This message is from: Sessoms <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Misha wrote ...
Will somebody please give me a definitive explanation of the term, 'backyard breeder'? It is easier for me to describe the term as it applies to Labradors; the 'backyard breeder' makes more sense when you look at it as it applies to a very, popular dog breed. But the definition of 'backyard breeder' is the same in any pure-bred animal, including the Norwegian Fjord Horse, only the particulars are different ... While reading this remember that the raw definition of pure-bred is "limited gene pool". That means good breeders have to contend with the good stuff and the bad stuff that are inherent within the genes of any closed population of pure-bred animals. Bad breeders don't think about it very much. The 'backyard breeders' are the people responsible for the 10-15 litters of Labradors advertised in our local newspaper nearly every week. The most likely reason those puppies were created was to give the owner of the bitch a little pocket money. At a mere $250 a pup, the only guarantee you'd get is that the bitch was not cleared for the health problems that do crop up in even the most carefully planned litters of the best bloodlines ... dysplasia, heart murmurs, OCD and eye problems. These pups would be lucky to get their rounds of parvo shots and other shots puppies need before they leave their dam, or worm meds, or even high quality food and basic, clean care. And the new puppy owners are not likely to get proper puppy care and training instructions or support if a problem should develop. The sire was probably chosen simply because the bitch owner ran across the dog and his owner at the local park and he thought the dog was really cool. Many 'backyard breeders' do give proper health care to the bitch and her litter because she is a beloved house pet; but too often that's not the case, by the time the pups get advertised, the poor bitch might have ribs showing, and her teats chewed to ribbons because she was slightly malnourished, wormy and stuck in a pen in the basement or backyard with a hungry litter that should have been properly weaned from her starting weeks ago. And sometimes the little puppies are separated from their dam much too early because the breeder can't or won't keep up with the mess. Unlike humans, dogs learn the basic social skills as tiny babes with the dam and the littermates. If these critical lessons are lost the pup may turn into an adult with behavioral problems. You know you've found a 'backyard breeder' if he/she is finding homes for five or six week old puppies. You can see byb Labradors, many with behavioral problems, any day of the week at shelters all over the country. The 'backyard breeder' can't discuss pedigrees except to tell you that the dogs grandfather was 'Super Charger' or a 'Shamrock Acres' dog. The 'backyard breeder' will brag that his dogs are all AKC registered as though that, in itself, meant something special and is a reason to breed. The 'backyard breeder' probably has never participated in any competition where he/she would be exposed to knowledgeable dog people. It takes study and information gained through exposure to the animals and people who do it right. The good breeder learns what their breed is all about. They learn just what characteristics are typical of their breed and what characteristics might crop up that are wanted and what to avoid. It takes knowledge and hands-on experience to learn what is correct about your dogs and what physical and temperament characteristics you do and don't want to double up on. That's what the conformation shows are about - learning - not a beauty pageant; and any breeder that tells you that shows are beauty pageants hasn't got a clue. Another words, the 'backyard breeder' doesn't even know, really know, what a Labrador is, whether his bitch is of breeding quality or not. Chances are good he/she doesn't even know the simple basics about the breed like ... you don't breed chocolates and yellows together. He often says he breeds 'rare chocolate Labs', 'rare fox red Labs', 'rare white Labradors' or 'golden Labs', and then he charges more money for the 'rare' colors without even realizing there is no such thing - Labs are black, chocolate or yellow; the chocolates and yellows come in various shades ... period. He brags that the stud dog was 120 lbs and had an 'English block head'. They also perpetuate terrible behavior problems like hyper or sharp Labradors. Or untypical physical traits like long rat tails, fine bones, almond-shaped eyes, tucked-up tummies or terrier-type ears. President Clinton owns a 'backyard bred' Lab! The 'backyard breeder' probably won't be able to tell you how to name your dog, or what the meaning of the kennel names are. He probably thinks those long names on the pedigree are just a bunch of hooey. He probably can't tell you what the titles before and after the names mean. The 'backyard breeder' may have gotten hold of a seriously fine, well-bred bitch, then he goes out and buys a husband for her at pet store (pet store dogs are usually produced by puppy mills, far worse breeders than 'backyard breeders'). The 'backyard breeder' says, "I don't breed show dogs, I breed pets." He doesn't even realize that show dogs are pets; and that, except for the rare exception, well-bred litters produce far more 'just pets' than future champions. You really aren't breeding Labradors, except on paper, if you don't know how they are supposed to act in a hunting situation; that they must have 'marking ability' to keep track of where the bird falls, they should not be loud mouths, they should have a clean mouth, they should be able to work at the handlers commands, they should be driven by something inside them to fetch. That they should make excellent, fun and active companions. That their fur should have certain characteristics, that they shed something awful. Their ear is supposed to fall a certain way. That they can be terribly rough players as puppies. Their eyes should look wise and sweet to reflect their character. That they should have severe bouts of butt-tucking at the most inappropriate moments. That a forearm that is too short is a common problem in the breed, that they should be short coupled and the breeder must know what that means ... there are thousands and thousands of things like that to learn, each of which define the Labrador we want by our side and the combination of traits makes the Labrador different from all other breeds. Everybody starts at the bottom though, but there is a big difference between the beginning hobby breeder and the 'backyard breeder'. The hobby breeder realizes he/she is ignorant and wants to learn. And, if his questionably bred bitch is a truly outstanding individual, he proves it sooner or later. More often than not, he realizes just how many wonderful Labs there are in the world who don't have questionable pedigrees and he spays his old girl and buys a nice, well-bred bitch for his foundation. The hobby breeder realizes there are no perfect animals, but breeds to try to improve upon the sire and dam. A good breeder always breeds up, he never knowingly breeds his bitch to a lesser quality dog. And when a good, hobby breeder looks at a nice pedigree he recognizes the names of dogs/bitches he has made an effort to see and know about. He has gotten to know many of the animals strengths and weaknesses. And perhaps, most importantly, when a good breeder looks at his bitches pedigree he recognizes the effort, care, joys and heartbreaks of each good breeder behind him for many years, through many generations of man and dog. The term doesn't literally mean their animals were bred in the backyard, it means "people who breed in ignorance and don't care enough to learn more". These usually aren't bad people, just ... profoundly ignorant people ... sigh. It also doesn't mean that their produce are all bad. My first Lab, Miss Scout, was a byb; so smart 'she was people', we loved her so, she was part of us. But ugly, my-oh-my ... hound dog ears on a pear-shaped head, funny crooked dewlap, tall and skinny as a pointer. She's also responsible for the three well-bred brats who are laying at my feet as I type this!!!!! Unfortunately, Fjords aren't as easy to learn about as Labbies ... there are numerous dog/Lab events nearly every week of the year, lots of publications not written in Dutch, and many excellent breeders to visit and talk to all over the world. Sorry, if I stepped on a few toes and that this is so long - but this is a pet peeve issue for me. The very fact that we are on this list to learn means that we probably aren't amongst the horrible ranks of the dreaded 'backyard breeders'!!!!! Can I step off my soap box now????? :-( Meredith Sessoms Soddy-Daisy, Tennessee, USA mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] with Caper, Carly and Crickett at my side.
