What is pet, breeding, and show quality?
While this may seem very evident, it isn’t. There are breeders who claim they produce many breeding or show prospects out of one litter or that they breed solely for companion dogs. Be wary of both. A breeder may realistically expect 10-20% of their litter to be “strong” enough to carry on their lines. A breeder who claims that you’re getting a show/breeding quality puppy at a pet price should be questioned. Of course there may be reasons for placing a show or breeding prospect in a companion home, they need to explain their reasons for doing so. A breeder who states that they breed solely for companion dogs should also be questioned. If a breeding is planned, there should be a plan to take some of those puppies further in the breeding program of the breeder. Ask the breeder you’re speaking with how they define each category, what each means to them, and how they come to the conclusion as to how each puppy fits into each category. Every breeder has their own set of criteria of what the
