Breeder Considerations: From Reputable Sources to Backyard Sellers

 Be extremely cautious if you purchase a dog or cat from a pet store. Good breeders do not sell animals to pet stores. Some pet store animals come from puppy mills or other abusive backgrounds. These animals are likely to have major medical issues and purchasing them helps to perpetuate a cycle of abuse by the puppy mills that breed them.     A good breeder will provide the purchaser with a contract of sale which states that if any genetic defects or preexisting diseases are found that the breeder will refund the purchase price and/or pay for treatment. Many states have laws which require breeders to be responsible for genetic defects and preexisting disease. Be aware of your state’s laws. Be aware that purchasing a puppy outside of your state may nullify this protection. When you purchase an animal, be aware that you are taking personal responsibility for that animal and be prepared to pay for its medical expenses.     A good breeder will always allow prospec...

As a rescue that deals exclusively with rescuing dogs after they have been in a home and/or animal shelter, we often see that many people still have confusion surrounding obtaining a pet. While most of us want to make a responsible decision, many still don’t fully understand the implications and complications about where your pet comes from. Often, our desire to “help” or “save” an animal in a store can cause more harm than good. We have come a long way since the “How Much is that Doggie in the Window,” but we are still here to help you understand the differences in how where your pet comes from can impact their long-term well-being, and the well-being of others. If you go to a reputable breeder, seeing the puppy with it’s parents will be standard practice. If you go to a reputable breeder, seeing the puppy with it’s parents will be standard practice.     Shelters and Rescues: Obviously, we are a fan of this option! Check out our “About Us” page to learn more about BDAR and wh...

While there are tons of people out there who advocate for adoption over pet purchase, it’s completely okay to know what type of pet you want to own, right down to the breed. If you are going to purchase an animal, it’s important to make sure you are purchasing from a reputable and responsible breeder instead of from a backyard breeder or, subsequently, the pet shops who purchase from them. How To Spot The Difference Here’s how to know the difference between the good, the bad, and the ugly. Breed-Specific Breeding Program Reputable dog breeders typically only sell a small number of breeds – often just one or two. This is because they specialize in the care, grooming, and socialization of the dogs involved, and that takes a significant amount of time and effort. Responsible breeders are experts in terms of their breed’s specific history, conformation, traits, and overall temperament. They know what to expect, how to train their adult dogs, and how to support the care of new puppies. Stee...

 Backyard breeders often claim to be responsible animal lovers, but tactics such as overcrowding, early weaning and inbreeding are detrimental to dog’s health. For this reason, it is important to carefully evaluate the environment in which your dog has been bred. As you search for the perfect dog to add to your family, be alert for these four signs that signal you could be dealing with a backyard breeder. Searching for the perfect puppy is not an easy project. Many people believe that it entails nothing more than the thought that they’d like a new puppy combined with a quick internet search, and a new puppy moves in when they are free to pick it up. It’s not quite how the world of purchasing a dog from a breeder works for several reasons. One of the most important reasons is that a trusted breeder is the only option. The last thing you want when choosing a new puppy is to purchase one from a backyard  dog breeder, or a breeder who isn’t doing his or her job on the up and up. ...

 When looking to bring a new furry friend into your life, it’s crucial to choose a responsible and ethical breeder. Unfortunately, not all breeders operate with the best interests of the animals at heart. Backyard breeders, in particular, are known for their questionable practices and lack of regard for the well-being of the animals they produce. But how do you avoid backyard breeders? Here are five red flags to watch out for. Lack of Proper Documentation One of the primary red flags associated with backyard breeders is the absence of proper documentation for their breeding operations. Reputable breeders maintain meticulous records of their breeding dogs, including health certifications, lineage information, and registration papers from recognized kennel clubs. These documents provide transparency and assurance that the breeder is dedicated to breeding healthy and well-tempered animals. Backyard breeders, on the other hand, often lack such documentation. They may not have proof of...

 Choosing to bring a new canine companion into your life is an exciting but involved decision-making process, especially when deciding where to get one. You might have concerns about “puppy mills” or “ backyard breeders, ” and want to know how to steer clear of them. Perhaps you don’t even know what these are and need more information. As you begin your research, here are some things to consider:   Puppy mills Puppy mills are commercial breeding facilities that mass-produce dogs (and cats in cat mills) for sale through pet stores, or directly to consumers through classified ads or the Internet. Roughly 90 percent of puppies in pet stores come from puppy mills. Many retailers who buy animals from such facilities take the wholesaler’s word that the animals are happy and healthy without seeing for themselves. In most states, these commercial breeding kennels can legally keep hundreds of dogs in cages their entire lives, for the sole purpose of continuously churning out puppies. T...