What constitutes a good breeder? That is a question that even breeders cannot agree upon entirely. However, there are a few things that all good, responsible breeders have in common.
Responsible Breeders Place the Welfare of Their Animals First
Responsible breeders realize that sometimes during a pregnancy, things go wrong. The mother dog or cat may need help delivering or may need an emergency Caesarian section to deliver the puppies or kittens. The mother dog or cat may not nurse or care for the puppies or kittens properly after the birth. There are any number of things that can happen during and after a pregnancy and a responsible breeder is not only aware of the potential problems but has a plan in place to handle such eventualities.
Responsible breeders realize that breeding their animals may not actually result in a profit being made from the sale of the puppies or kittens, particularly if complications occur and medical treatments become necessary. Good breeders never hesitate to treat the animal in the optimal fashion even if the treatment erodes the profit realized from the birth. Responsible breeders also have funds set aside or have agreements in place with local veterinarians to care for their pets in the event of a complication before, during or after the birth process.
Good Breeders Stand Behind Their Puppies or KittensResponsible breeders guarantee their puppies and/or kittens free of disease and congenital problems and stand behind that guarantee.
Responsible Breeders Breed Their Pets in Order to Improve the BreedThe best breeders do not simply breed puppies or kittens to be able to sell. Good breeders choose the best breeding stock available, test that breeding stock for heritable diseases known to exist in their breed and do not breed inferior animals.
While sub-standard examples of any breed often make good pets, breeders do not breed in order to simply be able to sell as many puppies or kittens as possible. The best breeders research the breeding crosses they choose to make and breed for specific characteristics which are designed to produce specimens of the breed that are of equal or higher quality than either parent in the breeding.
The Best Breeders do not Breed Animals Which are Likely to be DiseasedWhile it may be difficult to make the decision not to breed a particular dog or cat, responsible breeders do not breed animals which are likely to produce offspring which are not completely healthy. Dogs which are themselves suffering from hip dysplasia should never be bred. Dogs which have suffered demodectic mange should not be bred. Cats which have cystic kidneys are not candidates for breeding. Any animal which has a heritable health condition is not an ideal breeding candidate and good breeders choose only the best individuals within a breed to be part of their breeding program.
Responsible Dog and Cat Breeders Breed on a Limited BasisResponsible pet breeders do not run puppy mills and do not breed their pets in rapid succession. Female dogs and cats need time to recover from the process of birthing and raising a litter of puppies and kittens and good breeders realize this and give their pets the time needed to recover fully before being bred again.
Responsible breeders also do not breed puppies and kittens in numbers which they cannot readily place. Good breeders consider the welfare of the puppies and kittens they are producing and make certain that the kittens and puppies they breed go to good homes where they will receive proper care.
Being a responsible pet breeder comes with a price. Good breeders of dogs and cats consider the welfare of their breeding animals and the welfare of the puppies and kittens produced from their breeding first and foremost. Monetary concerns are a secondary consideration for a responsible pet breeder and a good breeder knows and accepts that breeding dogs and cats does not always yield a profit. At times, a breeder may even suffer a financial loss, not to mention the countless sleepless nights an animal breeder is likely to spend caring for mother dogs and cats and orphaned puppies or kittens.
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