@rockyriverretrievers on Instagram
Why is it crucial to purchase from a responsible breeder? How can one differentiate between backyard breeders and responsible breeders? Unfortunately, not every dog breeder is taking the necessary measures to ensure that health is the top priority. Backyard breeders are those who breed without having prior knowledge or experience and don’t know about or pay attention to details that are crucial for a dog’s health and quality of life.
WHY YOU SHOULD CHOOSE A RESPONSIBLE BREEDER
A responsible breeder ensures that DNA testing of both parents is done before they breed. By doing this, we can avoid a puppy being born with various diseases. If both parents carry a recessive gene that is harmful, they shouldn’t be bred. If the dogs are bred with these genetics, their puppies are likely to have genetic disorders that they pass on as well.
The health of a puppy has a large impact on its quality of life. If DNA testing is done, then diseases such as Exercise-Induced Collapse (EIC), a condition that involves weakness of the muscles and lack of coordination, can be avoided and completely eliminated over time.
A lot of backyard breeders try to gain profit by calling their puppies pure-bred without actually screening their parents. Some breeders may even go as far as to charge you more even though the puppies haven’t been treated with the care they deserve. You shouldn’t be paying for a puppy that comes from poorly bred lines that haven’t been cleared of behavioral and health issues.
HOW TO AVOID BACKYARD BREEDERS
When you reach out to a dog breeder, make sure that you know their dog’s parentage, including their medical history. The puppies should be registered with the American Kennel Club and have their proper documents. Also, ask for references and ask as many questions as possible to the dog owners. If you can find out how the dogs are doing, behaving, and looking it will help you to have a much smoother journey with your dog.
The puppy that you want to be part of your life should be healthy, and their well-being should be your priority. The dog’s welfare should be a breeder’s priority as well, and for that, backyard breeders should be completely avoided to ensure a safe and healthy puppy.
ELIMINATING THE MISERY OF ANIMALS
There are precautions that you can take to make sure that you have chosen a responsible breeder. When you go to a breeder, ask them to show you where all the puppies are kept and ask to meet their parents. Ask for the puppy’s veterinarian information and ask if all the vaccinations have been done. If a breeder has puppies available throughout the year and doesn’t have a waiting list for interested people, then it means they could possibly be a backyard breeder.
Here’s some advice from the AKC about this.
A pet becomes part of your family. It is your right to make sure that it was born and treated with the utmost care and love. Getting scammed by irresponsible breeders is harmful, and you will have to go through the ordeal of taking care of the puppy as their health declines. Choosing to purchase a puppy is a big responsibility, and if they aren’t healthy, to begin with, as much as can be controlled, it will be difficult for you and the puppy both in the long run. If you would like more information on testing and lines, feel free to reach out!
Check out our pups!