<div>I have been a member of the drool for several months now (and love it), but find myself confused at times about distinctions regarding certain terms used (not in the drool dictionary). I am not a breeder, just a slave to two fabulous multiply-pre-owned (rescued?) hounds. What I thought I'd try to do is outline what I think I've figured out or surmised from various posts, and then ask for help correcting the errors in my understanding and filling in the blanks. </div> <div> </div> <div>The terms I'm looking at are "responsible breeder", "irresponsible breeder", "hobby breeder", "backyard breeder", "puppy mill", "rescue" vs. "so-called rescue".</div> <div>Here goes my attempt--</div> <div> Responsible breeder:</div> <div> 1. Breeds hounds with specific attention to health/eliminating any genetic problems; promoting excellent temperament; and adhering to breed standards of the country's kennel club.
(Is this the "goal" referred to in some posts or are there other, more specific goals?)</div> <div> 2. Does not breed any one bitch often or many times total.</div> <div> 3. Keeps good living conditions for the hounds; warm shelter, good food, good healthcare, good socialization, exercise, and lots of love.</div> <div> 4. Probably shows dogs and has champion status in the breeding lines</div> <div> 5. Is affiliated with some sort of breeder's association</div> <div> 6. Carefully screens potential adopters of puppies and guarantees to take back puppies that don't work out for any reason.</div> <div> An irresponsible breeder:</div> <div> Is one who fails on any one of 1,2,3,(4),or 6?</div> <div> A hobby breeder:</div> <div> I have no idea what this means.</div> <div> A backyard
breeder:</div> <div> I don't really know what this means, either, though I suspect it means someone who fails on two or more of the above, possibly someone who has a single pair of hounds not of particularly distinguished lineage? Is there such a thing as a frontyard breeder?</div> <div> A puppy mill:</div> <div> Someone who probably fails on all six of the above and sells through pet stores to boot?</div> <div> On the rescue score, </div> <div> A basset rescue is a volunteer-run organization which</div> <div> a. Takes pre-owned hounds who have become homeless for one reason or another</div> <div> b. Takes care of their veterinary needs</div> <div> c. Places the hounds in individual foster homes where they are loved, sheltered, fed and cared for like members of the foster family</div> <div> d. Carefully screens potential adopters, and adopts out the
hounds to qualified homes</div> <div> e. Takes back the hounds if there are any problems after the adoption</div> <div> f. Is probably affiliated with some kind of national organization</div> <div>A "so-called" rescue:</div> <div> Calls itself a "rescue" but fails on b., c.,d., e., or f. ?</div> <div> </div> <div>How close is all of this? What am I missing or have I misunderstood?</div> <div> </div> <div>Have a wonderful time to all who are Waddle bound--wish we could come, and drool to all in need. Thanks also to all who have posted basset pictures. Another time, perhaps someone could tell me how to post a picture on the Internet? Snooters. Val, Beauregard, and Harley </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div><p> 
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