Breeder categories
First and foremost, it is important to understand that just like puppies, not all breeders are created equally. Breeders/resellers fall into 4 main categories:
Conservation or preservation breeders’ our approach to breeding dogs’ stems from a passion and love for dogs. Corners are not cut, and pennies are not pinched when it comes to care, attention, or nutrition. The physical wellbeing and mental health of our Pomeranians comes first!
Spacious living spaces are provided, lots of outdoor time, walks, playtime, and a safe sleeping space are a given. Frequent brushing, washing, nail trimming etc are of course also provided.
All breedings are done rationally and with the sole purpose of improving the breed according to the breed standard and careful care and consideration are taken when pairing 2 dogs with one another. Years of experience, research and testing are employed to ensure genetic diversity and dogs that are sound of mind and structure. In short, ensuring that every ingredient that makes a Pomeranian a Pomeranian are there!
Hobby or Backyard breeding usually also stem for a love for their dogs, however their approach to breeding tends to be more emotional than rational. Often you will hear things like “it would be nice for my girl to have babies”, or “she got pregnant by mistake” (this mistake can happen more than once…). Often one parent or both parents will not have pedigrees and 90% of the time the puppies won’t have a pedigree either.
Usually, their breeding dogs also come from a similar background, with no health checks and no health history. A true shot in the dark when it comes to character and health.
Breeding is done to “have puppies” “because it is nice” rather than any actual purpose of improving the breed. These puppies are generally raised without any knowledge of the correct socialisation protocols which can leave a lasting negative impression on the puppy. For example, fears of loud noises, cars, being groomed, other dogs, children etc.
Puppy mills, operations dedicated to producing many different breeds of dogs en masse for profit. Usually with horrific living conditions and no consideration whatsoever for the dog’s wellbeing. Need I say more?
Resellers, in my opinion almost worse than puppy mills. Someone who proudly announces they buy dogs from different countries (usually in bulk but they don’t mention that part) to resell for a price which is just as high, if not HIGHER than a preservation breeder.
