No

by Lulu

Created on: July 26, 2011

One of the main reasons people buy dogs from backyard breeders is to save money. Regardless of the reason you are buying a dog, you will be responsible for its welfare. As an animal lover I would never knowingly buy a dog from a backyard breeder; I have seen, first-hand, what the consequences can be because my parents unwittingly purchased two separate dogs from two separate breeders who appeared to be legitimate. Although some backyard breeders are good-hearted, animal-loving people, they too may have bought their breeding dogs from backyard breeders; and they may be an unintentional part of the cycle of genetic decay.

The number one reason to avoid buying a dog from a backyard breeder is that the breeder might not subscribe to proper breeding practices or laws.  Even if you are not a dog-lover, but are buying your animal for show or breeding purposes, this is a very important factor. Some backyard breeders breed too closely within bloodlines, resulting in health problems that may not initially be evident. 

Depending on your purpose for buying the dog, how does this affect you?

Personal Companionship

It is truly heart wrenching to watch your dog suffer. One of the symptoms that I have personally observed is something akin to epileptic fits. A seemingly healthy dog who, one day, unexpectedly just falls over and starts to convulse violently, his head and body smashing against the concrete. You can cradle your dog and protect it when you are present during the fits; but when you return home from work or school and find your dog lying in an exhausted heap, its head swollen and bloody, you come to the realization that perhaps saving a bit of money was not worth the pain.

Having a Show Dog

Firstly, if your dog develops overt health problems, you will not be able to enter it into professional dog shows and instead of grooming bills you will be paying veterinary bills. Secondly, when entering dogs into professional dog shows, there are certain prescribed physical traits that need to be evident in your dog for your dog to be eligible. Even if your dog seems perfectly healthy, it may have underlying health problems caused by improper breeding practices and these can affect your dog's development which could disqualify your dog from being entered into professional dog shows.  Your money will not have been completely wasted; at the very least you may have a healthy pet companion, even it this was not your intention when buying the dog.

Becoming a Breeder

If you intend on breeding with your dog, it is imperative that you do not buy your dog from a backyard breeder! This is the last option on the list for a very good reason. People wanting personal companionship or a show dog experience problems caused by improper breeding practices, but as a breeder you could unintentionally be perpetuating these problems in the offspring of your dog.  Breeding dogs and loving dogs is not mutually inclusive, and if you are in it for money and profit, you could be in for some financial losses.

Your dog is an investment. If your dog becomes ill, has to be put to sleep, or dies - you might have not recourse for reimbursement if you have bought your dog from a backyard breeder.

Sometimes the health problems that may not be evident in your animal will be more evident in their offspring, and you could be on the receiving end of the backlash from people who have bought unhealthy animals from you.

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