Dog Facts

Dog breeding, at its best, is a blend of science and art. The skilled breeder has at least a general knowledge of genetics and health, and and in-depth knowledge of the breed standard and conformation points of his chosen breed. Most breeders are fiercely loyal to their dogs, and are concerned about each individual animal.

 

At its worst, breeding can be a slipshod enterprise in which the major concern is profit, with little regard to the health and welfare of the dogs involved. These often take the form of so-called ‘backyard breeders’ (the term for random or ignorant breeding conducted on a small scale), and ‘puppy mills’ or ‘puppy farms’ (larger businesses). It must be pointed out, however, that many excellent breeders run small-scale programs in their homes, barns, or back yards, and there are profitable large-scale operations run with knowledgeable staff and superlative veterinary care, so size and motive alone are not indicative of the quality of the breeding program.

 

Also see:

 

Purebred	Backyard Breeders
Puppy Mills	Dog hybrids and crossbreeds
Kennel Club	The Future of Dog Breeding

 

 

Dog Types: Hounds, Sporting Dogs, Terriers, Working Dogs, Herding Dogs, Companion Dogs, Pit Bulls