A very few
backyard breeders test for genetic diseases on the advice of their veterinarians, but most do not.
Not exact matches
Unfortunately,
backyard breeders rarely
test for diseases or know how to look for traits that match the breed standard.
Good - intentioned people who buy from pet stores, puppy mill websites, or even local
backyard breeders (people who breed as a hobby or an «oops» but do not actually know their breed inside and out, nor do they
test for health and temperament before breeding) often face serious veterinary bills associated with genetic issues that arise as these puppies grow.
Since
backyard breeders are mostly in it for the money, they don't spend it on showing, temperament
testing or vet bills.
Backyard dog
breeders rarely do any
testing beyond the parents, a far cry from
testing for three to five (and more) generations back which is how knowledge of their line and pedigree is developed and confirmed.
Backyard breeders and puppy mill establishments offer «purebred» puppies dirt cheap, but they won't pass any of these
test questions.
Buyers should therefore beware of
backyard breeders and pet stores whose breeding stock has not been found free of hip dysplasia and
tested for PRA and thyroid diseases.
FAILURE TO
TEST / SEARCH FOR INHERITABLE HEALTH PROBLEMS IS THE NUMBER ONE MARK OF A
BACKYARD BREEDER.
I have spoken with too many people who have fallen victim to buying from a
backyard breeder or puppy mill type
breeder only to be heartbroken when their puppies developed serious health issues that might have easily been prevented through responsible health
testing and breeding for the improvement of the breed rather than for money.
By purchasing dogs directly from pet shops, commercial
breeders or
backyard breeders you are contributing to the problem of dogs being bred without heath
testing or concern for their well ‐ being.
Some
breeders blame disreputable or
backyard «commercial»
breeders for the unhealthy dogs that are being sold.19, 20 However, genetic differences were not observed between pet English bulldogs seen at the UC Davis Veterinary Clinical Services and presumably healthy breeding dogs being genetically
tested for certain traits.
Many were a result of puppy mills or
backyard breeders who bred one «nice dog» to another, without any regard to temperament or genetic health
testing.
Failure to
test / search for inheritable health problems is the number one mark of a
backyard breeder.
FAILURE TO
TEST / SEARCH FOR INHERITABLE HEALTH PROBLEMS IS A HUGE RED FLAG OF A
BACKYARD BREEDER.