I think it can become confusing because not everyone defines things in the same way. Where is the line that distinguishes them? How many litters can you breed without being a "puppy mill", or does the definition only apply to the care the dogs receive? And is someone starting out with one bitch necessarily a "backyard breeder"? Do you base your opinion on whether all dogs live in the house, or whether all dogs have this or that specific test, or what? How about "reputable" breeders who breed too close or for specific traits that may be detrimental so they can win at shows? (you see a lot of this in other breeds!) Where does that fall in the scheme of things? And is it verboten to make any money? Questions, questions…...

I can answer this. The answer is so common that it's become kind of an in joke among dog people. How many litters makes someone a puppy mill? One more than YOU breed.

@tanza:

Sorry… find that hard to accept that she/they can raise multi breeds and properly socialize them... You have your opinion, I have mine.. and in my opinion this is not a responsible breeder. So I am able to voice my opinion and hope that others will look up and down the East Coast and talk to other breeders... before deciding on a Basenji pup. I clearly have a picture on how their dogs are whelped/raised... just look at the kennel runs.. again, my opinion and I will continue to put out there my opinion.... sorry but this person is into it for the money.. since they do not do all health testing they can reduce price..... and for the rest of us that do testing... our prices are in line with the rest of the Basenji breeding community...

I am coming to this thread a bit late, but my mind boggles at the idea that you know more about someone's dogs from a continent away then an experienced dog person who is looking at those very same dogs in person. That is sheer hubris.

You sound like you have very good intentions, but you really need to figure out that in animal breeding, there are a million different shades of grey, and that there are doubtless breeders who would look at your operations and your dogs as sub par because you don't do things the way they do. Just looking at kennel runs and dismissing a breeder out of hand is very, very shallow.

As for a breeder who raises more than one breed not being able to do their dogs justice, do you want me to write a list of prominent and successful dog breeders who have had multiple breeds? The list would be very long.

Your comments are AR-lite and just one teeny step up from the rabid dog breeders who rant about puppy mills and rape racks and greeders. Every time I think the dog fancy is moving ahead in their thinking, a discussion like this comes along.