My first boxer, came from what most would call a BYB. (At the time, I thought a breeder was a breeder had never heard the term BYB)
Her name was Dixie Diana. She was undoubtly the best dog I ever owned. Or I should say ever owned me. Unfortunately, she did have a lot of health issues. She had cancer twice in her short 7 years of life. Lymphoma took her on April 26, 2006. There isn't a day that passes that I don't think of her and miss her.
If I could go back in time to the day I bought her...I would do it all over again.
Then came Brittany a few months later...she will soon be 9 years old. Another BYB yet another wonderful dog. Not that I am promoting BYB's...just happened my first two came from them.
Then came Dixie Rose. Long line of CH.... Breeder recommended.
I found out, that just because a dog comes from a long line of CH and a recommended breeder doesn't always mean you are getting a problem free dog.
Dixie Rose has been impossible to train. She is like a child with A.D.D.
She can't concentrate long enough to learn. She flunked out of Obedience training. She is two years old and had been impossible to housebreak. She is super thin because she is so hyper that she can't seem to gain weight. The Vet said she is literally burning up every calorie she takes in because she is wide open all the time.
The Vet said she is very lucky that we are her family because most people would not keep a dog that turned out like Dixie Rose, because of all her problems she would be considered unplaceable in a shelter situation and would most likely be put down.
She can't help it that she can't concentrate and is do distracted....we love her the way she is.
This time, with Izzy there were a lot of factors for me.
I wanted a dark brindle/reverse brindle.
Had to be female.
Had to be very comfortable with the breeder. I wanted to deal with someone that I felt was being honest and open and truly loved his/her own dogs. Wasn't just in it for the money factor, but for the love of the breed.
I looked for a long time before deciding on Izzy's breeder and on Izzy of course.
I had talked to, written to, a number of breeder's. I took in consideration the breeder's responses to questions, and the comfort factor with the breeder.
I paid more for Izzy than what I could have gotten a puppy for from many other breeders, but I just felt I had found the right combination of breeder, parents and puppies.