Adoption Options: All About Breeders

Have you ever wondered what the difference is between animal shelters, rescues, and breeders? Have you heard of puppy mills but don't know what they actually are? Wondering if it's safe to buy a pet online? Are you considering bringing an animal companion into your family, but don't know where to look? This series is for you! Welcome to part 3 of our 5-part series, Adoption Options.

So what's the big deal with shelters vs. rescues vs. breeders? Many people have strong opinions on this topic, but we aren't here to convince you one way or the other. All options are giving animals who don't have a home, a home, and that's a wonderful thing. This series is here to educate people about the main forms of obtaining animal companionship so folks can make their own educated decisions about what's the best fit for their lifestyle, family, and situation.

Animal Breeders

Hank, our spokesdog, is from a breeder.

What are they?

Animal breeders are people who breed and sell animals to others. These are often purebred animals. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, "purebred" is defined as "bred from members of a recognized breed, strain, or kind without admixture of other blood over many generations". When the lineage of a purebred animal is recorded, they are considered "pedigreed".

A purebred golden retriever has two golden retriever parents, who each had two golden retriever parents, who each had two golden retriever parents, etc. If a Labrador Retriever and a Husky have a litter of puppies, those puppies are considered "mixed" and not purebred, even if their parents were, because their parents are two different dog breeds.

Breeders often breed animals out of a love for the breed. They might appreciate the aesthetic beauty, intelligence, or athletic ability of a breed. They may have special personal connections to the breed or adore the general temperament of the animals. Some folks love a breed because they're from the same part of the world as that particular breed and feel a connection to the dogs of their ancestors.

Hank as a puppy, with both parents pictured above him.

The adoption process

The process of adopting from a breeder varies, depending on the breeder. To find breeders in the first place, some people ask their local veterinarians or breed clubs for information on breeders. Another good place to look is at dog shows. Otherwise, there are plenty of resources online for finding animal breeders (more on that later).

Many breeders have websites with pictures of their available animals posted for people to browse. If you like what you see, you can usually find contact information on their website. You can make a phone call or send an email to set up a meeting. Unlike animal shelters, you usually can't just show up at the person's place on a whim  they might not provide their address until contacted. Additionally, to find a reputable breeder who's breeding the kind of animals you want, you may have to drive quite a distance.

A good breeder will make sure to conduct an interview and ask plenty of questions to make sure you and the animal will be a good fit. There will be a meeting or multiple meetings, depending on how far away you live, though it is generally recommended to meet the animal before committing to adopt them. Even after meeting the animal, it's good to take some time to think about making the decision. Bringing an animal into your life is no small decision, after all.

Hank is a purebred Bloodhound.

Controversy

Some consider buying animals from a breeder unethical as compared to adopting from a shelter or an animal rescue.

If it's a backyard breeder (someone with little to no experience who doesn't take good care of the animals and is in it solely for profit), then yes, that's not a good place to bring your money to. However, there are plenty of reputable breeders who deeply love and care for their animals. They have a legal right to breed these animals, and you have a legal right to buy or not buy from them. Many compare responsible breeders to good rescues, finding homes for every animal they breed and keeping track of them once they're gone, checking in to make sure they're doing well. Ethical breeders also make sure the animals are a good fit for the families they adopt them to.

A common argument against buying from breeders is that you can find plenty of purebred dogs in shelters, so why buy one from a breeder? One popular and oft-quoted statistic claims 25% of shelter dogs to be purebred. This statement was debunked, however, in a 2015 survey that found only 5% of dogs in U.S. shelters to be purebred. Almost 2% of those dogs are Pit bulls (a commonly misidentified breed) and Chihuahuas (the leading import dog for relocation programs).

It's a common fallacy that by buying an animal from a breeder, you're hurting an animal in a shelter. Yes, there are many cats and dogs in shelters that need to be adopted. There is also a demand for purebred animals, and the demand is not going to go anywhere anytime soon. Good breeders and responsible adopters are not responsible for the problem of abandoned animals in shelters. Irresponsible breeders and irresponsible adopters, however, are.

Some people who buy animals from reputable breeders face unfair judgement. The kind of person who would be put on a year-long waiting list for a retriever puppy is not the kind of person, generally speaking, who would then quickly abandon the dog on the street.

Hank loves being outdoors and spending days playing with the neighbor dog, Theo.

Why adopt from a breeder?

Some people adopt from breeders because they have a specific need. For example, someone might look for a Sphinx cat breeder or other hairless cat breeder because they're looking to adopt a cat, but have allergies related to pet hair.

Like rescues, good breeders will take back and keep or re-home any animal they've bred if you are no longer able to care for them. They are also often experts on the breed and can give you support and answer any questions you have related to the breed's general characteristics, health, etc.

Some people like the security of knowing the history of the animal's parents. You will be aware of any pre-existing health conditions or genetic dispositions with the animals you buy from a good breeder, and the medical history of the animal's parents, as well. Some breeders will provide a health guarantee against specific conditions. Breeders can also get a good feel for the temperament of their animals. All of this is important information to know for military, police, rescue, and service animals.

