Ethical Breeding Is More Than Just A Cute Feed

You know what doesn’t sit right with me?

When breeders only post perfectly staged photos—no behind-the-scenes, no puppies with littermates, no mama in sight, no messy newborn moments. Just pretty pictures and curated content.

Don’t get me wrong—cute photos are great. But they’re just that: photos.

They don’t show the late nights, the puppy curriculum, the early socialization, or the clean, in-home environment those puppies are (hopefully) being raised in.

And if a breeder never shows you the real stuff, you need to ask yourself:

What are they hiding?

This is your reminder to stop falling for polished posts with no substance.

Stop supporting breeders who stage a setup but never show the setup.

Stop backing people who throw around words like “ethical” without living it.

Instead—invest in a breeder who’s transparent. Who shows you the journey from birth to go-home day. Who proudly opens their world and puts in the work where it matters most.

Because not all breeders are ethical.

Here’s what ethical breeders DO:

• Share photos/videos of puppies with their mom and littermates

• Show the real environment puppies are raised in

• Provide newborn updates, milestones, and real-life moments

• Complete full health testing (OFA + genetic panels) on parents

• Use enrichment protocols and early curriculum

• Educate buyers and provide lifetime support

• Prioritize structure, temperament, and soundness over trends

• Are transparent, approachable, and passionate about what they do

Red Flags to Watch For:

• Only post overly staged or filtered photos

• Never show the mom, the full litter, or early stages

• Puppies kept in barns, sheds, or outdoor-only setups

• No mention (or proof) of health testing

• Avoids video calls or showing where puppies are raised

• Uses “ethical” as a buzzword with no real info

• Pushy sales tactics or vague answers

• All about color, price, and trends—never temperament or structure

At the end of the day, your future puppy deserves more than a pretty backdrop.

They deserve an intentional, loving start from someone who’s doing this for the right reasons—not just the aesthetic.

So ask questions. Pay attention.

And support breeders who don’t just say they’re ethical—they prove it.

Because when it comes to puppies, what you don’t see matters just as much as what you do.