There are many different criteria that describe a responsible breeder, and some are more responsible than others. You have the right to purchase an animal from anyone and anyplace that you choose, however you should consider where your hard earned money is going and what it is ultimately supporting.

Below is a partial list of the attributes of a responsible breeder, it is written to pertain to dogs, however it is equally applicable to every animal.

Lists like these can be found all over the internet. They often have different details, but they all follow similar guidelines. The focus is on the animals being produced, not the convenience of the breeder.

All dogs are health tested

A 'health test' is not simply a check-up by a vet. Complete health testing includes hip and elbow x-rays, cardiac and thyroid tests and for some breeds hearing and sight tests. It also includes testing for genetic problems. There is NO excuse for a breeder not to do health testing, except it cuts into their profit. Both 'show lines' and 'performance lines' have genetic problems. If the breeder claims to have 'healthy dogs' then ask them to prove it with health certifications.

All dogs are pedigreed with a reputable kennel club

There are many registries that give out 'hung' papers. 'Hung' papers are simply certificates that say a dog is a certain breed, they mean nothing and are based on sending in pictures and money. The American Kennel Club, United Kennel Club and Canadian Kennel Club are examples of reputable registries. If you can register your dog simply by sending in a photo of the dog, don't waste your money.

A pedigree is nothing more than 'proof' that your dog is pure bred. If you are not planning to show your dog then you really don't need a pedigree.

A pedigree does not guarantee you a show quality dog, it does not guarantee a healthy dog, and it does not guarantee a dog with a good temperament.

All dogs are DNA profiled

DNA testing is the ONLY way you can truly know who your dog's parents are. Both the AKC and UKC offer DNA profiling, though comparatively few breeders take advantage of it. There are many cases of less-than-reputable breeders lieing about the parentage of their dogs.

Unfortunately, the internet has made it very easy for bad breeders to fool people. A common scam is to steal a photo of an accomplished dog from a reputable breeder's web site and claim that it is a parent of the litter they are selling. It is only through requesting the DNA profile of the parents and the puppy that you can know for sure that you are getting the lines that you are paying for.

Both dogs have conformation and working titles or certifications

When a responsible breeder creates a litter of puppies, they should be breeding to better the breed as a whole. They are looking for the 'total package'. The dog should look correct for the breed - conformation titles - and the dog should be accomplished in the work of the breed - working titles.

Of course, in the case of Pit Bulls, their true 'work' was dog fighting. That evil, inhumane practice is now illegal, so many Pit Bulls now earn titles in weight pull, agility, tracking, protection and other venues.

Working titles are important, correctly bred Pit Bulls are an athletic, fit, powerful animal with great stamina. If the dog looks like it would get tired walking to the end of the driveway then pass it by.

Certifications are different than titles, in that they can expire. A dog certified by Therapy Dogs International has passed their tests, but the owner must renew the certification yearly and follow the guidelines for that re-certification. Titles are life long, so a dog may be 'previously certified' in something, but have let that certification lapse.

Another current trend in Pit Bulls is the 'short-n-wide'. These dogs, as advertised, are often under 24 inches tall and weigh nearly 100 pounds. They have almost no athletic ability and numerous physical problems due to extreme overbreeding. Elbow and hip problems are rampant, and often show up well after the 'health guarantee' has run out. Hip Dysplasia can cost thousands of dollars to treat.

No history of genetic problems

The current 'blue' fad in Pit Bulls has seen an epidemic rise in the number of dogs with genetic skin problems. Demodex mange is caused by a suppressed immune system, and is not normal for a well bred dog, and can cost hundreds of dollars to treat. Many dogs who have Demodex Mange as puppies will have problems with mange over their entire lifetime and will have relapses when under stress or when ill.

Requires buyers to sign a buying contract

A responsible breeder cares about the dogs they create. A buyers contract will often require that the dog never be sent to a shelter, that the breeder has the first right to the dog if the buyer needs to get rid of the dog for any reason and other stipulations.

Buyers contracts are not an issue for a responsible owner, as they do nothing but protect the future of the dog.