That information is also important to know if you participate in dog or cat sports or showing. The American Kennel Club (AKC) and the Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA) require people to have animals from certified AKC or CFA breeders.

There's also an amount of predictability when it comes to size, appearance, and temperament when adopting from breeders.

Keep in mind

• Puppies are a lot of work--and this isn't specific to breeders, this is general advice. Puppies need to be trained.
• Buying a puppy from a breeder can be very expensive, and you, the buyer, are responsible for all the puppy's vetting. Make sure you are financially prepared before you meet any puppies, and contact your local vet to find out how much puppy healthcare will cost.

Hank loves a good howl. Time of day doesn't matter, though the presence of squirrels helps.

Good vs. bad breeders

There are some key ideas to keep in mind when evaluating the quality and character of an animal breeder.

Good breeders:

• Provide genetic health testing/screenings to make sure your animal is not likely to carry inherited health problems
• Provide complete and accurate health records for the animals
• Will show you the animal's parents and their history
• Will show you the environment the animal was raised in, where they play, sleep, etc.
• Spend a lot of time socializing and observing the offspring, at least until they are old enough to be adopted
• Don't sell right away. There will be communication for awhile; they don't sell animals on the spot to the first person who shows up with money
• Screen new homes/potential adopters and ask lots of questions
• Don't sell through pet stores or any other way that doesn't involve in-person meetings and interviews to make sure you and the puppy are a solid match and you'll provide a lifelong good home
• Will take animals back at any point in their lives
• Are often involved with local/national breed clubs, and certainly abide by their codes of ethics
• Breed healthy, happy animals who are kept in clean and humane conditions
• Often don't always have puppies for sale--they give their dams (breeding female dogs) a break for their health and wellbeing
• Care for their animals deeply and aren't just out to make a quick buck
• Provide a pedigree and registration papers made out in your name when you're ready to make the purchase

Young Hank was very excited about this big rope toy.

Bad breeders:

• Are in it just for the money
• Don't care about the wellbeing of their animals
• Don't socialize their animals enough, which can lead to temperament problems
• Don't know about good breeding practices, which can lead to genetic health problems
• Don't perform health screenings or provide any background
• Don't tell you anything about where the animal was raised or their parents
• Sell puppies to whoever shows up with cash/don't screen potential adopters thoroughly
• Are willing to sell through pet stores
• Keep puppies and their parents in inhumane conditions
• Are "USDA Approved"--this is a bad sign. This means the breeder got permission to sell dogs "sight unseen", and in fact the USDA standards are shockingly low for quality of care. People who breed dogs and are USDA-approved can sell dogs as pets, to stores, and for research. These people, broadly speaking, do not care about their animals.

Keep in mind that a bad breeder doesn't have to fit all of the above criteria to be a bad breeder--but even having one of these traits is definitely cause for suspicion. Health problems are expensive, and behavioral issues can be that as well as mentally burdensome.

If you see an animal being kept in poor conditions or mistreated, report the breeder. You can contact your local law authorities and humane associations if you see an animal that is being abused. If the concern is more along the lines that an animal isn't being health screened, inform the appropriate kennel club.

If you think you've located a puppy mill, report them here.

Why look for good breeder?

• Better quality of life for the animals
• Dogs live a long time, 10-20 years, so investing the time now to make sure your companion is happy and healthy is worthwhile
• Not financially supporting someone who doesn't treat animals humanely and thus perpetuating the cycle

Hank rubbing his eyes with his paws is pretty cute.

How to find an ethical breeder

If you've already checked with your local veterinarian, dog shows, and breed clubs, you're probably now eyeing up the World Wide Web. There are many breeders online, and they are definitely not all ethical. The Humane Society has a nifty PDF detailing some requirements to keep in mind (along the same lines as the Good vs Bad Breeders section above). But where to actually start?

The American Kennel Club has a webpage dedicated to AKC Breeder Referral Contracts, where you can find information about official breed clubs, their webpages, and various contact details for people connected to that breed.

Online forums dedicated to particular breeds can be another place to check out, with caution. When people form an online community based around a subject, you tend to be able to find some knowledgeable, trustworthy people (and a lot of people who have no earthly idea what they're talking about). Look for forum moderators, or people who have participated a lot in the forum and seem to be well-respected amongst the community. Many good breeders sell their animals because of good ol' word of mouth, and online forums are one way to do that. You can also connect with other people who have adopted from a particular breeder previously this way. Exercise much caution, and make sure to continue to follow the above guidelines for evaluating a breeder.

After a long day of playing (or sleeping), Hank likes to have a good, big yawn.

Interview with Howard and Gloria Atkison, adopters of Hank the dog

What made you decide to get a dog?

For the business, a little. Our pound puppy Bessy passed away and I wanted a hound dog. My grandpa used to raise hounds, and I liked the disposition. I wanted a bloodhound because I thought they were a neat looking dog and we have plenty of room for him to run around.

Why did you choose to adopt a dog through a breeder? How did you find a breeder that suited your needs?

