Backyard breeders are filling in a gap in the marketplace that allows buyers to get dogs at lower prices under the guise of a “family breeder” as opposed to a dog from a puppy mill.
Sick Pug puppies - Photo courtesy of The
Pug Queen (instagram: @thepugqueen)
Just over a month ago, two pug babies were surrendered to The Pug Queen and Tiny Paws Pug Rescue. Sisters Bella and Sadie were only 3.5 months old, but both had tested positive for canine distemper. The virus begins by attacking the respiratory system before replicating and attacking the rest of the dog’s lymphatic system, gastrointestinal tract, and central nervous system. Canine distemper is usually fatal if contracted, and even if a dog survives the disease, it often has lasting nervous system damage. Sadly, despite all these rescues did to treat and care for these babies, both succumbed to the disease. Distemper, while incredibly deadly, is highly preventable with the distemper vaccination.
The Pug Queen and other rescues in Southern California are all too
familiar with situations like this. Most of the dogs that these rescues take
in come from backyard breeders. Backyard breeders are generally different
from puppy mills. Puppy mills are considered large-scale commercial
facilities that breed as many puppies as possible to sell to vendors (i.e.
pet stores). The dogs are often kept in deplorable conditions with little
care. Backyard breeders share some similarities with puppy mills. These
breeders are considered to be unethical, and they are often in the business
solely for the money. They are usually inexperienced in dog breeding, and
they take little consideration of their dogs’ needs, often providing minimal
food, water, shelter, and veterinary care. Most backyard breeders also don’t
take selective breeding or genetic issues into account. The result is sickly
puppies often sold before they are supposed to be separated from the mother.
However, backyard breeders are often attractive because they advertise
“purebred” dogs.
Despite the purported benefits of owning a mutt, a lot of people are still
drawn to purebred dogs. When getting a purebred people know what they are
getting, i.e. there are breed standards for each recognized purebred that
help inform a potential owner of health issues, temperament, or care
requirements. Respectable, reliable breeders also know the history and
health of the bloodline of their dogs and can inform potential owners of any
issues to watch out for. Breeders also often guarantee the “quality” of
their dogs and will even take “returns” of dogs that fail to meet health or
other standards. There is also a sense of prestige and status that comes
with owning a purebred dog. When buying a puppy from a breeder, the owner is
given purebred paperwork that can be filed with the American Kennel Club
(AKC).
Many people also choose to buy purebred puppies from pet stores. Before the
plight of puppy mills became widely known, people often chose to buy puppies
from pet shops. With campaigns against puppy mills, pet stores have tried to
rebuild their reputations by showcasing the “breeders” they obtain their
puppies from. Putting a face and name to the breeder often helps consumers
feel better about buying from a pet store. Puppies still come with
paperwork, and it is easy to find the breed you are looking for. There is
also a misconception that pet store puppies are well-taken care of as
opposed to buying from other sources. However, California, Maryland, and
possibly New York have decided to ban the sale of puppies, kittens, and
rabbits in pet stores, but pet stores can offer services and allow shelters
to showcase adoptable animals. While this sounds like a great way to stop
supporting puppy mills and encourage adopting a shelter animal, it also
drives people to find other ways to get the specific dogs they desire.
Unfortunately, as with any product on the market, consumers look for the
cheapest way to get what they want—maximize benefit at the lowest possible
cost. Pet stores and good breeders charge a lot for their dogs, and these
prices are not affordable for a lot of people. For example, a purebred
French bulldog from a reputable breeder can average about $3,000 depending
on the coloration. Why buy a $3,000 puppy when you can get a puppy of the
same breed for $800? Backyard breeders are filling in a gap in the
marketplace that allows buyers to get dogs at lower prices under the guise
of a “family breeder.” People inherently feel better when they buy from a
person breeding dogs in their home. The operation is not a puppy mill, and
there is an expectation that small-time and hobby breeders take good care of
their dogs. But, as The Pug Queen and other rescues know too well, the
majority of the dogs they take in come from backyard breeders who neglect
their dogs and only breed for profit.
Backyard breeders are harder to police than traditional puppy mills or
other unethical breeding operations. These are small, out-of-home breeders
that often only have a few dogs. The noises and smells associated with poor
care may not be present in the case of a backyard breeder or are far less
apparent than in a larger commercial operation. Often, these breeders sell
through online websites, such as Craigslist, who do not prevent the sale of
animals through these sites and do not ensure the animals are well-cared
for. Shutting down backyard breeders largely depends on citizen reporting or
rescue intervention, but the enforcement and penalties just do not exist on
a level to stop backyard breeders from operating.
The Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF) has filed a lawsuit in California over
a backyard breeding scheme that reaped in thousands of dollars in profits
from misrepresenting the puppies being sold. The defendants in the case lied
about the age, health, sex, and breed of the puppies they sold. Once
purchased, the puppies often died within a few days of arriving at their new
homes because of lack of veterinary care. Most puppies had never received
vaccinations or even visited a veterinarian before being sold. All the
suffering, both for the puppies and the people who bought them, came about
because of the drive to make as much money as possible. The ALDF’s primary
argument in this case focuses on consumer protection and fraudulent business
practices. If ALDF succeeds, the human purchasers in the case will be able
to receive some kind of remedy. This case does not specifically highlight
the plight of the animals and their entitlement to relief, but a victory
would help stop such practices and ultimately protect other animals from
similar fates.
Still, the best way to protect animals and stop the demand for backyard
breeders is to do research before deciding to buy any pet from an in-home
breeder. Research the family, ask other people who have purchased from them
before, schedule a home visit, and see the animal in person. Do not be
afraid to ask questions. Responsible breeders will be forthcoming with
information; unethical breeders will be hesitant to allow visitations or
provide photos. Also, do not forget about local shelters and rescues which
the pet shop bans are intended to promote. Shelters often receive purebred
dogs, and people can set up notifications from the shelter when a dog they
are looking for is taken in. Local rescues also often get purebred dogs and
many are breed-specific. There are many options that allow people to add a
new furry member to their family without having to resort to a backyard
breeder.