What is a Responsible Breeder?

The Jindo Dog > Breeding Jindos > What is a Responsible Breeder? Catagories of Breeders

Due to the complexity of the Jindo world, it can be difficult for a newbie to determine who should be supported or not. Here is my opinion on the types of breeders found in the US and whether they should be supported or not.

"shelter-collectors" People who "rescue" dogs from shelters, for the purpose of breeding together those dogs, no matter if there's no proof if the dog is pure or if there's no history on the dog. DO NOT SUPPORT!

"Backyard" breeders This term is used to describe the mentality rather than actual location of these breeders.   These breeders will breed any Jindo to any other Jindo. The breeding is often done with dogs owned by the same owner and kept at the same home.   There is no in-depth knowledge about the background of the dogs and often no concern if the dogs are breeding quality or not. Usually comes without any papers. DO NOT SUPPORT!

"Kennel-blind" breeders Breeders who love their dogs so much that they find any reason to breed their dogs at least "just once, " nevermind that the dog has blaringly obvious faults and problems. DO NOT SUPPORT!

Chronic "Accidental" breeders How many "accidental" litters should a breeder be allowed? I say one. It's ridiculous to see someone claiming their 4th and 5th "accidental" litter.   If there are that many accidents, then that breeder does not know what s/he is doing.   It's a sympathy ploy if I ever saw one. DO NOT SUPPORT!

"Can't find the papers" breeders Surprisingly, there have been more than one case of someone who has claimed to have bred a Jindo that came with papers, but when pressed, couldn't find the papers due to misplacement or divorce. Couldn't remember any details in the dog's pedigree. DO NOT SUPPORT!

Name-chasers, paperless Breeders who have no real knowledge of dog breeding or improving dog lines. They purchase and breed dogs who might very well have famous ancestors or parents, but the dogs themselves are not breeding quality.   No papers or proof of the dog's lineage. DO NOT SUPPORT!

Name-chasers, papered Breeders who have no real knowledge of dog breeding or improving dog lines. They purchase and breed dogs who might very well have famous ancestors or parents, but the dogs themselves are not breeding quality. Comes with papers from a recognizable source. I would not support unless the breeder is showing obvious efforts to increase his/her knowledge and dogs. Would only refer people interested in pet-quality dogs to them.

Professional Breeder Breeders with connections to Jindo organizations in Korea.   Has pedigreed dogs, will compete in dog shows, and have considerable dog knowledge.
Mentality is that selling puppies is a business.
Not uncommon to have very clean and legal kennels.
Because the welfare of the individual dog is de-emphasized, I would steer people to other breeders.
There are much worse breeders than these though.

Hobby Breeder Low-keyed breeders who are into breeding for love of the breed. Not afraid of spending thousands of dollars in importing good dogs.
Breeds infrequently.
Usually has knowledge and proof of dog's lineage. Participates in attending dog shows and increasing personal knowledge of dogs and dog breedings.
In my opinion, this type of breeder has the highest potential to become a reputable breeder, and so I do support them.

Show Breeder Breeders who breeds dogs that compete in shows. Could be either good or bad. This can be a bit deceptive. One has to know the context of the particular show to know how much weight to assign to a show award.

Reputable breeder (A step beyond the hobby-breeder.) Has established a good reputation among breeders and owners. Has become a spokesperson for the breed.
Has established a recognizable line of Jindos.
Conducts many tests on his/her dogs - conformation, temperament, health, etc.
None in the US right now.

What exactly is a reputable breeder?

Comparision between a Responsible Breeder vs. a Backyard Breeder, by Lawrence County Humane Society

The reputable breeder feels responsibility toward the breed itself, toward the dogs he breeds and to the people who have dogs of his breeding. He spends astounding amounts of his time and money on matters he thinks are for the best interests of his breed.
It is this awareness of responsibility that marks the difference between the true breeder and mere "puppy-raiser". The breeder is an artist, motivated by a drive to create perfection; the puppy raisers and the dog dealers are motivated by the desire to make money.
Fortunate is the novice-buyer who purchases his first dog from a reputable breeder! Whereas a pupy-raiser may sell whole litters to dog dealers, the breeder insists on direct contact with those who buy his dogs, and sells only after the most careful screening of a would be purchaser in order to ascertain the mutual suitability of dog and buyer.
While often not fully appreciated until AFTER the dog is bought, this screening by the breeder is the greatest protection a dog purchaser can have.
Though the cost of properly caring for his dogs may cause him sleepless nights and untold worries, the reputable breeder will never let a single puppy or older dog leave for a home that is not as good or better than the one he is providing. Even when the dog is sold, the breeder's help and advice do not end but continue throughout the dog's life, a responsibility cheerfully accepted by him without expectation of compensation.
When selecting a puppy, the reputable breeder will show you a copy of the pedigree and explain why they selected the bloodlines they used. He will allow you to see the puppies and the mother and assist you in selecting the proper puppy to meet your needs.
                                                                                                                                                        - Author Unknown

