Ethical Breeder vs Backyard Breeder: What’s the Difference?
When looking for a puppy, you’ve probably come across the term “backyard breeder.” Some people believe this refers to breeders who literally raise puppies in their backyard—but that’s not what it means at all. The term “backyard breeder” refers to those who breed dogs without proper knowledge, health testing, or regard for responsible breeding practices. On the other hand, an ethical breeder is dedicated to preserving and improving the breed, ensuring the health, temperament, and well-being of their dogs and puppies.
So how do you tell the difference?
1. Health Testing & Genetic Screening
Ethical breeders invest in extensive health testing to ensure their dogs are free from hereditary diseases common to the breed. We follow the OFA CHIC guidelines for our breed. This means testing for things like hip and elbow dysplasia, genetic disorders, and other conditions that could be passed down to puppies. They use responsible breeding pairs to improve the breed and reduce health risks.
Backyard breeders, on the other hand, often skip health testing entirely or may claim their dogs are "healthy" without any real evidence. They may breed dogs without checking for underlying issues, which can lead to puppies developing serious health conditions later in life.
✅ Ask to see health test results! Ethical breeders will happily share them.
2. Breeding for Quality, Not Just Profit
Ethical breeders have a purpose behind their breeding program—whether it’s preserving breed standards, improving temperament, or producing exceptional working or companion dogs. They plan each litter carefully, ensuring that both parents complement each other in health, temperament, and structure.
Backyard breeders often breed purely for profit, without much thought about improving the breed. They may breed dogs too frequently, without proper recovery time for the mother, or pair dogs without considering genetics or temperament. 100% of dogs in shelters come from a BACKYARD BREEDER or PUPPY MILL.
✅ Look for breeders who breed selectively and have clear goals for their program.
3. Socialization & Puppy Raising
Puppy socialization is critical in the early weeks of life, shaping how a dog behaves in the future. Ethical breeders expose their puppies to various sights, sounds, people, and experiences to build their confidence. They follow structured socialization programs like ENS (Early Neurological Stimulation), introduce puppies to household noises, and may even begin basic training before sending them home.
Backyard breeders often provide little to no socialization, leaving puppies in isolated areas with minimal human interaction. These puppies may grow up fearful, anxious, or poorly adjusted to everyday life.
✅ Ask about how puppies are raised! Ethical breeders should have a structured socialization plan.
4. Contracts, Support, and Guarantees
A responsible breeder is committed to their puppies for life. They provide:
A written contract outlining responsibilities for both the breeder and the buyer
Health guarantees to protect against genetic conditions
A return policy to ensure no puppy ends up in a shelter
Ongoing support for training, health, and care questions
Backyard breeders usually offer no contract, no health guarantees, and no support. Once you take the puppy home, you’re on your own.
✅ An ethical breeder will always stand by their puppies and be a resource for you.
5. Where the Puppies Are Sold
Ethical breeders carefully screen potential owners, ensuring their puppies go to responsible, loving homes. They often have a puppy application process and may have a waitlist for upcoming litters.
Backyard breeders will often sell puppies to anyone with cash, sometimes through pet stores, Craigslist, or other quick-sale platforms, without caring where the puppy ends up.
✅ A responsible breeder will take the time to match you with the right puppy, not just sell to the first buyer.
🚨 Red Flags to Look Out for in a Breeder
If you see these warning signs, reconsider where you’re getting your puppy:
❌ No health testing – If a breeder can't provide proof of health testing, the puppies could be at risk for genetic conditions.
❌ Frequent litters with no breaks – Overbreeding is a sign of profit-driven, irresponsible breeding.
❌ Puppies always available – Ethical breeders have waitlists and plan litters carefully, not just to meet demand.
❌ No contract or guarantees – A reputable breeder will have a contract outlining responsibilities and a health guarantee.
❌ Pushy sales tactics – Ethical breeders care about proper placement, not making a quick sale.
❌ Won’t allow you to visit or see the parents – Transparency is key! You should be able to meet the puppies and their parents in a clean, caring environment.
❌ Selling through pet stores or online ads – Ethical breeders screen owners carefully instead of selling to just anyone.
❌ Backyard Marketing Terms – Backyard breeders tend to mislead buyers by marketing their puppies as something they are not. Be wary of terms like:
"Designer breed"
"Hypoallergenic doodle"
"English Cream Golden Retriever" (a marketing term for a lighter-colored Golden Retriever, not a separate breed)
Made-up breeds such as "Goberian Shepherd" (a supposed Golden Retriever/German Shepherd mix) or other designer mixes.
