Crazy Hobbies

Hobby breeder?

A lady lives down the road from me(out of town) that raises dogs. They are purebreds, tested and so on. She used to show, but doesn't any more, but she still has a litter now and then. Just because you don't show your dogs, does that make you a byb? I should add that I'm the one who said "hobby breeder" she's never called herself that.

Public Comments

1. no it doesnt ,she more than likely knows alot and since she has had show dogs than he dogs have good bloodline ,back yard breeders are the ones who just let the dogs breed with no regrad to thier health or breeding to make a better dog,they do it for the money and most never get reg.vet checks ,
2. I don't think that is necessarily true. Showing lets you know that you're dog is a great example of the breed, and is breeding quality. Breeders who have years of experience, but no longer show, should be able to tell if a dog in their breed of choice is breeding quality. Additionally, working dogs are good examples of their breeds if they can actually do the world they were bred for. In that case, it is better to have placed in competitions related to the work.
3. I dont think so. To me a byb is someone that says "Hey, my dogs Rex and Lady would make cute puppies, Im going to breed them and make money!" or "Hey The neighbor's dog is the same breed as mine, I should get her to let me breed them so I can make money". To me a BYB doesnt care about the breed, and generally doesnt care about the dog or is ingorant about the risks, responsibility and so on. Im currently very annoyed with my friend because he has a sheltie that is almost 6 years old that he hasnt gotten fixed yet because he says she'd make a good mom. I asked him if he can afford to take care of all the puppies and the responsibility and he said no. I asked if he knew anything about the standards for a sheltie and he doesnt. But he doesnt understand why I get so mad when he suggests breeding his dog. I have several friends, on the other hand, that breed dogs, they know the standards, try and get that perfect dog for the breed in looks and temperament and many of their dogs have gone on with their new owners to show, but they dont show them themselves. I think the label of BYB has to do more with the attitude, expectations and ignorance of the owner than anything else.
4. Dog breeding isn't a hobby. A hobby is something you enjoy doing for fun in your free time. Dog breeding and showing is, in a way, a lifestyle, and shouldn't be referred to so casually as a 'hobby'. Most people who refer to themselves as 'hobby' breeders usually don't take dog breeding as seriously as they should take it! Showing is a big part of breeding dogs. It's preferred that dogs are champions before being bred, or at least a few points away from being a champion. It proves that experienced judges give a nod of approval to that dog, and the winner is the dog that they would like to see making up the breed's future. Sure, some judges aren't great but to be a champion, your dog must show under different judges. It makes it fair! Health tests are major, too, and I think that a breeder who does this, even if they're just making 'pets', deserves some credit! I've known of many dogs who were major champions who produced more major champions, and only after they were bred more than several times did they do their health testing to find out they have a heart problem. The more tests they do, the better! If she used to show, that's good, it means she has/had good motives, but probably doesn't have the money or time or energy to do it now. In my opinion, she isn't exactly a backyard breeder but it would be nice if she bred champions, not just pets! At least she only breeds every now and then instead of all the time.
5. I would say that she is an exception to the rule. She knows all there is to know about breeding if she used to show. So she is able to use selective breeding practices with the knowledge she has. She is knowledgeable about all aspects of breeding & won't be making the mistakes that an uneducated breeder would make. She knows all about the genetic breeding & how to determine if a dog is suitable for breeding where a back yard breeder is totally ignorant.
6. No
7. It depends. Theoretically, a very experienced breeder would be more than capable of evaluating the quality of their breeding stock, however there is the risk of bias, since each of us thinks OUR dogs are wonderful. Without showing (or trialing, if you have working dogs), you don't get that "reality check". If they are still doing their best to produce quality, healthy, temperamentally sound dogs, providing the best of care, carefully screening buyers, standing behind their dogs etc. then they are not necessarily a BYB. But I'd be more comfortable with a breeder who continues to get outside confirmation that their dogs truly are worthy specimens, to avoid the risk of kennel blindness. Besides, some people get to the stage where "a little knowledge is a dangerous thing". They THINK they know what they are doing, but they don't realize how much they DON'T know. Then there is the problem that many people who "used to show" weren't actually successful at it, because their dogs weren't as good as they thought they were. These people tend to go around saying things like "it's all politics" or "the judges are crooked" or a million other excuses why their dogs don't win. Rather than learn more, find out where their dogs are lacking and try to improve what they have, they leave the sport in a snit and just continue breeding their lesser quality dogs.
8. Not necessarily in this case, although I consider one hallmark of the responsible breeder to be "breeding to keep" -- i.e. not breeding a litter unless you're planning to keep a puppy out of it to show/work -- and if she doesn't show anymore, is she still keeping puppies? For what purpose? Is she just breeding to sell? Sketchy. If she did show, and did so for many years, then she likely learned what a good example of her breed looks like, learned how to get that example, and what genetic testing is absolutely required. Even if she doesn't show any more, you should be able to walk among her dogs and count them as good examples of their breed. If, however, she showed for a few years, didn't really get anything out of it, decided it wasn't worth it, and is still breeding, I question her ethics. ADD: Mia -- I consider myself a "hobby breeder"; it's something that my extra income goes toward. Some people ski, some people play golf, some people show, work, and breed dogs. Yes, it's a major part of my life, but it's not something that pays for my food, and I certainly wouldn't refer to myself as a "professional breeder", which is the only alternative label in this case...right? Maybe I'm just too concerned about semantics. I've been accused of that before... :)
9. I find the whole 'backyard breeder' thing really irritating. All that stuff about keeping bloodlines pure and 'improving' the breed...the only justifiable 'improvements' to me are measures taken on health grounds, eg breeding Pekes who dont suffer from breathing problems, and Dachsunds without spinal difficulties. The breed standards are just artifical creations of the kennel club etc. If the dog is healthy, the rest doesnt matter, for a domestic dog at least! This lady sounds like a fairly responsible breeder, but I know people who cross breeds, and have never shown a dog in their life that I would consider resposible breeders,. They breed their dogs if/when its right for the girl, with a partner of a compatible size and shape, when they have people they know and trust will take care of the animal waiting for it to be bred and born, and who vaccinate and raise the pups in a loving family home, and keep up contact once they've joined their new owners. Many I know will charge only for the cost of the jabs and/or the breeding, and several dont charge a penny! They do it for love, and yes, for fun!
10. This is a little tricky for me. The first thing I would as is why she isn't showing anymore but does still breed. No matter how long you have been showing dogs, you still don't know everything. Maybe she wasn't winning a lot and so she just stopped showing. The other problem is kennel blindness. It doesn't matter how well you know the breed, the point is to breed in order to improve the breed. What was acceptable 10 years ago may not win in the ring today. . . so if she isn't showing, how can she compare her dogs to today's winners. I don't know. . . she wouldn't be my first choice for a breeder.