a puppy should leave his or her mother. Although weaned at 5–6 weeks old, the 6 to 8-week old period is a very important time-frame for proper behavior development. At that age, puppies need to learn how to interact with his or her siblings as well as his or her mother.

8. They don’t allow you to see where the puppies are kept

Responsible breeders have nothing to hide about where their puppies are born and raised. Other than recent COVID times, breeders do not generally turn away prospective buyers’ requests to see where their puppies are kept, with some requiring it. This is a good opportunity for breeders to further screen prospective buyers. Backyard breeders will often reject such requests because they are often trying to hide unsanitary and crowded environments.

9. They have puppies to sell year-round

Having puppies to sell year-round is a sign of either over-breeding of mother dogs or having too many dogs crowded together. Smaller breeds can have up to three litters a year, while giant breeds tend to have just one. Regardless, a responsible breeder will allow mothers to have breaks between heat cycles, often only allowing one litter each year.

10. They can’t answer your questions

This is perhaps the most important telltale sign of a backyard breeder. Responsible breeders need to know their dogs in and out. They should know each puppy’s temperament and the kind of home they would suit best, and all illnesses the parents may have had. Besides, they should be able to answer, in detail, any questions about their breeding practices, such as how long they have been breeding, how many litters they have produced, why they chose the breed, and how they choose the parents.

While purchasing a puppy from a backyard breeder may be quick and easy, those puppies may be riddled with disease or have less than ideal temperaments. Of course, plenty of people also get lucky and can find the perfect puppy of their dreams. However, keep in mind that even the lucky few are effectively spending money and further funding the practice of backyard breeding. The puppy’s siblings or the other litters may not be so perfect.

If you don’t have a specific breed requirement or need for your lifestyle, consider adopting from a rescue or a shelter. Dogs from rescues and shelters need homes and are only a fraction of the cost of a purebred puppy from a responsible breeder.

You can’t go wrong if you do your research.