I thought Cami was a mixed breed?

No offense intended at all but it is VERY hard for me to consider a breeder of mixed breeds a responsible breeder, even if it is accidental, I'd expect a good breeder to be very alert against accidental breedings.

I think part of the problem here comes with people's view of what an irresponsible or backyard breeder is. I think some people who are not necessarily responsible breeders may still really love dogs and be very kind-hearted people. I think "BYB" here tends to come with a stigma of a cruel and heartless person, but I do not think that is always so at all. They may treat their dogs very well and love them dearly, but someone who breeds for profit, i.e. selling to pet stores, is not someone I believe is breeding for the betterment of a breed.

My best friend when I was growing up, her parents allowed their shelties to breed and have a litter of puppies. They were kind-hearted people and kept their dogs inside and well cared for, but it was still not an educated and particularly ethical thing to do IMO. They got both the shelties from a breeder who encouraged them to do this, yet the mother and father were half brother and sister... so this "breeder" was advocating in-breeding!

Some people grow up being taught by their parents or by those around them a different view than what many of us have here. There are plenty of cold-hearted, cruel, and neglectful breeders out there, but there are also plenty of kind, animal-loving types that contribute to the problems out there without realizing or turning a blind eye to it because they don't see themselves as a backyard breeder.

I think it is important that even though some of us may know and like these people, we recognize it is not necessarily an informed and responsible way of doing things, and let us not in turn become blind to it so that we won't repeat their mistaken ideas.