The Ethical Breeder:
1. Carefully interviews prospective buyers and has specific requirements that prospective owners must meet, such as spaying and neutering pets, housing the dog in an enclosed yard, agreeing to never let the dog off lead in an unenclosed area
2. Sells by contract
3. Sells puppies with a health guarantee
4. Insists upon getting the dog back if the buyer is no longer able to keep the dog
5. Does not have more litters than he can keep well groomed and well socialized
6. Does not have more litters than he can keep housed longterm if he is unable to sell the puppies
7. Spends individual time with each dog under his care every day
8. Tests his breeding stock for known hereditary diseases and then breeds with the aim of decreasing the incidence of hereditary diseases
9. Is very concerned with producing puppies with excellent temperaments as well as health
10. Can identify each puppy and chart it's growth and development from birth onward
11. Is willing to help educate the novice buyer and happily answers any and all questions about his breed and his individual dogs
12. Is willing and able to show the prospective buyer the health certificates and test results on the sire and dam of the puppies
13. Wants to be informed of any health or temperament problems that his puppies develop through out the lifetime of each puppy
14. Is available for help, advice, and education to the buyer through out the life time of the puppy

"shelter-collectors"	People who "rescue" dogs from shelters, for the purpose of breeding together those dogs, no matter if there's no proof if the dog is pure or if there's no history on the dog.	DO NOT SUPPORT!
"Backyard" breeders	This term is used to describe the mentality rather than actual location of these breeders. These breeders will breed any Jindo to any other Jindo. The breeding is often done with dogs owned by the same owner and kept at the same home. There is no in-depth knowledge about the background of the dogs and often no concern if the dogs are breeding quality or not. Usually comes without any papers.	DO NOT SUPPORT!
"Kennel-blind" breeders	Breeders who love their dogs so much that they find any reason to breed their dogs at least "just once, " nevermind that the dog has blaringly obvious faults and problems.	DO NOT SUPPORT!
Chronic "Accidental" breeders	How many "accidental" litters should a breeder be allowed? I say one. It's ridiculous to see someone claiming their 4th and 5th "accidental" litter. If there are that many accidents, then that breeder does not know what s/he is doing. It's a sympathy ploy if I ever saw one.	DO NOT SUPPORT!
"Can't find the papers" breeders	Surprisingly, there have been more than one case of someone who has claimed to have bred a Jindo that came with papers, but when pressed, couldn't find the papers due to misplacement or divorce. Couldn't remember any details in the dog's pedigree.	DO NOT SUPPORT!
Name-chasers, paperless	Breeders who have no real knowledge of dog breeding or improving dog lines. They purchase and breed dogs who might very well have famous ancestors or parents, but the dogs themselves are not breeding quality. No papers or proof of the dog's lineage.	DO NOT SUPPORT!
Name-chasers, papered	Breeders who have no real knowledge of dog breeding or improving dog lines. They purchase and breed dogs who might very well have famous ancestors or parents, but the dogs themselves are not breeding quality. Comes with papers from a recognizable source.	I would not support unless the breeder is showing obvious efforts to increase his/her knowledge and dogs. Would only refer people interested in pet-quality dogs to them.
Professional Breeder	Breeders with connections to Jindo organizations in Korea. Has pedigreed dogs, will compete in dog shows, and have considerable dog knowledge. Mentality is that selling puppies is a business. Not uncommon to have very clean and legal kennels.	Because the welfare of the individual dog is de-emphasized, I would steer people to other breeders. There are much worse breeders than these though.
Hobby Breeder	Low-keyed breeders who are into breeding for love of the breed. Not afraid of spending thousands of dollars in importing good dogs. Breeds infrequently. Usually has knowledge and proof of dog's lineage. Participates in attending dog shows and increasing personal knowledge of dogs and dog breedings.	In my opinion, this type of breeder has the highest potential to become a reputable breeder, and so I do support them.
Show Breeder	Breeders who breeds dogs that compete in shows. Could be either good or bad.	This can be a bit deceptive. One has to know the context of the particular show to know how much weight to assign to a show award.
Reputable breeder	(A step beyond the hobby-breeder.) Has established a good reputation among breeders and owners. Has become a spokesperson for the breed. Has established a recognizable line of Jindos. Conducts many tests on his/her dogs - conformation, temperament, health, etc.	None in the US right now.