Hum, which was more eye-catching? The use of a Frenchie pup photo or the title of the newspaper article? Our local paper, The Austin American-Statesman ran an article this week titled, “If you’re set on a purebred dog, choose a reputable breeder.”
Unlike many articles dealing with the hot topic of getting a purebred puppy, this one is well-balanced and outlines the difference between types of breeders, and doesn’t resort to lumping all breeders into the “bad” category. The article gives the excellent advice that if you must have a purebred puppy, do your homework and get one from a reputable breeder. It also gives general instructions how to go about it and how to identify the characteristics of a reputable breeder, along with info about the option of rescue adoption.
Kudos to the Statesman for publishing this information and recognizing there really is a difference between getting a pup from someone who’s an advocate for their breed vs. someone who’s simply breeding to make a buck.
Need to point out, while the article mentions finding a breeder who is a member of the American Kennel Club (AKC), only national parent or kennel clubs can be members. AKC’s founding purpose is to keep a registry or studbook up-to-date and accurate on all dogs registered with them. This allows tracing a dog’s lineage, and now with the use of DNA on file, even performing DNA-testing to verify parents. An AKC pedigree simply means the dog and ancestors have been registered in their studbook. A UKC pedigree means the parents are registered in the UKC studbook. Swap out the acronym for other registries, and you’ve got this figured out.
Breeders can be members of local kennel clubs, and regional and national breed clubs. Breeders who show in conformation or compete in obedience or agility, do so at events organized under the guidance of the AKC, UKC, or other clubs with acronymed names. 
One of the main reasons people choose a purebred dog is the ability, and expectation, of predicting behavior, appearance, and temperament of the adult dog. When these expectations aren’t met due to poor breeding, the way the pup was raised, or a poor choice of breed by the owner, then the future of these dogs can include a shelter. If the dog-seeker encounters a reputable breeder, they will be educated and guided as to whether the breed is a good fit for their lifestyle. This makes for a more successful choice of a furry friend and less chance of abandonment or ending up in a shelter for the dog. What many folks overlook, is that reputable breeders assist with the prevention of shelter dogs by educating about their breed, carefully matching pups to families, and insisting pups be spayed or neutered. Now you are looking at a successfully placed pup in a happy home, with no chance of “oopsie” puppies with the neighbor dog later. Add in the bonus that most reputable breeders remain in contact with owners, working as a source of information about the health and well-being of their pup, further ensuring successful dog ownership and keeping dogs out of shelters. A win-win-win for all!
