No, they should not. I'd classify this one as a puppy mill and go elsewhere.

"Don't leave the premises without the appropriate documentation of the dog's pedigree, a.k.a. "papers." The words "American Kennel Club" as well as the AKC logo should be clearly visible. You'll need to send in this application form to register your dog with the AKC. Be wary of a breeder who refuses/hesitates to give you papers, wants to charge you more for AKC papers, offers papers from a registry other than the AKC, or tells you he/she will mail them to you at a later date. "

Here is a link that might be useful: AKC, Responsible breeder

On the same note, a good breeder may demand that you promise not to breed your puppy. There may be a spay/neuter contract. It is a good thing. Breeders should only be breeding for the betterment of the breed. From an AKC point of view, there are some dogs that have flaws and should not be bred. Given the great expense that breeders go to with vet bills and stud fees, I can't imagine that responsible breeders make all that much money. If I were looking for a pure bred puppy, I would make sure that the owners actually show (or work) their dogs and were primarily breeding them for their own personal pick.
At one point, I was encouraged by a trainer to breed my dog (great temperment and very smart), but in the end, I didn't as she was too tall for the standard and her coloring was wrong for the ring. Great dog, but not a great example of her breed.

Jo

Honestly, AKC papers are no guarantee of quality, but rather just a record-keeping device. That said, people who eschew AKC papers entirely or use one of the (truly bogus) other so-called registries are probably already in trouble with the AKC. That's a major warning sign of a puppy mill, altho many puppy mills maintain good records, but are still sleazes.

As far as faults or health-related concerns, the AKC stays clear. It's a stud book, really. The breed clubs are the ones who try to maintain order in the universe with health screening and important medical research. My friends with Scotties, for example, have a DNA test for a common problem that shows up in their breed. So my friend will test all puppies in the litter, spay or neuter any affected dogs and know which others are carriers or clear.

We were going to breed Sushi just a few weeks ago, had the surgical AI scheduled for Saturday afternoon, based on her progesterone levels, and the frozen semen had arrived on Friday, when I got a call from the stud dog owner. The dog's dam and a littermate of hers had just been diagnosed (at 7-1/2 yrs of age) with an eye condition that we know is hereditary (because it only happens in Goldens) but we don't know more about it, mode of inheritance, etc. It's a form of glaucoma, and can be very bad.

We (our breed club) are funding research for DNA tests, but that's all we have. The stud dog owner, the breeder of the stud dog, all related dogs, have all been taken off the market, so to say, for future breeding, until we know more, should that happen within these dogs' lifetimes.

As far as making money? I'm out about $1000 in progesterone testing plus expenses for the frozen semen, and would be out more if the dog owner weren't so responsible. Last litter of three pups, I probably lost several thousand dollars. The litter before that, I made about enough to pay for dog food for a year for three dogs, after all expenses.

A good hobby-breeder doesn't count on making money, and understands that she will probably lose money, but just wants a great puppy to keep from the litter. If you make money one year, you'll probably lose twice that much next year.

A good hobby breeder should use sound business practices, but it is still a hobby. If you come across any breeder who is in it as a business, then the dogs will (with maybe very rare exceptions) be a second thought, a commodity.

OK, off my soap box for tonight.....

We have a collie from one of the top breeders in the country. We waited months for her to get a "pet quality" female that was the color that we wanted. The only difference in our dog and a "show quality" is that "show quality" sable collies must have brown eyes. Our dog's mother was a blue merle (blue eyes), and she is a sable with one brown eye and one eye that is half blue, and therefore could not be shown. Our breeder had already had several veterinary health checks done on our dog when we got her, and she sent those records to us along with her AKC papers and her "family tree" :) I'm sure our dog may have been less expensive than a "show quality", but she was still quite pricey ($900 plus shipping). Our breeder would only sell us a "pet quality" dog because we did not intend to breed or show, and she has a long waiting list of people wanting her dogs for breeding and show purposes, and needs good homes for the ones that she is unable to sell for show dogs.

Our breeder was recommended to us by a lady here in town that has had and bred collies for 54 years. She recommended this breeder because the breeder breeds for consistent personalities and good health. I spent a lot of time talking to the breeder and researching her, and her dogs, on the internet. My vet also bred collies and was familiar with her and had one of her dogs. I spent a couple of months researching the breeder before we got on her waiting list.

My mother has a maltese that she got from the sister of a friend that had a male and female, and decided to start breeding them. The woman had been breeding them for several years, but was not really a professional (even though she has papers). She was just a "dog-lover" that bought two registered dogs and sells their offspring. My mom has had lots of health issues with her dog. And, the problems she has are the same problems that people are having that bought other puppies from this woman. The vet says they are all genetic, and the woman has continued to breed. She charges over $500 for each of her puppies, so she is probably making a profit.

But I agree, most good breeders probably aren't making any money.... costs too much to certify their health, go to shows, feed, groom, and just breed them. Also, I have no problem with paying hundreds for my pets because as my DH says "If you can't afford whatever they are charging to buy the pet, you certainly can't afford ownership." That $900 was a drop in the bucket compared to what I have spent on toys, food, grooming, vet bill, pet sitters, etc. I'm beginning to think my kid's college tuition will look cheap compared to this dog! But she's worth every penny of what I spend on her.

Linda you got good advise above. Also a quality breeder will sell puppies with a "limited registration". That means you can not register puppies from said female/male. It is a way to control in addition to a spay/neuter contract that you will not breed.

Run, don't walk, away from any breeder differentiating "papers" and "no papers."

Google "Toy Poodle Club of (your state)" and contact the breeder referral they provide. That doesn't guarantee you a reputable breeder, but it's a start. I'd also recommend going to dog shows in your area and seeking out breeders that way.

If you'll consider a rescue, there are purebred rescue organizations for most breeds in most states.

What was said above. I will not start on my rant about the AKC. I will say they are just a registery of dogs. Even puppy mill dogs. Generally the dogs are "purebred".

Linda, have you thought of scouring the shelters both in Iowa and Illinois? Or listing with a rescue group if a young one comes in to them?

I have a deposit on a puppy from a "mom breeder" who raises her dogs for obedience and companion dogs. she currently has 2 females and a male.
But I really wondered about the one who offered 2 prices....one with papers and one without....same dog..AND the dog was 4 months old....

I think you have the right breeder. Thanks for posting this, because it allows us to spread the 'word' so to speak!

And I'm still voting for "Latte"!