There are many reasons to go to a registered breeder for a new family member rather than a BYB, the most important being is you really have no idea what you are getting from a BYB!

Having said that, not all registered breeders are responsible and ethical, whether they are responsible and ethical breeders will be your decision so you need to do your research!

To read what I think is a wonderful and very good description of a breeder click here!

Now that you have read what a good breeder is all about I will give you some reasons a BYB will have a litter of puppies:

• MONEY, MONEY, MONEY
  
• I get told all the time that my dog/bitch is really nice looking
• I think all animals should have a litter of puppies before being sterilised, it settles them down
• Its good for the kids to see mother nature at work

This is a very condensed list but covers the main reasons and very different from the breeder description.

This link also details the differences between a breeder and a BYB very well, click here!

A registered, responsible and ethical breeder is someone who will, when contacted about a puppy, do some or all of the following:

• Make you feel like you are in the Spanish Inquisition when you contact them
• Doesn't take deposits before the puppies are born
  
• May ask you to fill out a questionnaire prior to going into detail about the puppy to see if you are suitable parents on the basics
• If you pass the questionnaire they will speak/email you numerous times prior to you coming to visit with the puppy with updates and/or pictures
  
• Will insist that puppies are sold on sterilisation contracts and put on the Limited Register (which means you are not able to have registered puppies from that dog)
• Contracts will generally also stipulate that the puppy cannot given away or sold but must be given back to the breeder, as they are the most qualified to re-home a puppy if needed
• Will provide a very detailed puppy pack including pedigree information, a puppy pack with feeding directions and general what to do and what not to do's,  decent amount of food, worming tablets, vaccination certificates and any other sundry items such as a blanket they slept on or pictures
• They will contact you on a regular basis to check in to see how the puppy is settling in

A breeder will always want to know how your dog is doing and will be available for a chat or advice for the life of your dog.  

When choosing a breeder you should make sure you are very comfortable with the breeder and not feel pressured or that you are being an inconvenience.  You may be a little put off at first if you do get the 20 questions from the breeder but this means they care where their puppies go.  If you call and they tell you the price and you can come and get the puppy now without any question, well that's a BYB in my opinion, whether they are registered breeders or not!

I have said in the past "I know you are going to love my puppies but you better make sure you like me too!" :)