My Journey with a Backyard Bred Dog

Today I looked down at my heart dog, and for the first time, I saw she’s growing old. Little white hairs decorate her merled face, her eyes no longer look as bright as they used to, her once sharp, white teeth are growing dull and yellow despite regular brushing, her joints have begun to ache, and she’s getting snappy when she wants to be left alone. This all seems normal for an aging dog… however, this particular dog is only six.

Faith is a bottom of the barrel, backyard bred dog I picked up off the back of a truck in a walmart parking lot. I bought her for the whopping $550 I saved up petsitting when I was thirteen years old because I now realize I wanted the instant gratification of getting a cheap puppy then instead of surviving a wait list for a more expensive puppy who would have come a year later. While I knew of mill breeders and how horrible it was to buy a puppy from one, I didn’t fully realize there was a difference between responsible breeders and backyard breeders. So, when I found an ad for mini aussie puppies, I jumped at the opportunity. A week later, I brought home Faith. The breeder told me both parents were healthy, free from hip or elbow dysplasia, they come from great bloodlines, and although Faith’s AKC papers weren’t ready yet, she’d mail them to me in a few weeks. I signed a short contract saying I’d take care of my new puppy, and we drove off into the sunset (quite literally-- the sun was in my eyes the whole trip).

For the first few weeks I had Faith, everything seemed fine. She was incredibly smart, willing to please, and she learned new cues almost instantly. There were no problems with her socialization; everyone was ner new best friend. When she turned about four months old though, I noticed something funny. Whenever she stood up and took that first step, I’d hear a slight popping sound. When I placed my hand on her hips, I could feel them popping in and out of place. Concerned, I reached out to her breeder. I got no response. Upon further investigation by a vet, I was told that Faith had very lax hips; however, if I “keep her lean and well muscled, it shouldn’t be a problem,” she said.

It didn’t take long for me to see there was a future for Faith in competitive dog sports. While I had yet to see the AKC papers I was promised, we were active participants in 4-H and I purchased her a tracking number for ASCA agility (a way to track points and earn titles for unregistered/unpedigreed dogs). Together, we competed in obedience, rally obedience, agility, and junior showmanship. She also earned titles for tricks, canine good citizen, and therapy work. There wasn’t anything this dog wasn’t up for trying at least once. I’m thankful she and I accomplished so much when she was still young.

When she turned just four years old, she was diagnosed with severe hip dysplasia. Hips are supposed to be a ball in socket joint-- well, Faith’s hips don’t have a socket. I flew her to see an expert in canine hip dysplasia; I was open to trying anything that would make her as comfortable as possible. We settled on a pain management plan with instructions on how to build and maintain muscle in her rear. If her muscles were strong enough, they would hold her hips in place and act as a functional joint. Unfortunately, attempting any surgery could have made her issues worse.

After the visit, the first thing I did was reach out to her breeder (yet again). I don’t know why I was so hopeful that she’d care, but instead, she blocked means of communication with me and refused to accept responsibility for the problem. Upon further digging, I discovered this breeder has a reputation for producing dysplastic dogs. Faith’s sire and dam weren’t even tested for hip dysplasia as she said before I bought my puppy. I felt betrayed and taken advantage of.

Powered by pain meds, 5000 mg Glucosamine Hydrochloride, 1200 mg Chondroitin Sulfate, 1000 mg MSM, 100 mg Vitamin C, 100 mg Omega-6, 50 mg Turmeric powder, and her usual multivitamin supplement, 40 lb Faith was back in business. She resumed her usual active dog lifestyle as recommended by her vets to keep her body lean and her muscles strong. Though she’d never go back to high impact sports like agility, she enjoyed lower impact sports and leisurely hikes. However, a year and a half later, and things got bad again.

