What is a BACKYARD BREEDER, really?

My Current Hot Take 

There’s a viral post making the rounds in the breeding world right now where high dollar breeders are explaining why their puppies cost thousands of dollars. They're making claims that they feed $100 a bag dog food, and claiming to spend thousands for vet visits each year per dog and that they're actually not making any money at all. (Yes, breeding costs a lot, but $100 dog food? Really? Thousands for vet visits? Are their dogs THAT unhealthy??)  They are throwing around the term "backyard breeder" and acting like anyone who doesn't charge the same high prices they do are automatically doing things wrong.

So, as usual, I have thoughts. 

I feel like this is a good time to remind everyone who I am, what I do, and what you're actually getting when you buy a puppy from me.

First, I pride myself on being affordable while also producing healthy, well-bred puppies with carefully considered genetics. My goal has always been to not take advantage of people, and to raise wonderful family pets—not luxury status symbols.

And that's an important distinction.

I have never claimed my puppies are show quality. I breed pet-quality puppies. If someone is asking several thousand dollars for a puppy, I personally think they should be offering things like show-quality potential, AKC registration, champion bloodlines, and breeding rights. If you're not getting those things, you might be paying more for the breeder's ego than the puppy.  

Now let's talk registration.

Most of my puppies are not registered because my focus is on raising healthy, beautiful pets. However, I do occasionally offer AKC puppies with breeding rights included.

Many breeders either don't offer breeding rights at all or charge significantly more for them. Some of that comes from wanting to protect their breeding programs from competition, and some of it comes from the belief that most people aren't qualified to breed. To be fair, I actually agree that breeding isn't something people should jump into without doing their homework.

But at the same time... who am I to decide whether someone looks "breeder-y" enough? 

And if a breeder believes their puppies aren't breeding quality, then why are they asking such a hefty price tag for them in the first place? Also, do you know that you can't even SHOW at an AKC event if you don't have breeding rights? So they won't even let you SHOW your show quality dog...

Just something to think about.

On the genetics side of things, I've spent years studying dachshund genetics so I can breed responsibly. I understand dominant and recessive traits, color inheritance, coat types, and the risks of certain pairings. Some of my dogs have been genetically tested, while others aren't (like if I made them or if they come from genetically tested parents and I have copies.)

I'm actually kind of a genetics nerd when it comes to dachshunds, and I'm perfectly okay with that. 

Now let's talk about the phrase everyone loves to throw around:

Backyard Breeder. 

A true Backyard Breeder is simply someone who has dogs that produce puppies, often without much planning or knowledge behind it.

Sometimes they have multiple males with access to the girls all the time and they don't know who the father is.

Sometimes they have other breeds mixed in and can't guarantee the puppies are purebred.

Sometimes they don't know what colors or coat types they're producing.

Sometimes they don't even know what those colors are called.

Sometimes there are no vet checks, or no real vaccines or deworming schedule, and no real plan.

Sometimes they exaggerate what they know.

Sometimes they misrepresent their dogs.

And here's the funny part...

Sometimes they're very cheap.

And sometimes they're surprisingly expensive. 

Price alone doesn't tell you whether someone is a responsible breeder.

Knowledge, honesty, health practices, and transparency tell you that.

At the end of the day, though, it's your choice.

A puppy is a 10–18 year commitment, and you should choose the dog that's right for you—not the dog someone guilted you into buying.

I've adopted dogs from the Humane Society before because they were cheap, they were cute, and I didn't care about their genetics. Those dogs brought me happiness. 

The same applies here.

If you're looking for a cheap puppy and don't care much about pedigree or genetics, I can point you toward breeders who fit that need.

If you're looking for expensive show-quality dogs with champion bloodlines, I can point you toward those breeders too.

But if you're looking for a breeder who is affordable, knowledgeable, honest, and genuinely cares about the puppies and the people who take them home... I just might be your person.