Just because someone puts an ad in the paper to sell your breed of choice or supposedly has "bred for years" doesn't mean that person is a good or reputable breeder; Caveat Emptor!!

Some Red flags for what may be a Backyard Breeder:

• Someone who bred their dog because the dog was "so good looking."
• Someone who was trying to replicate the personality of their dog
• Someone who shows you a Champion filled pedigree but doesn't really know about genetics or the breed standard
• Someone who appears to cut corners on proper Vet care and proper nutrition
• Someone who can't produce vaccination records
• Someone who refuses to let you come to their property and has to meet you somewhere to show you the pup that is "just right for you"
• Someone who had to breed little Roxie just one time before being spayed
• Someone who just wants their kids to see the miracle of birth
• Someone who lets a very young dog breed
• Someone who's bitch seems to be a puppy machine
• Someone who sells puppies to any pet store
• Someone who is breeding a purebred dog in the U.S. but cannot produce AKC papers and assures you the pup’s parents have their pedigree
• Someone who seems to be more interested in ribbons than the quality of the dog's genetics, health, stability or temperament
• Someone who appears to rely on breeding dogs to make a living
• Someone who doesn't ask a battery of questions about you, your lifestyle, your family, or your experience with dogs
• Someone who shows you the litter, but keeps you away from the bitch
• Someone whose kennel area is unclean
• Someone whose dogs look unhealthy, listless, poor coat, not sound
• Someone who is pressuring you into buying the dog today
• Someone who lets you or insists the dog go home with you before 7 weeks of age
• Someone who raises the litter away from the house. The pups are in a garage, barn, outbuilding
• Someone who has more than a couple litters available at once with seemingly little help. This situation is usually found in the smaller breeds or the newer designer breeds