Professional Breeder

[fbkeays]

The term, "Professional breeder" is mentioned a lot. Usually used as, "Leave the breeding to the professionals". This use of the words just rubs me the wrong way. When you really look at it, Professional Breeder, really does refer to the puppy millers and high volume byb. A professional breeder makes their living by breeding.
I know that Professional has two basic meanings. One is to conduct yourself "Professionally", ie conform to certain standards of behavior. The other is to engage in an activity as a source of livelihood or as a career. I am always reminded of the second one whenever I read professional breeder here on the forums.
Is it possible to come up with a better term? One that conveys that the person is honest, ethical and breeds only dogs and bitches that conform to the standard and are proven in health and temperament?

[sophie's-mom]

Sort of off topic but kind of related:

I hate the term "REPUTABLE BREEDER"

A reputation is what others think about you.........there are PLENTY of crap breeders out there that a lot of people hold in high regards. Doesn't make them ETHICAL!

When I hear or see the term PROFESSIONAL BREEDER I also think

engage in an activity as a source of livelihood or as a career

[Patty1231]

I would prefer RESPONSIBLE BREEDER. To me, that says it all.

[Bruce Lanthier]

How about ethical breeder?

[sophie's-mom]

Originally Posted by Patty1231

I would prefer RESPONSIBLE BREEDER.

Responsible is a subjective term.

Someone that breeds two AKC registered dogs that are up to date on shots and don't have any disqualifying defects would be considered by some as responsible.

[Patty1231]

Originally Posted by sophie's-mom

Someone that breeds two AKC registered dogs that are up to date on shots and don't have any disqualifying defects would be considered by some as responsible.

I don't know if we should consider what "some" consider. Responsible is not subjective to me - you either are or you are not. Doing something responsible means doing something the way it should be done according to established parameters (ie breed club specifications).

[sophie's-mom]

Breed clubs do NOT require a dog to be titled to breed.

[ladycricket]

How about educated breeder? Well that may imply the need for a degree.
Principled breeder
conscientious breeder
honorable breeder

[trackermom]

What if we reffered to them as COE (code of ethics) Breeders?

[Patty1231]

Originally Posted by sophie's-mom

Breed clubs do NOT require a dog to be titled to breed.

Well, they should. How about if we call them "a breeder we thoroughly investigated ahead of time to be sure they were titling their dogs, showing and working their dogs, selecting only the best matches for their breeding practices, obtaining full health clearances, yadayada yada".

[sophie's-mom]

Yes, in a perfect world, Patty, in a perfect world!!!

[Patty1231]

Originally Posted by sophie's-mom

Yes, in a perfect world, Patty, in a perfect world!!!

Exactly! That's why there probably is no answer to this question.

[dmoniz]

I like Ethical Breeder

[spidey]

Thank you fbkeays, I feel the same way about the use of the word professional in this context.

I also don't like the implication that only people who are already breeders can ever be good breeders which is often inherent in comments here. Every single breeder out there was new once, every single breeder bred their first litter. Yes, there are definitely ways to go about finding a breeder to mentor you, and lots of homework and learning to do, and all that sort of thing before actually breeding, but I think sometimes we could be more helpful by giving people information on how to go about being an ethical breeder, rather than just telling them not to even think about it.

[Patty1231]

Originally Posted by spidey

, but I think sometimes we could be more helpful by giving people information on how to go about being an ethical breeder, rather than just telling them not to even think about it.

I second that! I believe most people who are considering breeding are not educated (I was among that group at one time). Once they find out what all is involved to breed responsibly, I think the majority would decide against it (this is the group I ended up in ). The remaining, would find themselves gathering more and more information and becoming more and more involved with the breed before undertaking the task. Without education and involvement, the BYB's will only increase in number (for all breeds, not just the rottweiler).