Cheap Puppies & Unvetted Breeders: The Truth No One Wants to Hear

I’ve been doing this for 30 years—three full decades of selecting dogs, raising puppies, learning genetics, studying temperaments, and thinking I was making the right pick every single time. With all that experience, you’d imagine I could spot a good dog from a mile away, right?

Well… no. Not always. And that’s exactly the point of this post.

Even with my background, I have still brought home dogs who had personality quirks, resource-guarding tendencies, poop-eating issues, anxiety traits, and more. Some dogs have simply not been what they initially appeared to be. And if someone like me—someone who lives and breathes dogs every single day—can still get it wrong, what does that mean for the average pet owner?

It means this: Vetting your breeder isn’t optional. It’s essential.

Cheap Puppies Come From Somewhere—and Usually Not Somewhere Good

Let’s talk facts, not feelings.

A crap ton of breeders who swear they’re “not doing it for the money” are absolutely doing it for the money. And when money is the priority, ethics usually take the back seat. These breeders will breed:

• Dogs that shouldn’t be bred

• Pairings they know don’t complement each other

• Dogs with unknown or concerning health histories

• Dogs with behavior problems

• Dogs that are “cute,” but genetically questionable

And who pays for that? You do. Sometimes for years.

From surprise vet bills to lifelong temperament struggles, the upfront “cheap price” quickly becomes irrelevant when you’re dealing with medical conditions, anxiety, reactivity, or structural issues that could have been avoided with responsible breeding.

Even Experienced Breeders Can Be Fooled

As a breeder myself, I carefully select pairings that complement each other. I study bloodlines, structure, genetics, and temperaments. I choose dogs to breed based on long-term goals, not convenience or cuteness.

But as a pet owner? I still get blindsided sometimes.

Because dogs are individuals. And because people selling dogs don’t always tell the full truth, sometimes because they don’t know the truth about their own breeding program.

That’s why responsible breeders obsess over:

• Temperaments

• Health testing

• Generational history

• Consistency in the line

• How each parent complements the other

Not because we’re picky…But because we’ve seen what happens when you cut corners.

“Why Didn’t You Keep That Puppy? He’s Perfect!”

A real-life story.

Recently, my significant other was upset that I didn't keep a puppy back from one of my own litters.

To him, the puppy was perfect—adorable, sweet, and everything a family would want. But the puppy didn’t meet my strict breeding requirements. And no, that has nothing to do with beauty or personality.

When you’re breeding ethically, you don’t keep puppies because they’re cute. You keep puppies because they strengthen your program. You keep puppies because they move your line forward. You keep puppies because they meet the long-term goals: health, structure, temperament, and genetic soundness.

A perfect pet is not always a breeding-quality dog. And that distinction is exactly what bad breeders ignore.

Pet Owners Deserve Better—And That Starts with Choosing Better

If you’re buying a puppy, ask yourself:

• Does this breeder know their lines?

• Can they explain why they paired these two dogs?

• Are the parents fully health tested (not just DNA tested)?

• Do they decline certain pairings even when money is involved?

• Do they place dogs as pets because they don’t meet breeding standards—not because they “didn’t sell”?

• Do they talk openly about temperament, not just colors and price?

Quality breeders aren’t trying to upsell you. They’re trying to protect the breed, protect the puppies, and protect YOU as a future pet owner.

Buying Cheap Will Cost You More—Emotionally, Mentally, and Financially

When you buy from an unvetted breeder, here’s the reality you’re gambling with:

• Lifelong medical bills

• Severe behavior issues

• Anxiety or reactivity

• Aggression tendencies

• Poor structure leading to arthritis or mobility issues

• Unpredictable temperaments

• No support after the sale

Meanwhile, a responsible breeder invests in:✔ Genetic testing✔ OFA/CHIC certifications✔ Socialization✔ Early neurological stimulation✔ Quality nutrition✔ Clean and safe environments✔ Evaluating puppies properly✔ Lifetime support and honesty

This is why their puppies cost more. This is why their programs are respected. This is why you get what you pay for.

Final Thoughts: You Can’t Afford to Buy a Cheap Puppy

You might save a few hundred dollars upfront. But you can lose thousands later. You can lose peace of mind. You can lose years of joy because the dog you bought wasn’t set up for success from the beginning.

So take it from someone with 30 years of experience, someone who has made the mistakes both as a breeder and a dog owner:

Don’t shop for a deal. Shop for integrity. Don’t choose “cute.” Choose consistent. Don’t gamble with your heart. Choose a breeder who actually cares.