These puppy producers are usually naive and believe they are not doing anything wrong.  Sure they have a wonderful female, or maybe both the female and the male.  They truly do love their dogs, but they are breeding for the wrong reasons.  They are breeding to pick up a couple of bucks and pass on some wonderful puppies from the dogs they own.  These are some of the problems to watch for:

1.  Ask WHY this litter was bred.  Most back yard breed for puppies, not for improvement.  Most "Back Yard Breeders" breed their litter because they want one of the puppies for themselves, and maybe another for a relative.  Remember though, even though they want one or two puppies, that in a litter of 8 that would leave 6 to sell to local buyers. 

 2.  Are there health clearances on the mom and the dad?  Most "Back Yard Breeders" won't even know that health clearances are available on dogs.  See #2 "Casual Breeders" below for further information.

 3.  If I have problems will I contact you?  "Back Yard Breeders" would think "Why, what could I tell you"?

 4.  Are you holding these puppies for at least eight weeks, preferably nine weeks.  Remember that the mother weans the litter at approximately 6 weeks, but there are many social issues that help the puppy mature by keeping it around the mother until it is either eight or nine weeks.  For more information on this issue, please return to the links page and read the article "Super Dogs Are Made And Not Born".  There are many reasons to keep the puppy for a few more weeks.

 5.  Are your dogs guaranteed?  Most "Back Yard Breeders" will wonder "Guaranteed for what"?  They ARE guaranteed to be puppies.

 6.  Do you provide a pedigree, preferably FIVE generations.  Most can provide a pedigree that goes back to the dam and sire, then their parents.  Those are listed on the registration paperwork.  It takes a bit of effort on a breeder's part to research the five generation pedigree.

 7.  Where were these puppies raised.  Most "Back Yard Breeders" start with the puppies in the house, but when they get too messy, they are moved to the garage or the backyard.  It is usually a makeshift kennel.

 8.  How much for the puppy.  Not too much, it sure didn't cost too much to bred and there are usually no health clearances.  See #12 below in the "Casual Breeder" section.

This is usually a kennel that has at least a few dogs that they breed.  The operation is usually set up to produce at least a few litters a year.  Most of the dogs are kept in kennels.  The puppies are left in a kennel with mom and given very little socialization.  The breeder usually has both the dam and the sire, and the litter is produced for convenience and money.  It is usually not bred to improve the breed.  One "Casual Breeder" I know will brag that she breeds enough litters to feed her dogs all year, feed her horses all year and she even makes enough money to pay her house payments.  His / her major concern is the making of money (Breeding For Greed), again NOT to improve the breed.

 1.  Ask WHY this litter was bred.  

 2.  Are there health clearances on the mom and the dad?  Don't let them tell you that the vet said they were clear.  Health clearances can be provided WITH DOCUMENTS for hips and eyes.  Also, eyes can only be cleared by a "Board Certified Canine Ophthalmologist", so if the breeder tells you the vet said the local vet said the eyes are OK, they are NOT, unless you see the paperwork.   Remember too that just because the breeder tells you "the parents are OK", you really don't know unless you have the proper documentation.

 3.  If I have problems will I contact you?  Most "Casual Breeders" prefer to take the money and have the puppy leave.  Support, they might offer it, but when you want them, they are conveniently NOT THERE.

 4.  Are you holding these puppies for at least eight weeks, preferably nine weeks.  Remember that the mother weans the litter at approximately 6 weeks, but there are many social issues that help the puppy mature by keeping it around the mother until it is either eight or nine weeks.  For more information on this issue, please return to the links page and read the article "Super Dogs Are Made And Not Born".  There are many reasons to keep the puppy for a few more weeks.

 5.  Are your dogs guaranteed?  Again, guaranteed for what.  They might promise many things.  This is the time for you to ask for references.  Check out the former buyers, and even go to see some of these placements.  You just can't do enough research when you want a healthy dog to live with you for 10 to 15 years.  

 6.  Do you provide a pedigree, preferably FIVE generations.  They may have the pedigree, but may not have the extra health information.

 7.  Ask to see both mom and dad (if dad is there), look for any temperament problems.  

 8.  Where were the puppies whelped?  Are they now in a kennel and mostly ignored by the breeder.  Be very careful of that "shy" puppy in the litter.  Most times a shy puppy may turn out to be a shy biter.  That puppy may be "under-socialized", one that fears humans and has problems adjusting to social situations.

 9.  Ask how many litters he / she produced last year.  This says a lot.  Lots of litters sometimes mean lots of money.  Take those checks, don't do clearances, don't guarantee your dogs.  Then it is not too hard to make a profit.

10.  Are the puppies registered with BOTH ASCA and AKC, if not why.

11.  Are spay and neuter required on "companion quality" puppies.

12.  How much for the puppy.  Sure these dogs may be cheaper than those of the "Reputable Breeder", but make sure to take a lifetime of health into consideration.  Lets say you spend $350.00 on the puppy, then the puppy has an auto immune problem, the dog needs medication to control an under active thyroid, you can add about $200.00 per year.  How about the problem of Hip Dysplasia, surgery can be around $1,500.00 and then you can figure a reduced life span and possibly extra needs late in life just to make the dog's life easier, and then there are the special meds to help the hips hurt less.  So many things to add up when you buy a cheaper dog without the comparison to a lifetime of health.