This list aims to explain that there are also differences among “family” breeders with dogs of good pedigree. Each person has their own requirements they consider important, as well as a budget. As long as the price–quality ratio is fair and there is no deceit, any option can be acceptable if you know what you are buying and if the price matches the quality. Because there are those who sell at the price of an elite breeder, when the quality of their work falls far below that category.

A – A breeder with a recognized track record, who has produced an important number of champions. With years of experience, deep knowledge of the breed, bloodlines, and genetics. They don’t just perform the minimum health tests, but also others that may be less essential but help them in their ultimate goal: to improve the breed and leave a positive legacy with their work. They have a reliable and consolidated bloodline. They study each mating in depth; usually they keep great males at home, but don’t hesitate to travel thousands of kilometers or import frozen semen from the other side of the world if they believe it is the best possible combination. They don’t live off their dogs, they have another job and the dogs are their passion, keeping breeding as a joy rather than a necessity. They attend some dog shows in their country and abroad, especially the important ones for the breed with prestigious specialist judges. They contribute greatly to the breed.

B – A breeder with less of a track record, either because they have been breeding for less time or haven’t achieved major results yet. Perhaps they have bred a champion or two. They have a clear intention to learn and improve, with the goal of one day making a strong contribution to the breed. Very dedicated, they are discovering what they want to achieve and how to get there, trying different bloodlines and combinations. They often make original matings, seeking novelty, less-known or rarely used lines to build their base. They may still make mistakes, but they learn from them. Generally, they also don’t live off their dogs. They attend many national shows with any judge, since they need to build up experience and accumulate small wins. They contribute to the breed.

C – A breeder without extensive studies or knowledge, with evident shortcomings in interpreting the standard or understanding history, bloodlines, and genetics. They often don’t know which health tests are most important and why. They may have good intentions, but still have a long way to go. They usually buy dogs from well-known breeders and cross them with each other, thinking perhaps that producing quality specimens is that simple. Their matings are often with famous males, without much concern for compatibility with their bitches, going instead for the “dog of the moment” or one with many titles. Their puppies are easy to sell, since they come from good pedigrees from established breeders, but that doesn’t mean the breeding itself is of quality. We could say they are not yet on the right path, because they haven’t understood the effort and knowledge that breeding truly requires. They attend nearby shows, without much regard for the type of show or judge, since their motivation is mainly participation and socializing. They don’t contribute to the breed, but they don’t harm it either.

D – The opportunistic breeder, who buys dogs from good breeders and then sells puppies while boasting of the bloodlines and the work of others, and, of course, charging as much as the top breeders, even though they have no intention of learning or improving. They like dogs and the breed, but not enough to work for it, instead, it’s about making some profit. They may do health tests only halfway, not renew eye exams, or present certificates signed by their vet rather than official committees. Their matings are chosen so as not to bring much expense or effort; they might use a dog in the family with a decent pedigree, or perhaps one male they purchased and then use on all their bitches. They rarely attend dog shows. They harm the breed.

E – The casual breeder, who doesn’t do any testing at all. Their litter is well cared for at home, but they have no knowledge of the breed or genetics. So, no matter how much love they give the puppies or how cheaply they sell them to friends or on classified websites, those puppies are a genetic roulette. They damage the breed quite a bit.

F – The puppy farm disguised as a family breeder. Here we find someone who doesn’t have quality dogs, perhaps imported from Eastern countries or of unknown bloodlines. They have a large number of dogs, with one or two males that are bred to their 30 bitches without rest between heats. The dogs may not live in kennels, but they’re kept in enclosures or storage buildings attached to the house. They always have 2 or 3 litters available for sale, but this industrial-scale production is disguised with a “family-style” website, very polished marketing, and surprisingly a legion (real or not) of fans and admirers leaving glowing reviews everywhere. This person does live off their dogs, and makes a lot of money. They don’t attend dog shows, and in fact they criticize them. They harm the breed greatly.

Beyond these, we find multi-breed breeders, pet shops, large-scale operations, online sales, importers, but that’s another world altogether.