I don’t think a BYB needs to have lots of dogs. They can have just one breeding pair.

BYB’s do not enter their dogs in conformation. They are not involved in the breed club, either. They do not know the breed lines of the parents. They do not have genetic or health testing done on the parents; they have no health clearances for the parents. They are not interested in scientific breeding, and will breed the same bitch and dog repeatedly. They usually own both parents. A BYB may have a completely unplanned litter; and will breed a bitch more times than is healthy, and more often than is healthy.

The parent dogs have little or no training and get minimal exercise. The parent dogs may not be socialized.

The person has selected a dog breed which is “popular,” as sales are an important part of the operation.

The BYB does not matches buyers to puppies. A BYB will let the person pick the one that is “cutest.” After all, they are “just pets,” not show dogs.

There are loads of sites which set out the characteristics of BYBs. And of puppy mills.

From http://www.21stcenturycares.org/backyardbreeders.htm:
**Anyone who has a litter for fun, profit or by ‘accident’.
**Anyone who is so uninformed that they think having AKC papers means that their pet is breeding quality. RIDICULOUS!!
**Anyone who advertises their litters in the local paper for sale. (respected breeders only advertise in trade magazines)
**Anyone who thinks that by finding their puppies good homes that they somehow don’t have to play by the rules or take responsibility. MANY WILL STILL ULTIMATELY END UP IN THE POUND AFTER YEARS OF ABUSE OR NEGLECT!!!
**Anyone who thinks they found their litter good homes, simply because everyone that took one, smiled honestly and ‘promised’ to treat them well.. Thus insisting on no background check, no enforceable contract or any type of follow up. A PERFECT RECIPE FOR A SAD LIFE FOR THE POOR PUPPY.
**People may /will provide erroneous information to the potential adopters regarding the required care and treatment necessary for the pet - simply for their own personal gains and claim to know much more than they really do for ego boosts.
**Respectable breeders will have walls adorned with trophies and certificates which represent the numerous championships they’ve acquired over the years.