Ok so I met this couple last night- they breed Danes.  They are not registered nor do they show.  They are however very  passionate about the breed, very informed in regards to health and welfare, feeding etc and dearly love their dogs.  They have 2 females and 1 male on site. 

 I do not show nor do I have any interest in showing- her pups IMHO are stunning looking dogs.  Her harls are probably too heavily marked to show and her one female will have the odd fawnequin - they pups are beautiful. I was very comfortable chatting with her.  I have,  in my short time living with a Dane,  come to understand the difference between an idiot BYB and a quality breeder.  These people answered every question I had, with the correct answers, had full history on all 3 of their dogs as they came from their mentor breeder in a neighbouring provence.  They don't overbreed the females and all of the pups and adults see a vet on a regular basis- she  offers her vets phone number for a reference.  There is a scrapbook online of the grown pups and their new guardians along with a message board- almost every pup they have sold has kept in touch with them and there pics of them growing up.

Now my question to you all is this:  Is there anything wrong with purchasing a dog from breeders such as this?  Just because they do not show and their dogs are not to show standard, does this make them a lesser quality breeder?  Is there some kind of code of ethics in regards to Dane colouring and not intentionally creating non show quality (colour) dogs?  What difference does it make whether or not the dogs are registered?  I am just looking for opinions as when I first met them, I judged them instantly- then I spoke to them and they really are good people breeding good dogs.  What do you all think?  I know this is a very touchy subject and please don't rip me a new one for bringing this up- I am just curious about the "ethics" of breeders and is there a whole "elite" society out there looking for the perfect show dog.  I personally would rather get a dog from these people than a breeder on a mission just to breed a champion.  Again, just looking for opinions.  Hoping its safe to ask for them.  Mel.