What is YOUR definition of a BYB?

[pitc9]

Personally I classify anyone who doesn't breed to better the breed a BYB.

I agree 1000%!!

[lvpets2002]

BackYardBuddies = Heck I am ClueLess

[buttercup132]

BackYardBuddies = Heck I am ClueLess

Backyard breeders

[Ginger's Mom]

Personally I classify anyone who doesn't breed to better the breed a BYB.

Initially I was going to second (or third) this, but then I read the below one and liked the way it was worded a little better.

To me a byb is a breeder who doesn't health test there dogs (example. Hips, eyes, thyroid, elbows, and etc) also someone who doesn't show there dogs, so they don't know if there standard, or if someone doesn't field test the sporting breeds, herding with the herding breeds.

Someone who does it for the money, there dog's could be parents, because there dog's make great pets, there dogs are cute, or they want double of there dogs

Although my quick easy answer would be the same as buttercup's, it doesn't say enough about what is meant by "better the breed." A Backyard Breeder is anyone who does not do everything necessary to make sure through proper temperment testing, physical testing and comparing the traits of the two dogs to be mated to attempt as best they can to ensure that the puppies will grow into physically and mentally sound dogs that can behave in a manner that the particular breed was meant to behave (be it hunting, protecting, or just being a companion animal).

[binka_nugget]

In short, it's someone who doesn't breed to better the breed.

Now here's my long-winded definition. A backyard breeder is anyone who: breeds for money, wants their children to experience the miracle of life, breeds because their dog is cute, doesn't go through health clearances (hips, eyes, thyroid, elbows, etc), thinks their bitch would make a good mom, yada yada yada.

Responsible breeders breed to better the breed. The dogs don't necessarily have to be shown and have Championships though. For example, drive and working ability is more important than conformation for Malinois, herding instinct is important for working BCs, etc. With that said, responsible breeders will prove that their dogs excel in whatever it is they are breeding for, be it conformation, schutzhund, french ring, herding, tracking, hunting, etc. In addition to proving that their dogs excel in their chosen sport(s), their dogs will also be tested for hips, eyes, elbows, whatever the health problem is in their breed. They only have as many dogs as they are able to properly care for. They focus on quality over quantity. They have contracts stating that dogs must be returned to them if the owner decides they don't want it anymore.

Basically, anyone who breeds and doesn't do the above things, is a BYB in my books.

[Giselle]

Like members before me already stated, a BYB is anybody who does not breed to better the breed. Thus, anybody who does not health test their dogs, does not show their dogs either in conformation or in the field, breeds unacceptable or abnormal varieties ("Imperial Shih Tzus", parti-color poodles [AKC DQ], "Tiny Toy Chihuahuas", etc.), and anybody who breeds for money is a BYB.

Now, there are also irresponsible breeders who are every bit as bad as BYBs. Irresponsible breeders may health test their dogs, they may show every once in a while and have a couple CH's here and there. They may love their dogs dearly, but they are ignorant. I once knew a breeder who, on the outside, seemed like a reputable breeder. However, her dogs began throwing dysplastic pups. Yet, she denied any genetic link and continued to breed her dogs without a second thought.

There should only be one type of breeder: one who strives to produce puppies even better than the parents of the pups. A responsible breeder is one who produces stronger, healthier puppies truer to the standard. Any breeder who does not follow these rules is a BYB/irresponsible breeder.

[bckrazy]

Like members before me already stated, a BYB is anybody who does not breed to better the breed. Thus, anybody who does not health test their dogs, does not show their dogs either in conformation or in the field, breeds unacceptable or abnormal varieties ("Imperial Shih Tzus", parti-color poodles [AKC DQ], "Tiny Toy Chihuahuas", etc.), and anybody who breeds for money is a BYB.

Now, there are also irresponsible breeders who are every bit as bad as BYBs. Irresponsible breeders may health test their dogs, they may show every once in a while and have a couple CH's here and there. They may love their dogs dearly, but they are ignorant. I once knew a breeder who, on the outside, seemed like a reputable breeder. However, her dogs began throwing dysplastic pups. Yet, she denied any genetic link and continued to breed her dogs without a second thought.

There should only be one type of breeder: one who strives to produce puppies even better than the parents of the pups. A responsible breeder is one who produces stronger, healthier puppies truer to the standard. Any breeder who does not follow these rules is a BYB/irresponsible breeder.

HAHA. yeah, I'm lazy, and that's exactly how I feel on this topic.

IMHO, a breeder first and foremost should know every little thing about their breed, every in and out, and should have a real love and respect for them. Every admirable breeder I have met has owned their breed for years & years, and could talk about their dogs all day long. I also feel any reputable breeder should be actively involved in breed rescue, not only adding good quality dogs to the breed, but also helping to clean up after the bad breeders.

[Nobas Mom]

I once knew a breeder who, on the outside, seemed like a reputable breeder. However, her dogs began throwing dysplastic pups. Yet, she denied any genetic link and continued to breed her dogs without a second thought.

Hubby and I are on our way out of town... finally to take care of some important and not good family stuff... but decided to check PT one last time. I fully agree with this Giselle. Noba's breeder is like this. Came across as very reputable, but then as soon as Noba was diagnosed with Hip Dysplasia at 8 months, she did a total turn around; was uncaring, denied any responsibility (tried telling me it was something I had done)... and yet continues to breed the mom and dad... hmm... byob comes to my mind...