A responsible breeder will also have a lawyer to back up that buyers contract.

Does not breed until every puppy is sold

Responsible breeders do not sell litters after they are born, every dog is spoken for before the two dogs are introduced. Responsible breeders usually have waiting lists for their dogs, and though you may have to wait a bit for your new family member you have the greatest chance of getting the happy, healthy family member that you want.

Does not sell dogs on the internet

A planned litter may be announced on the internet, however a responsible breeder would never sell a dog to a person they have never met just because that buyer sends them a check.

Does not breed mixes

Call it a 'hybred', a 'bandog', a 'mix' or a 'mutt'... whatever you want to call it, the results are the same. Just another mixed breed dog. There are hundreds of thousands of mixed breed dogs being killed in shelters every day. Why make more? Money is the ONLY reason.

Labradoodles, Schnoodles, Doxles, and all the other cute 'designer dogs' available at pet stores are just high priced mutts. If you want a mutt, by all means, get one!!! But get it from a shelter, don't pay $600 dollars for one.

Does not have multiple litters in a year

A breeder is responsible for every life they create - for the entire life of the dog. No matter what the reason, a buyer must have the option to return a dog to the dog's breeder at any time. If a breeder is creating 20 puppies every year they need to have the time, space, money and resources to care for every single one of those dogs if they are returned to them.

Knows where every single dog they have created is

Responsible breeders keep track of their dogs. A responsible breeder microchips all of their puppies so that they will be contacted immediately if the dog is ever lost and picked up by Animal Control. The invention of the implantable microchip was a huge step forward for animal identification.

Has healthy, happy dogs who don't live out their lives on a chain or in a kennel

Dogs are pack animals, and thrive in the company of other dogs and humans. Living life in a dusty yard on the end of a chain or in a kennel run is no life for a dog.

Will help you with EVERY problem you have with your dog for the dog's entire life

No pet store can make the same promise. No BYB can either, because the average BYB is too busy with the next litter and the next and the next...

Often offers money back if you spay/neuter your dog or if you earn show or working titles

Earning titles is good advertisement for the breeder and the breeding program. Not all offer money back, but many do because your work pays off for them in the long run.

Spays or neuters pet quality dogs before they sell them

If a dog is pet quality - and half of most litters are - then it should not be bred, EVER. The only way you can prevent a dog from being bred is to alter it. To protect themselves and their quality breeding program, responsible breeders ensure that only the best dogs they produce will reproduce.

This is by no means an exhaustive list, however it is a start.

You may be thinking "wow, who on earth can meet all of those requirements?" And the answer is: VERY FEW breeders even come close. Some breeder meet many of them, and if you must buy from a breeder you want to find on who does most (if not all) of the above.

Again, you have the right to spend your money anywhere you want to. However, when you buy from an irresponsible breeder you put money in their pocket and support the ongoing misery of their breeding stock.

1. buy a dog from a responsible breeder
2. you can get one from a reputable rescue
3. you can find one in a shelter

Rescues are a great source to find new pets. A rescue differs from a shelter in a few important ways. The best part about rescue is that most rescues have foster homes. A foster family takes a dog in and it lives with them until adoption. This is advantageous for the adopter because you will know exactly what to expect from your new dog. You will know ahead of time if it is good with other dogs and cats, if it likes children, the dog will be house broken and have leash manners. If you are patient and look around, you can get the dog of your dreams - including the coat and eye color you want! If you adopt a dog from a rescue, you are opening up another space in a foster home so another dog can be saved from a shelter. There are many pure bred dogs and puppies in rescue, so you don't have to buy a dog to get a 'pure bred.'

You can also adopt a dog directly from a shelter. There are some shelters that have foster homes like rescues do, but those are not very common. If you look for a dog from a shelter be sure to talk to the shelter staff about the dog and try to spend some time with the dog before you take it home. Not every shelter is fortunate enough to have rescues that have space, so you may find the perfect dog at the local pound.

There are literally thousands of Pit Bulls who need homes, from puppies to adult dogs to special needs dogs. Check out the rescue section of our links page to find a Pit Bull in your area, or just go straight to PetFinder!