I have seen it said on here that a BYB is anyone who does not test their dogs.
I have seen it said on here that a BYB is anyone who does not show their dogs to prove they are worthy.
I have seen it said you are not a professional if you have more than one litter a year.
I have seen it said that if you only have one litter a year, you are a hobbyist.
I have seen it said to leave the breeding to professionals.
I have seen it said that only professionals should have pure breds, everyone else should go to shelters.
I have seen it said that no one should breed. Everyone should go to shelters.
I have seen those who breed with in standards and those trying to start new breeds both get blasted for their "practices."

My question is, who gets to decide who is right and who is wrong?

No kidding with all these people contradicting each other, who can tell?

Then according to your post I am a BYB and a hobbyist. WOW thanks for clearing it up for me, at least now I know.

LOL

I think this thread was started for the sole purpose of starting an argument...I refuse to engage...unless you would like to start over with an intelligent question or debate.

ROTFL If you are refusing to engage, why did you post here?

What one person calls starting an arguement, someone else calls expressing an opinion.

I think she asked a good question. And would love to hear some replies...

i agree.. ive been reading these discussion questions for about a year now and just decided to sign up.

what bothers me is that the "great breeders" on here tell you to go to a shelter.. but they are breeding their dogs.
soo.. whos buying their puppies? and why do they let people buy them if they believe so much is rescueing?

im not bashing.. just asking.. i think its nice to get advice and that people out there will help.

The people who choose to purchase or not purchase any Breeder's puppies decide. It is an individual opinion, and despite what some think-- it's not a black and white issue.

You could say, what makes a good parent? Yet many people have many different parenting styles. It doesn't make one wrong or the other right.

I believe it was a Sumpreme Court Justice (But, I could be wrong) who once said, "I can't describe pornography but I know it when I see it."

I for one, can't come up with an all inclusive description for a BYB, Hobbyist or maybe even some Puppy Millers, but I know one when I see one or hear of one and their practices.

Irish said: I for one, can't come up with an all inclusive description for a BYB, Hobbyist or maybe even some Puppy Millers, but I know one when I see one or hear of one and their practices.

uncalled for comment.

***Edited By: pyrmom on 8/28/2007 2:39:11 PM***
Reason: *

The term BYB around here has been used to describe some that probably are, and then used on some that aren't. It seems to me that BYB is just a new way to say *

uncalled for comment

***Edited By: pyrmom on 8/28/2007 2:40:06 PM***
Reason: *

UnsweetendT
You have hit the nail on the head. They talk in circles. It is like they are the only ones allowed to have a purebred dog. Everyone else should resign themselves to a shelter dog.
And dear God, help you if you mention buying something they consider a mixed breed. And if you mention all dogs started out mixed, you are understating the situation.
It is not a breed until it is on the recognized list.
And you know there are several on here that have just now made it to the FSS list. Why are they acceptable, but others not?

Julie, you'll have to give me a few to come up with a coherent answer to your question!
UnsweetenedT: the reason I direct my clients, or try to, I should say, to a shelter, is because I don't produce enough puppies to satisfy the demand for them.
They invariably refuse to go, and wait for my puppy.
I wish with all my heart that someone would phone me and say they rescued a dog. It has'nt happened yet.

I will respond to this, as probably one of the older members on the forum. I have been involved in Purebred dogs since I was five when I received a field Beagle from my father. So I consider I have been involved in dogs for almost 47 years. But did not start breeding until 2001. You can enjoy dogs and compete with dogs without breeding them.

While most people on this forum consider me a professional breeder, I do not. A professional is someone who earns there living at what they do professionally. I do not. I have a fulltime job to earn a living. My dogs are my excentric over priced hobby. I bred dogs because I have found a breed that I am very passionate about preserving for future generations. I show because not only do I enjoy it, I LOVE TO WIN. And it gives me a good idea where my breeding stock ranks with fellow breeders breeding stock. I do Earthdog trials because they too are fun, but it also tells me my dogs still are structurally correct to do the job they were bred to preform. And that the still have the hunting drive they should.

I do health testing, because once again I say, I am interested in preserving the breed for furture generations and of course I have great regard for the health of my dog and any dog I bring into the world. I feel that if I bring them in, they are my responsibilty for life. When I place a dog, it is my hopes that I have done my work as a responsible breeder, in placing each and every pup in the best home possiable. But in the rare case that something does not work out, I am there to step up and take that dog back into my home and heart. It rarely has happened.

If someone comes to me that is interested in getting into breeding, then I will help them with that goal. I have put my life into these dogs, and do not want just anyone ruining what I have worked so hard for. So I don't have a problem with someone wanting to breed per say. I just want them on the right tract. And for them to have that is a good thing. Then they do not have to learn all the hard lessons I had to learn. So getting a mentor prior to doing any breeding is worth it's weight in gold.

Jander, what I don't understand is why it seems that all you want to do is argue that you are right and can do what ever you want. Yes, that may be correct. But it is the dogs who suffer from those who breed blindly. Instead of arguing, use this situation to your advantage and learn from all this knowledge that is available to you. I posted to you under TO BRED OR NOT TO BREED thread, I don't think you have even read that.

When someone purchases a dog from me as a show/breeding prospect, they must show. Because I feel if the dog is not worthy of the show ring, then it is not worthy of the whelping box. This may not always be the case with a more experianced breeder. If you show the dog and the dog is not winning, then we revisted the agreement. I will either show the dog for them, and see if we do better. Or help the owner find a professional handler. Many times a great dog will loose due to poor handling technics. Once the dog reaches maturity and showing to a champion title looks like it in not going to happen, then the dog is re-evaluated. If it is now deemed not show worthy, it will mostly likely be spayed/neutered. And I will be giving the buyer a different dog to show to begin there breeding program.

Unlike alot of other show breeders, they just write it off, because the dog was sold as PROSPECT. I think if the dog is going to be in the show ring with my Kennel name on it, I want only the best of the best out there representing my Kennel.

Breeding is not something that should be done on a whim. It is a serious commitment. We are the guardians of the breeds. It is our job to treat this honor with respect for our dogs and ourselfs. While I do not consider myself a professional, it does not mean I do not conduct myself as Professional in every aspect in regards to my dogs and breeding program.

Hope this helps some of you better understand.

Windy, no I am not arguing that I can do what I want. I am just tired of the double standard.
I see you here Windy helping people, doing what you can. I think it is great!
This thread was not addressed to you. The people who just come here to see who they can flame next. That is who those questions are to.

I want to second that Windy! You have always been very nice and polite and answered my questions, example the pedigree of Charlie, my mutt! I am still researching on that too!

I answered because this is a public forum, where anyone is allowed to respond. I think the reason so many arguements start, is because as breeders and guardians of our beloved purebred dogs, we are very passionate. Thus some are more easily drug into arguements.
But no one can gain anything from arguing. I do believe healthy heated debates can be benificial. We can gain a better understanding through education than argueing.
And I hope those who can not post a responce without heated words, will just refrain from posting anything. And not be sucked into an arguement.

And to your original Question, who decides what is right? I believe that is to be decided by a moral, and ethical conscience. Because what ever we decide, the end result effects the dogs.

Janders don't you work with rescues? I would think you would be all for professional and ethical breeding.

Leo, yes I do rescue. A lot. And yes I am all about ethics. I would like for some of the posters here to learn what ethics are.
My post is not about ethical breeding, however. It is about double standards.