First off I would never ever buy a dog from a pet store. I want to see the parents and know how it was raised and so on.

Here are my definitions.

Breeder - Someone who has more then 3 breeding dogs(whether female or male). Does all the health testing, titles their dogs either by showing or trials or both. Breeds for the over all dog(temperment, health, structure, intelligence). Makes sure the dogs they have have the best of everything including time and love. Has contracts to back up her dogs, is very picky on who gets their dogs, requires spay/neuter of all pet quality dogs. All their dogs are registered. Would never breed a famlae more then 3 times. Would never breed before the age of two or after teh age of 6. The list goes on.

Hobby Breeder - The same as above but has 3 or less breeding dogs. I would be classed as this.

Back Yard Breeder (BYB) - Someone who just has one or two dogs and goes to the closest person who looks like they might have the same breed and breeding them. Rarely has registration papers for their dog or for the puppies. Does no health testing. gives no garentees and sells their pups for next to nothing or free.

Puppymill - has many dogs and many breeds. Gives them as minimal care as possible. Just enough to keep them alive and keep them breeding. breeds as soon as possible, on every heat for as long as possible. does not health testing. Many times has falsified registration papers or is registered with fake registries. Does not do any of the things a Breeder should do. The dogs are usually sick and diseased. They are in it to make as much money as quickly as possible. The list goes on.

Those are my definitions.
Nicole