06/20/2025
Are you a breeder or a puppy producer?
Even if you”just sell pets” it is absolutely your job to test breeding animals (puppy parents) for genetic health conditions BEFORE breeding them together
What those tests are will vary by breed but might include
Ofa certified hips
Ofa certified elbows
Ofa certified eyes
Ofa certified heart by cardiologist
DNA testing for a number if genetic diseases for which there are dna tests
Etc
If you dont know what these prebreeding tests are and or think your vet examining the breeding animals is what I’m talking about, then you are a producer not a breeder
Are your dogs registered with a reputable registry like American kennel club, united kennel club or Canadian kennel club?
Or are they instead not registered OR registered through a disreputable group like continental kennel club or america’s pet registry etc
Then you are a producer not a breeder
Do you know your dogs breed standard? Are you breeding towards that written physical or working standard?
If no to either then you are a producer not a breeder
Can you clearly state to buyers the virtues of both parents and a reason for breeding these two specific dogs together?
Or does your PRIMARY reasons includes “great family dog”, “loves children”, “my vet says they are great healthy dogs” if yes then you are a producer not a breeder
Do you screen your buyers to make sure your pups are going to good homes with the ability to care for them properly
Or do you sell pups first come first served? If so then you are a producer not a breeder
These are just a few of MANY things to consider
Both for those breeding dogs and those buying dogs
A producer is not creating puppies with the good of the breed at heart
While a breeder typically is considering the breed as a whole BEFORE ever putting two dogs together for a litter
Years in a breed does not guarantee that you are a breeder not a producer
