Can You Sell Inbred Puppies? Is It Against the Law? (2024)

A litter of Boxer puppies in a wood crate indoors.

Can you sell inbred puppies? Inbreeding in dogs is common, and while breeders should disclose this information to potential buyers before they sell puppies, not all of them do.

If you are wondering if your puppy is inbred or if you are planning to sell a litter of inbred puppies, it’s a good idea to understand the risks associated with inbreeding.

You can sell inbred puppies, and many breeders do this regularly. Breeders often sell inbred puppies because they were purposely bred for specific traits or characteristics. While selling inbred puppies is not illegal, ethics dictate that full disclosure should be made to all buyers.

If you are a breeder or have an accidental litter of inbred puppies and are wondering if you can sell them, read on to learn more. 

Selling Inbred Puppies

If you decide to sell inbred puppies, you should be aware of any issues that may arise from doing so and be upfront with those who choose to buy them.

What Is Inbreeding in Dogs?

Inbreeding is the process of allowing dogs that are closely related to mate and have offspring. The dogs may be directly related or there may be soma few generations between them.

Some breeders sell inbred puppies on purpose, and sometimes it just happens by accident.

Is It Illegal To Sell Inbred Puppies?

It is not illegal to sell inbred puppies, and many breeders do so regularly. Many breeders do not voluntarily share this information with buyers unless asked.

Will Inbred Puppies Be Healthy?

Most inbred puppies are healthy, but the more inbred the dogs become, the more likely health problems are to arise.

Breeders who knowingly inbreed their dogs are aware of this, and a good breeder will take precautions to ensure that the dogs they are breeding are not too closely related or have not been overly inbred enough to lead to health problems for the puppies.

Are You Required To Inform Buyers That Puppies Are Inbred?

Breeders are not required to inform buyers that puppies are inbred unless they have a specific breeding contract that states the lineage of the puppies.

If your puppy has a pedigree, you should be able to tell if he or she is inbred. It is illegal for breeders to lie about a dog’s pedigree.

Is It Morally Wrong To Sell Inbred Puppies?

It is not necessarily morally wrong to sell inbred puppies as long as the breeding is done responsibly and the breeders are being careful not to inbreed too closely or too often.

Many dogs are specifically inbred because they produce puppies that carry certain genes or characteristics that pertain to the breed standard.

Can You Register Inbred Puppies?

Inbred puppies may still be able to be registered with the AKC and other clubs, depending on the type of inbreeding that took place.

Each club has specific rules about inbreeding, but most do not discourage it completely. Before buying an inbred pup, check to see if he or she can be registered with the club of your preference. 

Two Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppies on gray background.

Is Inbreeding Bad for Dogs?

Close or irresponsible inbreeding can be bad for dogs for many reasons.

Just as it allows puppies to maintain specific traits and characteristics from the parents that the breeders see as good, it also allows bad traits and genetic problems to be passed down.

The more inbred a dog is, the more health problems he or she is likely to have. 

Benefits of Inbreeding Dogs

Inbreeding is usually only done if a breeder knows there are benefits to doing so. Most dogs are inbred because they have certain characteristics that the breeder wants to retain.

Inbreeding can produce dogs with specific coat colors, and temperaments, help prevent health problems, and even reduce the size of the puppies to create toy or miniature varieties.

Disadvantages of Inbreeding Dogs

There are some disadvantages of inbreeding dogs. When dogs are inbred, the gene pool becomes smaller and makes it harder to find dogs that are not related.

It can also lead to depression in dogs, physical disabilities or deformities, weakened immune systems, and other health problems.

Accidental Inbred Puppies – What To Do

If you have an accidental litter of inbred puppies, you should have a health evaluation performed by a veterinarian once they are born.

If you plan to sell the puppies, you should include this health evaluation and be honest with buyers. If you are not able to sell the puppies because they are inbred, you may have to give them away. 

Inbred Dog Problems

Inbred dogs can have many different problems. These problems can vary by breed and depend on the severity of the inbreeding. Some common inbred dog problems include: 

  • Genetic defects
  • Vision problems
  • Fertility problems
  • Deformities
  • Abnormal growth
  • Immune system disorders
  • Allergies
  • Behavior issues
  • Aggression
  • Dental problems

Related Questions: 

What Are the Signs of an Inbred Dog?

Sometimes dogs that are inbred do not show any signs of it at all. If the inbreeding occurred between dogs that were closely related, there could be some physical signs that include: 

  • Small stature
  • Asymmetrical features
  • Higher risk of cancer
  • Genetic disorders
  • Vision or hearing problems

Are Purebred Dogs Inbred?

While not all purebred dogs are inbred, it is very common.

Purebred dogs are not only bred to ensure the purity of the breed but also to meet the breed standard and retain certain traits and characteristics that breeders and clubs find favorable.

Conclusion 

Inbreeding in dogs is not illegal, and it does not always cause problems with the puppies it produces.

While many people find it unethical, it is actually very common, and many clubs accept dogs that have been inbred, depending on the circumstances of the inbreeding.

If you have a litter of puppies that are inbred, you should always get a health scan and be upfront about it to potential buyers.