Well everyone have a good thanksgiving, not sure when I will be back, but take care and if I can, I will check back into PT every so often!

[ScottieMommy]

I have to come in here and add this. I know a lady who breeds Beagles. She spend over 2 years researching about the breed and learning. She first got a spayed female Beagle puppy. Once the puppy passed away she started looking to breed, she DINT take at breeding right away and she ONLY breeds Beagles NO she does not mix them either. She will health test all her dogs, she will care for them like ANY reputable breeder would do. She lives alone out in the estates and she does this for a passion for Beagles. She does NOT work and lives alone. She owns a lot of land and manages with all. She is over 50 years old, and you should see the condition her dogs are in passed excelence. The sad thing is that she has NO time to show, and does that make her a terrible BYB? She dedicates her life to her dogs, she only has 2 litters per year from different females and she has 3 females and 2 males ALL health tested. She could have more than 6 litters per year if she wanted and NO she only has 2, thats her limit and sometimes none or 1. She NEVER breeds for xmas because she believes pets should never be given as a gift, she does not have a website adverticing her puppies either. She has her own personal vet that comes all the way from Talahasee to give her puppies health certificates plus shots. She lets them go in a spay/neuter contract ONLY. And is sad how she is classified under as a BYB just because she does not show her dogs. Here is something i agree with
BYB is a generalized term that pet people have found handy to use for breeders of other than show quality animals. There certainly are plenty that fit under this term but why not discuss the puppy mills run by people far worse than any BYB. My personal dog is from what folks would call a BYB but she is a true purebred in lineage and is documented. She was also veted immediately and both her parents had been health tested as well. Sure, people other than kennels or show breeders will spend time on forums and ask questions if they want to be informed. I say again, BYB is as generalized a term for folks that don't breed for show etc as player refers to someone that mooches off of others and calls it playing them. Just my humble opinion.
I dont know if you agree or not, but there are good and bad things to everything.
As for puppy mills there is no GOOD thing. Those people are the ones doing wrong to all of us. Having over 50 dogs some dying in cages without them knowing and rotting to death. Those people should be the ones taking the bad name.

[Giselle]

ScottieMommy, this "beagle lady" is middle-aged, unemployed, and lives alone. What is she so busy doing then? How can she not have any time to go to a show every once in a while? I find it EXTREMELY hard to believe that this "reputable beagle breeder lady" does not have, what, 1 hour per month to travel to a show?? She doesn't even have to go to a show every month. She could go to a few specialties and pick up majors there. Or is it, her dogs are not of breeding quality and therefore she does not burden herself with showing her dogs?

There are a LOT of perfectly healthy dogs who can get PennHip'd, OFA'd, and whatnot. Almost every agility person I know x-rays and examines their dogs' hips and elbows and sometimes their eyes. Their dogs almost always pass with good or excellent results. These people love their dogs. Should they breed? NO! There are plenty of dogs who can get health tested and pass satisfactorily, but the one major factor that differentiates breeding-quality dogs from pet-quality dogs is their contribution to the overall breed. The only way to prove such quality is through competition - conformation, herding, hunting, lure coursing, Schutzhund, etc.

And I don't know where you got that quote, but it is extremely inaccurate. The author of your quote assumes that the only way to prove your dog is through showing. False false false. There are plenty of other ways that we've already mentioned.

[ScottieMommy]

ScottieMommy, this "beagle lady" is middle-aged, unemployed, and lives alone. What is she so busy doing then? How can she not have any time to go to a show every once in a while? I find it EXTREMELY hard to believe that this "reputable beagle breeder lady" does not have, what, 1 hour per month to travel to a show?? She doesn't even have to go to a show every month. She could go to a few specialties and pick up majors there. Or is it, her dogs are not of breeding quality and therefore she does not burden herself with showing her dogs?

There are a LOT of perfectly healthy dogs who can get PennHip'd, OFA'd, and whatnot. Almost every agility person I know x-rays and examines their dogs' hips and elbows and sometimes their eyes. Their dogs almost always pass with good or excellent results. These people love their dogs. Should they breed? NO! There are plenty of dogs who can get health tested and pass satisfactorily, but the one major factor that differentiates breeding-quality dogs from pet-quality dogs is their contribution to the overall breed. The only way to prove such quality is through competition - conformation, herding, hunting, lure coursing, Schutzhund, etc.

And I don't know where you got that quote, but it is extremely inaccurate. The author of your quote assumes that the only way to prove your dog is through showing. False false false. There are plenty of other ways that we've already mentioned.

She owns a lot of land, and is busy most of the day out there. Even tho i would not call it a job is hard to keep up with land and when you are alone. She also visits her grandchildren a lot, and YES she does everything but show her dogs. That does not make her a bad dog owner/breeder to me. There are many worse out there. I dont know anything else since i dint ask her about her personal life much :x

[Freedom]

Responsible breeders breed to better the breed. The dogs don't necessarily have to be shown and have Championships though. For example, drive and working ability is more important than conformation for Malinois, herding instinct is important for working BCs, etc. With that said, responsible breeders will prove that their dogs excel in whatever it is they are breeding for, be it conformation, schutzhund, french ring, herding, tracking, hunting, etc.

Oh yes! I always forget the field work; and I attend plenty of border collie sheep trials, so I have NO excuse; just my nutty brain!

[buttercup132]

Oh yes! I always forget the field work; and I attend plenty of border collie sheep trials, so I have NO excuse; just my nutty brain!

I totally forgot about that too. But I agree.