Unscrupulous Breeders - How To Spot Them

Have you bought a puppy from what turned out to be an unscrupulous breeder?

What do you feel constitutes unscrupulous breeding?

One that tell you they don't have any health problems in their lines, when the fact is, they haven't tested for them.

Dawn R.

That's a good point.

How about seeing the parents? And how should the litter be 'advertised' or should they be 'advertised'?

Aftercare?

Anyone with unregistered litters. Question why unregistered, could be a litter between two registered ones!
Becky

I would always expect to see the litter with their Mother, but not neccessarily their Father.

I think advertising is OK as long as only truth and facts are used in the advert. I hate the phrase ''excellent pedigree''. It doesn't mean a thing. It's a phrase used to impress the unsuspecting, gullible general public.

I would also be suspicious if a breeder didn't question me intensly and assure me, that they would support and advise me all the dogs life. As well as that they should offer to take the dog back at any time without hesitation.

Dawn R.

Is that only KC registered? What if it is an unregistered/developing breed?

IMO they should never need to be advertised. A breeder should have a waiting list longer than the most likely number of pups expected for their breed before they consider producing a litter.

There should be a breed club though. Somewhere people can get advice and recommendations.

Dawn R.

I had a lady ring me the other day who had been to see a border terrier litter she had found via the KC litter register (on the kc site). She was offered a pup the moment she set foot in the door, no questions asked - or answered, and was told the pups were 'ready to go'. They were three weeks old!
I advised she write to the KC and make her feelings known.
That alone smacks of an unscrupulous breeder to me!

Where do people get to hear of the breeder?

I see where you are coming from here!