Animal Services 2000 ~Information for Putnam County, FL

A reputable breeder not only screens the new family who is purchasing their puppies but they also are willing to take back their puppies at anytime for any reason. They are concerned with the type of life their puppies have when sold and years later.

Backyard Breeders:
Example - Someone with a female dog who breeds to a male because it is cheap or free and is readily available. They believe that having both reg. in AKC (or any other type of registry) shows that the pair are breedworthy. When asked about health certs they will tell you that mom is current on required shots and wormed as needed. They usually add in that the vet says their dog is healthy. Friends and neighbors tell them how sweet and pretty mom is and they would like to have a dog just like her.

Commercial Facilities: Run under business license and may be required to have inspections from time to time. They are not required to give additional health testing for particular breed, temperament tests, or breed to improve the bloodline. As long as dogs are fed, have water, some type of shelter, have required by law vaccines, and no major showing health issues the facility will pass inspection. The breeding stock may be selected because they fall within the breed standards. The owners may love their chosen bred(s) but profit is the reason for the breedings. They are afterall a business.

Hobby Breeders: Small breeders who research and study over a period of time, usually over years and often under one or more mentors. They work their dogs and know their good points and their faults. Pairs are matched up because of what each can contribute to the other's qualities. Health checks go way above those given normally given by a vet for the common pet. Diseases that are common in the breed are tested for in the potential sire and dam with a background check to rule out problems with their parents, siblings, and any offspring from past breedings. Going back 3 or more generations is not uncommon. Dogs are temperament tested and worked in their breed areas to see if they carry the traits chosen for their breed. Breeding stock are often also loved pets and live in the home as the family members that they are with puppies born and raised in the home. Hobby breeders often consider themselves lucky to sell puppies for enough to break even on breeding expenses. The term *Hobby Breeder* comes from the often need for additional income from a source other then the selling of the puppies into the family to show, work, health test, and pay to have the right male bred to their female which may include shipping the female to another area of the country. Females are not bred at each heat cycle but may only be bred every other or every third year. The female may only have several litters total in her breeding career. After her time of being used as part of the breeding program she most likely will be spayed and then continues on in the home as a loved companion. Sometimes the spayed female will be rehomed with another family member or friend.

Puppymills: Dogs bred and sold for pure profit. Aimed for the pet trade so usually sold in avenues such as mall parking lots or brokered to pet stores. Puppymills can comprise of several breeding dogs or run into the hundreds and many times the breeding site is comprised of many different breeds.