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If one goes with a reputable breeder, one has no need for papers. In fact, I'd be a lot more inclined to trust a breeder who had dispensed with the whole papers scam. But how many people know how to identify a "reputable" breeder? The people who traffic in puppy mill dogs put on big charades to look like "reputable" breeders. They keep an adult female on hand (temporarily at least), of the breeds they traffic in, and tell buyers "see, this here is the mom, she's our family pet, and the puppies were born right here".

My boss and his wife went to a private home to buy an advertised Maltese puppy, with papers (for over a$1000). Got there, saw a nice upper middle class suburban home, and what appeared to be a mama Maltese, presented as a family pet, with several puppies. They bought one, and a couple of days later decided they wanted another one; called the "breeder" and were told there was still another puppy available. They couldn't get back to the "breeder" until the following weekend -- at which time there was no trace of any Maltese in the house, but amazingly there were Yorkie pups (but no sign of a Yorkie mother this time).

Unless you've been personal friends with a "breeder" for several years, or are able to do some serious research on the handful of serious breeders of a breed you want, and then pay to travel to get the puppy or have it shipped, because it won't be nearby, then you're just guessing when you decide a breeder is "reputable".

>If one goes with a reputable breeder, one has no need for papers. In fact, I'd be a lot more inclined to trust a breeder who had dispensed with the whole papers scam. But how many people know how to identify a "reputable" breeder?<

Not meaning to be offensive, but by your statement above, you have not the first clue as to what constitutes a "responsible breeder". No breeder worth his or her salt would breed without a registry such as the United Kennel Club or the American Kennel Club. There are registries for individual breeds (Border Collies come to mind).

In previous posts, you have outlined the weaknesses of registries. Like anything in life, it's possible for a dishonest or ignorant person to misuse such a tool. However, misuse of the registration process automatically labels that person as the opposite of the responsible breeder.

Responsible breeders do not stop at registering their dogs. They screen breeding stock for health, and more importantly, for temperament, not to mention using stock that possesses the physical characteristics for that breed. A responsible breeder would not breed a white Boxer (because it would probably be deaf, or would produce deaf pups), for example.

A responsible breeder will screen the buyer to make sure he will be a match for the pup he wants. If someone is breeding large dogs responsibly, they will not sell a pup to someone who wants to "make the dog mean". Good breeders are not selling a product, they are emotionally invested in the pups they produce and want to find owners that will value and keep their pet as a family member.

Responsible dog breeders are out there, but if you are looking for a pup to add to your family, you may have to do some research to find someone who is not making their living on the backs of the pets they produce. You may have to ask your Vet for a referral, or you can contact a local dog training club, or a dog groomer, to find a reputable place from which to get your dog.