Choosing the right breeder to buy your life-long companion from.

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HOW TO CHOOSE A GOOD DOG BREEDER:

 

1: Talk to your breeder at length, ask questions, get to know the goals of your breeder's program.

 

2: Look for a breeder that shows good ethics and morals. Honesty is always the best policy. It is always important to feel comfortable and at ease with your breeder and her/his ethics, because ultimately this connection will provide you with a strong breeder/owner relationship that will lead you to purchasing a puppy suited to your lifestyle.

 

3: Look for a breeder who cares about where her puppies go, and cares who they go to. The breeder should be asking their fair share of questions too!

 

4: Look for a breeder who gives a written guarantee. Be careful of lifetime guarantees, as where it may be made to make you feel secure, there is often a hidden catch and unless you take certain measures the dog is guaranteed no longer then a regular guarantee. Not all lifetime guarantees are bogus, so be sure to ask to see a copy of the guarantee before-hand. The average breeder guarantees their dogs for a minimum of two years, which provides you time to get hips and elbows examined and be cleared for genetic diseases or major faults. Many breeders will either give you a credit note towards another puppy from their kennel, a replacement puppy from their kennel, or in some cases a partial or full money back guarantee. A GOOD BREEDER will also not be afraid to ask you to put down on paper what your goals are for your dog, including signing a terms/conditions of contract form. A GOOD BREEDER will also always make you sign a NON-BREEDING CONTRACT if you are purchasing a pet! This means they take their task of raising dogs seriously and have no desire to place puppies with owners that are not willing to be responsible dog owners.

 

5: Ask to see hip and elbow examination results (or eye, thyroid, etc - depending on what the breed you are considering is susceptible to) of the parents to the puppy you are considering. If the parents are said to be OFA certified, collect their Registration names and confirm this information by visiting www.offa.org where you will be able to see the results of their examinations online. If they are not present on the site, it is possible that the dog did not pass their exams, or the breeder might be fluffing things up to be better then they really are.

 

6: Take a visit to the kennel or facility if at all possible. Cleanliness and proper facility is very important for the environmental stability of a dogs temperament, well being and health. However sorry you may feel for a puppy who is living in poor conditions, it is always best to steer clear and not support these breeders, as they may be classified as a backyard breeder, or even a puppy mill.

 

7: Beware of breeder who breeds several breeds of dogs. A breeder that has too many breeds of dogs or too many dogs period, is not someone who possibly has time to thoroughly know their dogs temperaments in and out and often times does not have all of the normal health requirements for their breed in place. It is also of importance that the puppy you are purchasing is well socialized and this may not be possible with such a large number of dogs to care for. If you are serious about purchasing from a larger kennel, ask the breeder if they have kennel help, if their dogs attend classes, how often their dogs are socialized, played with, walked, etc. Of course the proof will be in meeting the dogs & taking note of temperament, socialbility, and overall appearance & condition.

 

8: Beware of a breeder who does not title any of their dogs or are not involved with any sort of sport or training. This is generally a red flag that says the breeder may only be involved with the breed for a cash profit and not for the betterment and improvement of the breed to it’s standard, which is why competitive events such as conformation and obedience were put in place. To determine if the dog exemplifies the breed standard.

 

9: Ask for references! If at all possible ask for phone references! Where written references are wonderful, many breeders will hype themselves up by inventing buyers with good experiences. It is best to talk to someone in person or via e-mail or telephone. This is not always a must, but it is an extra precaution that you may want to take, especially if you are feeling uncomfortable with the breeder, in which case you should not be purchasing an animal from them period.

 

10: Beware of a breeder who speaks ill of other breeders on contact. A breeder who is secure with her/his dogs and their breeding program should have no need to try and make themselves look better by shooting others down.

 

11: Beware of the breeder who can not answer a large variety of breed questions or at least steer you in the right direction on where you can find the right answers. Most good breeders will be involved in some sort of breed or all breed club and will be a member of the Canadian Kennel Club or the American Kennel Club and be knowledgeable about the standard and health issues of their breed.

 

12:Beware of a breeder who offers you two prices. One for a Registered dog, and one for a dog without his Registration papers. Remember that by the Animal Pedigree Act, any breeder selling a dog that owns Registration papers or can be Registered is obligated to provide you with your dogs Registration papers. Often breeders who do this are out to make some quick cash.

 

13: Last but not least, meet the parents of your puppy if at all possible. This makes it possible to see what your puppy may develop into for the future, temperament wise, structurally, etc.

 

>> See further information on if purchasing a dog is the right decision for you

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