Puppy Buyers Beware!                 Knowing How to Recognize Puppy Mills And Back Yard Breeders In a breed such as Border Terriers, demand is considerably heavier than supply. As such, it is neccessary to understand that some people are interested in breeding to "turn a fast buck". In their endeavors to make money, these people exploit our breed and the unknowing buyers who trust them. It is indeed a buyers  beware market. Buying a Border Terrier puppy, regardless of the source, is a substantial investment. A smart buyer wants the best possible return for his hard earned money. How does one become a smart, Border Terrier  buyer?  First, it is important to know what Ethical Breeders are. Ethical Breeders orchestrate litters in an effort to improve the breed and protect its integrity. Turning a profit is not a realistic goal for these breeders. In fact, the time, effort and investment they put into their breeding stock cannot possibly be compensated by the number of puppy sales they make. They do extensive [and expensive!] health screenings on their stock to assess for hereditary heart, eye, hip and knee problems. They belong to the Border Terrier Club Of America or like club and welcome the regulation  that such membership requires. They have signed and adhered to a prescribed Code Of Ethics carefully designed by the BTCA to guide breeders. They typically breed to acquire their next show/breeding prospect and not merely  to supply the pet demand. Therefore, they provide their pet buyers with puppies of quality that they would desire for  themselves. Breedings are painstakingly planned. Their stock is painstakingly cared for. The puppies are properly socialized. Often, breeding dogs are shown in conformation and other venues to prove their worth in comparison to the Border Terrier Standard. Ethical Breeders offer breeder support and advice for the remainder of their puppies' lives. Since they breed infrequently, be prepared to wait for a puppy from an Ethical Breeder. Sometimes you'll  get lucky and they will already have a puppy for you. Often, there will be a waiting list. What you'll get in return is abundantly worth the wait.  The anithesis and aggrevation of Ethical Breeders are Back Yard Breeders and Puppy Mills, because both entities are a threat to all that Ethical Breeders cherish about Border Terriers. There are a few differences between Back Yard Breeders and Puppy Mills, depending on who you ask.  Back Yard Breeders may or may not hold a license to breed dogs. These are typically breeders who throw two dogs together with little thought other than to produce a litter that they can sell. Usually, their stock has been acquired fraudulently or from foreign breeders of like integrity, touting, "Our dogs are from England" as their claim to fame. There are Ethical Breeders in England and there are unscrupulous breeders in England, so don't let that accolade impress you.  Back Yard Breeders often advertise in local classifieds but some have sophistacated websites. Puppy Mills are typically, commercial operations. Most are licensed. Both Back Yard breeders and Puppy Mills breed litters of puppies with one thing in mind: PROFIT. They don't care about their breeding stock and they don't care about the puppies they produce. Often times, breeding stock and puppies are kept in deplorable coditions.  Furthermore, these people don't care about you, the puppy buyer. Once your check clears, you're on your own. Puppies from these "breeders" may be cute. Most puppies are. But what they will look like at maturity is anyone's guess. Some of the potential health problems in this breed are devastating, both financially and emotionally to owners. If breeding stock is not properly screened, the likelihood of pairing up undesirable genes is greatly increased.  These "breeders" do not belong to the Border Terrier Club of America. In fact, many of them  have a bone to pick with regulations and those who seek to preserve the integrity of the breed, such as "show people". They typically sell their puppies for a few hundred dollars less than what you would pay an Ethical Breeder, because they want to lure you in. But be warned, what you save now, you'll make up for later in both dollars and woes. Smart Border Terrier buyers recognize the difference between Ethical Breeders and  Back Yard Breeders/Puppy Mills, avoiding the latter.                                                                                                                 Continue