If you are looking to acquire a dog from a specific breed, with specific temperament and raised in a certain way, a breeder is the way to go.
Unfortunately, not every person who breeds dogs is a good breeder. A lot of work and knowledge goes into breeding and raising puppies. Breeding – when done correctly – is not a business to make “quick money”. This article will tell you how to distinguish between breeders who want to make a quick buck and those that are in it for the love of the dogs.
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
According to a 2017/2018 survey, there are over 90 million dogs in the United States. Assuming an average 12 year lifespan (generally a bit longer for smaller dogs, a bit shorter for larger dogs) that means that over 7 million dogs are born every year.
The vast majority of those is not bred by good breeders. Many dog owners still believe that every female dog should have one litter, many want to have puppies off of their male dog because he is good-looking and plenty of shady breeders breed for certain colors or physical traits rather than health, structure and temperament.
Buying a dog from a poor breeder not only supports questionable practices, but can also bring you a lot of heartache and expensive vet bills later, when the dog requires extensive behavior modification or medical care.
By picking a puppy from a good breeder you set yourself up for success from the first day.