What's a good breeder?

lucysocks

I'm been thinking of getting a puppy for awhile and have decided on a shih tzu. I've read here about the importance of avoiding puppy mills and back yard breeders especially on certain websites. But I'm confused about the difference between a "proper breeder" and a back yard breeder. Would people not recommend buying from someone who has bred a pure bred family pet for example? Even if that breeder well socialised the pups and made sure the parents were healthy?

Rommie

The only way to prove the parents are healthy is by having them healthtested and providing the results to potential new owners. These health tests are what seperate the good from the bad. Good breeders will health test their dogs and only breed those that are healthy enough to breed. These tests cost money, but they wont mind because they're breeding for the love of the breed and doing what they can to ensure they get the healthiest pups possible. Those who don't health test don't do so because it'll take away from their 'profit'. So they breed dogs regardless of health and don't care about the consequences. That's the difference to me anyway

By health tests I don't mean a vet visit. I mean genetic testing to ensure that no hereditary problems can be passed on to the puppies. In shih tzus, they need to have their eyes tested, blood tests to rule out thyroid disorders and VonWillibrands disease, and as far as I know, the hip scoring for hip dysplasia is now being done on shih tzus as well.