You get what you pay for

Do you really always get what you pay for when you purchase a dog to add to your family unit?

I know how tempting it is to go on kijiji and look up puppies. When you see the price of $400, $800, $1,200, it's obvious why so many would jump at the opportunity to save money. I am a single mom and I completely get it. But... do you really save money when you get a dog for a bargain price?

Let's take a moment and talk about the difference between an Ethical Breeder versus a Backyard Breeder.

What is a Backyard Breeder? A backyard breeder is an unethical, irresponsible, untrained person who saw an opportunity to make some money and jump on the bandwagon. There is no health testing being done, the dogs may not even be healthy but what the hell..... it's a popular breed so why not. This is why these folks can sell their dogs so cheaply, they have no real skin in the game. They haven't spent money on health testing. They haven't purchased proper equipment or spent the time to socialize and do training with their puppies. These puppies are often raised in dirty environments without adequate space. They are often raised on surfaces that cause hip dysplasia which may not show up for several years. They are not there to provide advise or support.

What is an Ethical Breeder? A good breeder is a person who is passionate. Breeding can be very rewarding in so many ways but it can also be soul crushing! Good breeders have invested a good deal of time and money into research, breeding best practices and best rearing strategies and so much more. They have invested money into health testing dogs that are part of their program. NOT ALL DOGS ARE MEANT TO BE BRED!! That is why good breeders health test their dogs. They screen their clients to make sure that the puppy is a good fit for the family. Good breeders are there for their clients and provide education and support to ensure the families success with their newest addition.

There is so much more that I can write on this topic but I think you get the difference. People sometimes laugh when I say this but dogs can be assholes too. That's why it's so important to introduce a well socialized puppy into your home because it really does make a difference.