Florida Watch - What you should know about backyard breeders

Most of the backyard breeders are proud of their pets and think they should breed them so others can have a pet like theirs. Others just want to make some extra cash or both. Most have no idea what they are doing. Here are a few thing to consider:

1- Are both parents healthy?

2- Are they the same breed?

3- Are they inbred? A lot of these breeders breed a mother with a son, father with a daughter

4- Do the parents have all their shots and heartworm meds?

5- Do the puppies have their shots or is the breeder lying to save money?

6- What is the history of the parents? Do they have a medical condition that can be passed on to the pups?

7- What is the temperament of the parents? You could wind up with a vicious dog or one that will pee when ever you pet them.

8- If the dog has "papers" are they forged or are they worthless like CKC papers? If they have papers are they forged?

9- Does the puppy have a health certificate and is it real?

10- Are the puppies outside where other dogs can transmit parvo and other diseases etc.?

 I know from my own experience with a backyard breeder you can't trust them. I see on CL puppies 4 - 5 weeks old being sold which is not only wrong but illegal. Also, I've seen these puppies advertized as having shots, heartworm treatment and fixed. No vet will give heartworm to a puppy that young or fix a puppy that young. If you take a puppy that young from the mother you will wind up with big problems because they learn from their siblings and their mother. In many states the breeder needs a health certificate for each pup sold so you know it's healthy and has all it's shots. Backyard breeders will take 1 or 2 pups to the vets and copy this certificate for the rest of the litter so you get scammed and the puppy gets sick. (big vet bills here)

 Also, have you considered all the work, time and money that has to go into a 8 week old puppy? The potty training, vet visits and teaching the dog to behave. It's a lot of time, work and money to raise that puppy and they grow fast. A dog that is 1 - 3 years old adopted will have all their shots, meds and be fixed. They most likely will be potty trained. I rescued a little 4 year old guy from a rescue group and he is the best dog I have ever had.

Petey

09/02/2010