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What is a Back Yard Breeder aka BYB?
 The
back yard breeder is the single greatest cause of pet
overpopulation. Back yard breeders usually do not have bad
intentions, but the results of back yard breeding are devastating.
The majority of
homeless or abandoned dogs come from this category in many popular
breeds and mixes, they are often
destroyed in pounds. Most are sold locally through newspaper ads -
the responsibility ends when the purchaser's taillights disappear
from sight.
Many
back yard
breeders do not have the knowledge to properly raise a healthy,
socialized litter, or to help the new owner with any problems that
might arise.
Back yard
breeders may act on a desire to make extra money, or simply out of
ignorance. Sometimes back yard breeders will breed so "their
children can experience the miracle of birth", or they mistakenly
believe "every dog should have one litter." They may think their dog
is so cute, he/she would make wonderful puppies, with little or no
thought for the homes to which their puppies will go. Other back
yard breeders see how much money legitimate breeders charge for pups
and figure they could make some "easy money" too. Or, a back yard
breeder may have a completely unplanned litter by accident.
Back yard
breeders usually bring two breeding animals together regardless of
their quality. They are not interested in scientific breeding. Their
aim is to fulfill a personal need or goal, not to improve the breed
and bring excellent quality dogs to the world. Since breed
excellence is generally unimportant, the breeding dogs generally
will not have been tested for genetic and health problems.
Back yard
breeders are not necessarily bad people, they often come from middle
to upper income families, and their dogs can be well loved and kept.
However, getting a pup from a back yard breeder is a gamble:
-
the parents
likely have not been screened for health problems
-
puppies usually
are not sold with contracts and no future support to the buyer
-
the breeders
are not in it for the long haul
-
They will be
working on new personal objectives in five years when your pet has
a problem and you need help.
Although you
might pay less for the breed of your choice from a back yard breeder,
it's almost a given that in the long run, you'll pay a good deal
more in vet bills and perhaps emotional bills (if the dog has to be
euthanized due to a health or temperament problem), than you would
from a reputable breeder.
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