The breeder was in Kentucky. We looked at several breeders online and I liked certain characteristics in the dogs' looks from the breeder we found, so that was the starting spot. I liked the coloring of Hank. He was raised on a farm, and so the dogs from this breeder were able to roam around on the farm and see other animals. We had a little bit of back and forth correspondence before we decided to do it. We got pictures, we didn't go down and see him first because it was too far away. They didn't let people come to the farm because it was their grandparents' farm, so for privacy reasons, they met us with Hank at their grandparents' house in town. Since their animals are free range, also, they probably didn't want people in the personal space of the animals.

We met the breeder in the driveway. We got a book with Hank when we got him: records of his shots, who his parents were, and their breedlines. The book also had recommendations for feeding him and taking care of him, a whole mess of stuff to help you get an education on this particular breed of dog. They also had a little gift bag that had a blanket his mom had slept with for her scent, and some toys. Kind of made him feel comfortable with us when we got him.

We had to agree that he would be neutered within a year of getting him. We weren't interested in becoming breeders. We just liked this kind of dog. We've gotten many dogs from the pound before too, as well as 3 Saint Bernards from breeders.

Sunny days are perfect for playing on the lawn.

What was the process of buying Hank from the breeder like?

Not a whole lot of paperwork, but they probably looked at our social media.

We sent some follow up messages to them, letting them know how he was doing. He was named already when we got him. They said we could change it, but we didn't. Sir Hank E Pank is his registered name. He was born November 24th, and we brought him home February 9th, and he was already getting big.

Were there requirements for adopting animals from this breeder?

We told them we'd had large dogs before, and we told them what our business [ASL Solutions] was, so they knew we would be people that would take care of him. There was some correspondence about our lifestyle or our age or some things they could assume. I don't remember filling out much paperwork. More just emails back and forth.

What was the fee like?

It was about $400-$600 for him.

One of Hank's favorite hobbies is lying down.

What advice would you give to someone who's considering adopting a dog?

Any pet you get, make sure you're giving them a good home. Know what size they'll be and what you have space for. Know if they're playing around kids what their disposition is, do they like cats, what about other animals, are they gonna cause issues with your neighbors. Hank's breed likes to run round with nose to the ground, checking things out. He's got plenty of room to do that. If I lived mostly indoors and kept the dog inside I'm not sure that's the breed I'd go with. He's also got a little bit of slobber with him. You have to consider where the dog's gonna be, where you're at in your life. Dogs can trip you, when you get older you think of those things. I wouldn't adopt a hyper dog if I had mobility issues.

Would you recommend adopting from a breeder to others?

Yeah, I think as long as you do your homework. You know why you're getting what you're getting, then you can kind of read the situation when you're dealing with a breeder or anybody else. What's the disposition, what's the environment where they're coming from. The good news about doing it through a breeder is that you have a lot more connectivity with the dog. With Hank, we know who his parents were and their background. We have a pretty good idea about how he grew up.

I don't care what kind of puppy it is, a puppy is cute. But if you're looking for characteristics in the look of an animal, then seeing what their parents look like can help you see what they might look like. We liked Hank's parents' long ears, the droopy-eared hound dog look. He inherited those same ears.

Hank doesn't want to come out of his CRB just yet. Unless you've got snacks.

Conclusion

Animal breeders are people who breed animals and sell them to other people. These are often purebred animals, or special breed mixes. Not all animal breeders are created equal--if you're going to buy an animal from a breeder, do your research and make sure you find an ethical breeder. You can ask your local vet, dog shows, breed clubs, or try your luck online for finding an ethical breeder.

The adoption process varies depending on the breeder, but if you've found a reputable breeder then it will take some time to adopt the animal and bring them into your life.

Before you buy an animal, take into consideration what kind of animal you're looking for. Some breeds are typically more energetic, while others are okay to lounge around more. Breed isn't a guarantee of temperament, likes, or dislikes, so it's a good idea to meet the individual animal and get to know them.

All in all, make sure you do your research before you adopt an animal, and when you adopt, try to commit to giving that animal a loving forever home!

Hank as a puppy, all paws and floppy ears that he grew into (eventually).

Photo credit: Pamela and Lyndsey Mulvey

Sources:

Admin. “Survey Reveals Misconceptions about Purebred Dogs in Animal Shelters.” American Kennel Club, 14 July 2015, www.akc.org/clubs-delegates/government-relations/government-relations-blogs/survey-reveals-misconceptions-purebred-dogs-animal-shelters/.

“Federal Licensing & USDA Standards.” ASPCA, https://www.aspca.org/barred-from-love/laws-rules/federal-licensing-usda-standards.

“How to Find a Responsible Dog Breeder.” The Humane Society of the United States, www.humanesociety.org/resources/how-find-responsible-dog-breeder#:~:text=You%20can%20find%20responsible%20breeders,or%20visiting%20professional%20dog%20shows.

“Rescue vs Shelter vs Breeder Pet: Which Is Right For You?” My Pet Cab, Starwood Animal Transport Services, 4 Nov. 2020, www.mypetcab.com/blog/rescue-vs-shelter-vs-breeder-pet.

Thank you to Erik Streck, Shawn Cruze, Gloria and Howard Atkison, Abri M. Iwanski, and the Fox Valley Humane Shelter for their information and assistance with this series.

Written by Skye I. R. Iwanski