Despite all the meds and supplements, she started slowing down once again. Another trip to the vet, and it was determined she has severe elbow dysplasia. Furthermore, her shoulders and back were deteriorating as well. “On the bright side,” the vet told me, trying to lighten the mood, “these knees feel fantastic!” I forced a brief chuckle while trying to fight back tears. At a little over five years old, my dog was quite literally falling apart. We left with stronger pain medication and instructions to keep her lean and active for as long as possible-- because the moment those necessary muscles begin to waste away, she’ll have nothing left to keep her body up.

As she continued to deteriorate, my previously friendly and outgoing dog began to change. She grew grumpy, developed a low reactivity threshold, and now loses her patience quickly. She has become growly (and sometimes snappy) with people and other dogs in her space. I try not to get upset with her because I know she’s only acting out because she’s in pain. However, I can’t help but miss the patient, loving, and doting dog she once was.

When Faith turned six, I was contacted by the owner of her littermate brother. Turns out Buddy is not only having issues with his joints, but debilitating issues with his heart as well. I need to schedule another vet visit to have Faith’s heart checked; though at this point, I don’t think I can handle any more bad news while still continuing as a functional human being.

Currently, Faith lies next to me on a memory foam mattress as I type. She sleeps contently, though occasionally she moves and emits a soft whine. When she wakes, she’ll rise slowly. Her joints will grind and pop loud enough for me to hear them several feet away. She’ll lean down to stretch and her back will crack. Finally, she’ll turn around, sit, and look at me with anticipating eyes. No matter how much pain she’s in, she always loves the opportunity to do something fun. I look at her and can’t help but think-- what if she came from a breeder who bred responsibly? What if her parents, grandparents, and great grandparents were all fully health tested (hips, elbows, heart, eyes, etc) before breeding, and those with abnormalities were removed from the breeding population? What if her breeder cared enough about the lives she was bringing into the world to stop breeding the same two dogs after she learned they were producing unhealthy puppies? Is that too much to ask? For Faith’s breeder, apparently it is. (She’s still breeding, but unlike her, I will remain professional and not disclose her identity on this post.) However, I can only hope Faith’s story might educate other breeders and prospective puppy buyers.

How do you avoid backyard breeders? 

• All breeders should be a member of the national breed club for their individual breed. You can google the national breed club for your breed, and I actually recommend joining yourself! Ask how long the breeder has been a member, if they are active in voting on club issues, and if they are a club officer or in any club committees.
• All breeders should register their dogs with a reputable registry, such as AKC (American Kennel Club) or UKC (United Kennel Club). Furthermore, the breeder should have papers in hand when  the puppies are ready to leave for their new homes, with minimal exceptions-- I realize in some rare breeds, there may be a more complicated registration process depending on whether or not the parents were imported from a foreign country.
• Before breeding, all dogs should be fully health tested! Absolutely no exceptions! The health testing requirements for each individual breed will be listed on the national breed club’s website, or on www.ofa.org/browse-by-breed. Upon completion of health testing, the dogs are issued signed certificates from OFA. Ask to see these certificates and check that they are valid. “Vet checked before breeding” doesn’t cut it.
• A good breeder will likely have you fill out a lengthy questionnaire and want to interview you beforehand. Be very cautious of anyone who is willing to just let you pick out a puppy without asking you numerous questions beforehand about your home, your lifestyle, your job, your family, any other pets, your training experience, your experience with the breed, etc. If you feel like you are being interrogated-- that’s a good thing haha!
• A good breeder will have a very in-depth purchase contract that protects not only themselves, but you as well! In the contract, there should be at least a two-year health guarantee. This means that if the puppy develops any heritable health problems, the breeder will either refund you or offer you another puppy. The contract should also ensure that if you ever need to rehome your puppy at any point throughout their life, they come straight back to the breeder.
• Avoid breeders who breed “just for pets.” This may sound nice… after all, you’re looking for a family pet, right? However, this is the hallmark quote of a backyard breeder. They use this line to excuse the fact t they don’t actually have quality dogs. Also, any good breeder will be involved in some type of activity with their dogs (whether it be showing, working, or performance sports) to prove their dogs are of sound mind and body. And what pet owner wouldn’t want a structurally sound and temperamentally sound dog? ​