❌ Breeding mixed breeds or doodles – Any breeder who intentionally crosses different breeds (such as doodles, cavapoos, or Pomskies) is a backyard breeder, not an ethical breeder. True breed preservationists work to maintain and improve established breeds, not create hybrids for profit.
❌ Breeding out-of-standard dogs – Ethical breeders follow the breed standard set by official kennel clubs. Avoid breeders producing unrecognized, non-standard variations such as:
Fluffy French Bulldogs (long-haired, often bred for profit at the cost of health)
Merle Poodles (merle is not a natural Poodle color and is introduced through unethical crossbreeding)
Panda Shepherds (a coat pattern introduced by a random mutation, not a recognized variation in the German Shepherd breed)
❌ Does not prove their breeding dogs in show or sport – Responsible breeders demonstrate that their dogs meet breed standards through conformation shows, performance sports, or working trials. This ensures the dogs are not only structurally correct but also have the correct temperament and drive for the breed. A breeder who does not prove their dogs may not be breeding to improve the breed.
❌ Breeder is not willing to share pedigrees or proof of health testing – Pedigrees and health testing results should always be public, even if you are not inquiring to buy. Ethical breeders are transparent about their dogs' lineage and health to ensure responsible breeding practices. If a breeder refuses to share these, it’s a major red flag.
❌ Too many breeding dogs – A breeder with five or more breeding dogs could be a red flag if they are not properly managed, but if you see a breeder with more than 10 breeding dogs, this is a major red flag. Large-scale operations often indicate high-volume breeding, which can mean less individualized care, overbreeding, and puppies being treated more as products than family companions.
✅ Green Flags to Look For in a Breeder
A responsible breeder will show these signs of ethical breeding practices:
✔ Health-tested parents – Health testing goes beyond just a genetic panel from Embark or Wisdom Panel. Ethical breeders follow the OFA CHIC guidelines for their breed and often go beyond what is required to ensure the long-term health of their dogs. Only providing a genetic panel is not enough—true health testing includes screenings for hips, elbows, heart, eyes, and other breed-specific conditions.
✔ Breeds according to the breed standard and prioritizes preservation – Ethical breeders are dedicated to maintaining the integrity of their breed, avoiding non-standard colors, coat types, or traits that compromise the health and structure of the dog. They work to improve the breed, not change it for trends or profit.
✔ Proves their dogs in show and sport – Responsible breeders demonstrate that their dogs meet breed standards by competing in conformation shows, performance sports, or working trials. This ensures their breeding dogs are structurally sound, mentally stable, and have the correct temperament for the breed.
✔ Limited, well-planned litters – Ethical breeders carefully plan each litter with a purpose, ensuring responsible pairings and proper care for the mother and puppies. They do not breed back-to-back or have constant litters available.
✔ Puppies raised in a home environment – Puppies are raised in a hands-on, enriching setting where they are exposed to normal household sounds, different surfaces, early training, and structured socialization programs like ENS (Early Neurological Stimulation).
✔ Thorough screening process – Ethical breeders don’t just sell to anyone with cash. They have a puppy application process, ask about your lifestyle, and work to match you with the right puppy based on temperament and fit.
✔ Lifelong breeder support – A responsible breeder remains available for guidance throughout the dog’s life, offering training advice, health recommendations, and support for any concerns.
✔ Transparency and access to parent dog information – Ethical breeders make parent dog information public and easy to access. They are willing to share pedigrees, health testing records, and titles to prove their dogs are quality representatives of the breed. If a breeder hesitates or refuses to provide proof, that’s a red flag.
✔ Allows visits or video calls – Ethical breeders welcome potential buyers to meet the puppies and parents in person (or via video call if travel isn’t possible) to ensure transparency and responsible breeding conditions.
Why It Matters
Choosing between an ethical breeder and a backyard breeder doesn’t just impact you—it affects the health of the puppy, the welfare of the parent dogs, the shelter population, and the future of the breed itself. Supporting ethical breeding ensures that puppies are healthy, well-adjusted, and responsibly bred, while discouraging irresponsible breeding practices that contribute to health and behavioral issues.
If you’re looking for a well-bred, well-socialized, and ethically raised White Swiss Shepherd, take the time to do your research, ask questions, and choose a breeder who truly cares about their dogs.
At Ivory Arch Shepherds, we are committed to breeding healthy, well-balanced, and properly socialized White Swiss Shepherds. If you're interested in bringing one of our puppies into your home, check out our Puppy Application Page to learn more!
