Backyard breeder
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The term backyard breeder is a general term used to describe people who allow their dogs to procreate regardless of physical, genetic, and/or emotional health. While this term is often reserved for "home breeders", or those who breed for fun, it has also found recognition in the description of unreputable show and working breeders. The latter two groups often focus on one aspect of the dog (such as aesthetics), while ignoring the original function and temperament of the breed. In the process of careless breeding, many backyard breeders produce genetically weak puppies that are predisposed to debilitating physical deformities.
When such breeding is carried out on a large scale, the venue is called a puppy mill (especially in North America) or puppy farm.
Backyard breeding is popularly blamed for the proliferation of aggressive dogs for the sports of baiting and dog fighting. Dog fanciers generally believe that such ill-bred dogs are the reason for the bad reputation of some breeds in the public perception, and the resulting breed-specific legislation.