Backyard breeder
Encyclopedia
Backyard Breeder is a general term, often considered derogatory, used in USA to describe people who breed animals, often without registration
. In some cases the animals are inbred narrowly for looks with little regard to health. The term most often is used to describe certain types of breeders of dogs and horses. The term is used in this sense by the Animal Welfare
community, ASPCA, larger established breeders and breed club
s in contrast to the more positive term, "reputable breeder" that describes operations that use responsible methodology and practices.
It implies either or both of careless home breeding for non-commercial reasons or a for-profit small commercial operation that does not adhere to good breeding, care and sale practices. Larger commercial operations of a similar type that breed dogs are usually termed a puppy mill
(especially in North America) or puppy farm. However, as large kennels usually require licensing, many puppy mills are licensed with the USDA.
Many small breeders resent the term and its use. Some do so because they assert that they run small, but high-quality "boutique" operations. Others argue that their unregistered animals are highly desirable as companion animals and economical for ordinary people to purchase. Both groups deny that they contribute to low quality or produce unwanted animals.
This type of breeder is usually regarded by the Animal Welfare
, ASPCA, and other groups as likely to exhibit one or more of the following characteristics:
There are campaigns to reduce or eliminate this type of breeding in several countries. The primary concern of the Animal Welfare community is that this type of breeding is the major source of pet animals and that overproduction has led to overpopulation and hence to welfare issues and the putting down of animals for no other reason than the lack of suitable home. Most dog breed societies and Kennel Clubs have similar concerns but place rather more stress on issues relating to breed standardization and quality.
In the horse world, the slaughter issue is closely linked to backyard breeding and
Breed registry
A breed registry, also known as a stud book or register, in animal husbandry and the hobby of animal fancy, is an official list of animals within a specific breed whose parents are known. Animals are usually registered by their breeders when they are still young...
. In some cases the animals are inbred narrowly for looks with little regard to health. The term most often is used to describe certain types of breeders of dogs and horses. The term is used in this sense by the Animal Welfare
Animal welfare
Animal welfare is the physical and psychological well-being of animals.The term animal welfare can also mean human concern for animal welfare or a position in a debate on animal ethics and animal rights...
community, ASPCA, larger established breeders and breed club
Breed club
Breed clubs are associations or clubs with activities centered around a single, specific breed of a particular species of domesticated animal. The purpose of the association will vary with the species of animal and the goals and needs of the members of the association...
s in contrast to the more positive term, "reputable breeder" that describes operations that use responsible methodology and practices.
It implies either or both of careless home breeding for non-commercial reasons or a for-profit small commercial operation that does not adhere to good breeding, care and sale practices. Larger commercial operations of a similar type that breed dogs are usually termed a puppy mill
Puppy mill
A puppy mill, sometimes known as a puppy farm, is a commercial dog breeding facility that is operated with an emphasis upon profits above animal welfare and is often in substandard conditions regarding the well-being of dogs in their care...
(especially in North America) or puppy farm. However, as large kennels usually require licensing, many puppy mills are licensed with the USDA.
Many small breeders resent the term and its use. Some do so because they assert that they run small, but high-quality "boutique" operations. Others argue that their unregistered animals are highly desirable as companion animals and economical for ordinary people to purchase. Both groups deny that they contribute to low quality or produce unwanted animals.
This type of breeder is usually regarded by the Animal Welfare
Animal welfare
Animal welfare is the physical and psychological well-being of animals.The term animal welfare can also mean human concern for animal welfare or a position in a debate on animal ethics and animal rights...
