How do you tell a responsible breeder from a backyard breeder?
It’s easy to avoid sick pet shop puppies or dogs with behavioral problems being hocked by rescues, but how do you tell a "responsible breeder" from a "backyard breeder"? That is an easy question to answer, responsible breeders exhibit and win at dog shows.While the world will not end if you bring home a puppy from your neighbors backyard, there isn't much a guarantee at all that the puppy isn’t predisposed to chronic genetic health conditions or behavior problems. This is why, we have dog shows, they are genetic beauty pageants... the ugly or genetically unhealthy genes are shown the door. It is a contest who "should" breed their dogs. If they don't win, they probably shouldn't be passing their genes onto little puppies.
If you don't have all the money you need and can’t afford the possibility of longterm, expensive vet bills, I would urge you to buy from a show breeder. Some backyard breeders may truly have the best intentions, but most will have little or no experience selecting for health and temperament, and they may not know anything at all about the lineage (including genetic health or behavior histories) of the puppies’ parents. We know personally five generations of the dogs I'm showing currently. I have some dogs that are related to the dogs my Grandfather raised.
If you attend a dog show, you will be able to meet people who raise, almost every breed -- even the most rare breeds.
Rhodesian Ridgeback FAQs . . .