, ASPCA, and other groups as likely to exhibit one or more of the following characteristics:
- Ignorance of selective breedingSelective breedingSelective breeding is the process of breeding plants and animals for particular genetic traits. Typically, strains that are selectively bred are domesticated, and the breeding is sometimes done by a professional breeder. Bred animals are known as breeds, while bred plants are known as varieties,...
goals and techniques, and lack of familiarity with the breed standardBreed standardA breed standard in animal fancy and animal husbandry is a set of guidelines which is used to ensure that the animals produced by a breeder or breeding facility conform to the specifics of the breed....
of the type of animal being bred. - Exclusive focus on the breed standard involving little genetic screening or co-efficient of InbreedingInbreedingInbreeding is the reproduction from the mating of two genetically related parents. Inbreeding results in increased homozygosity, which can increase the chances of offspring being affected by recessive or deleterious traits. This generally leads to a decreased fitness of a population, which is...
calculations. - Breeding of a working breedWorking animalA working animal is an animal, usually domesticated, that is kept by humans and trained to perform tasks. They may be close members of the family, such as guide or service dogs, or they may be animals trained strictly to perform a job, such as logging elephants. They may also be used for milk, a...
for appearance rather than working ability. This is a criticism also levelled at 'reputable' breeders who breed for the show ring - in some cases distinct working and show strains have emerged. - Lack of adequate veterinary care and maintenance.
- Excessive breeding from individual females, to the detriment of their health.
- Sale of animals with genetic disorders or undisclosed illnesses before they become evident to buyers.
- Lack of screening of potential owners or the provision of suitable information to prevent buyers from purchasing an animal that may be inappropriate for them or their lifestyle.
- Breeding of animals for illegitimate reasons, such as for horse slaughterHorse slaughterHorse slaughter is the practice of slaughtering horses for meat. These animals come mainly from auctions, where they're sold by private sellers and breeders....
or the usually illegal sportsIllegal sportsAn illegal sport is any sport that is illegal in some or many jurisdictions due to the violent or dangerous nature of said sports. Some illegal sports, such as BASE jumping or elevator surfing, is argued to be purely adventurous...
of baitingBait (dogs)Baiting or dog baiting most commonly refers to the act of setting game dogs against a chained or confined animal for sport. The dogs bite, and tear to subdue the opposing animal by incapacitating or killing it. Baiting is a blood sport used for entertainment and gambling...
and dog fightingDog fightingDog fighting is a form of blood sport in which game dogs are made to fight, sometimes to the death. It is illegal in most developed countries. Dog fighting is used for entertainment and may also generate revenue from stud fees, admission fees and gambling....
or to defend venues of criminal activity. Dog fanciers generally believe that such ill-bred dogs are the reason for the bad reputation of some breeds in the public perception, and the resulting breed-specific legislationBreed-specific legislationBreed-specific legislation is a law or ordinance passed by a legislative body pertaining to a specific breed or breeds of domesticated animals. In practice, it generally refers to laws or ordinances pertaining to a specific dog breed or breeds....
. The production of "PMUPremarinPremarin is the commercial name for a compound cream of vaginally administered estrogens, consisting primarily of conjugated estrogens. Isolated from mares' urine , it is manufactured by Wyeth Pharmaceuticals and has been marketed since 1942...
foals" from pregnant mareMareFemale horses are called mares.Mare is the Latin word for "sea".The word may also refer to:-People:* Ahmed Marzooq, also known as Mare, a footballer and Secretary General of Maldives Olympic Committee* Mare Winningham, American actress and singer...
s bred solely for their urine production (used in the making of the drug Premarin) is also widely condemned due to the frequency with which the progency of such breedings are shipped directly to slaughter. - Breeding without concern for the possibility of finding homes, though commercial means or otherwise, for offspring, thus adding to the population of unwanted dogs and to the slaughter of horses for meat.
There are campaigns to reduce or eliminate this type of breeding in several countries. The primary concern of the Animal Welfare community is that this type of breeding is the major source of pet animals and that overproduction has led to overpopulation and hence to welfare issues and the putting down of animals for no other reason than the lack of suitable home. Most dog breed societies and Kennel Clubs have similar concerns but place rather more stress on issues relating to breed standardization and quality.
In the horse world, the slaughter issue is closely linked to backyard breeding and