What to look for in a Breeder
Now that you have done the responsible thing, researched your dog breed choice and taken an honest look at your own needs and expectations, you want to find a responsible Breeder. Following is a checklist of things to observe and a list of questions you may want to ask.
What to observe
Housing of the Adults, especially of the Mother
Feeding of all animals on the property
Interaction of the Breeder with animals on the property
Veterinary Care, Record Keeping, Information Available
The Contract or other Documents you are asked to sign
The Discussion about Money, Transportation or Other Costs
Here is a list of questions you may be asked:
Here is a list of questions you may want to ask:
Keep track of Breeders you have contacted and their answers. If you speak to more than one, it may be difficult to recall specifics later. Information that might be helpful to record include:
Kennel Name; Contact Name; Phone Number; Email Address; Website Address; Location; Puppies Birthdate and Litter Size; Gender Available or Promised; Additional Notes on any other specific agreements or costs.
For example, a puppy may be sold at a reduced rate because they are not considered "show" quality. This is often accompanied by an agreement that your "pet" quality dog be spayed/neutered and not bred at all. The health or temperament of the puppy may well not be an issue, but it could be a matter of some minor disparity from the "standard" for the breed which makes them less suitable for the show ring. Just be sure to understand the Breeder's reason for the pup being listed as "pet", not "show" quality.
This is not all encompassing but it should give you a good start and help you identify any problem areas where you may need to more closely consider you desire for a dog. Happy searching for the perfect dog for you and your family, and many years of happiness.
- Do not rush the process, you need to take on dog "ownership" with your eyes wide open.
- If you feel a Breeder is rushing you, they may not be the right breeder for you.
- Remember, electing to take on the cost, training, and rewards of dog "ownership" is a long term commitment that can last between 10 and 20 years.
- Dog "ownership" is a responsibility not to shirk after the "cute" puppy stages, or with laziness for training.
- If you are not committed, like you would be with a child, you should not take the responsibility of another life into your home and family.
What to observe
- When visiting the breeder, use all of your senses. Look at the environment of not only the puppies, but also the mother; and/or other dogs on the premises.
- You may want to request references. Sometimes you may be able to speak with a previous puppy-buyer but privacy laws may prevent this.
- Sometimes a conversation about how they got into breeding can tell you much. Listen for their emotional reasons, not just financial ones.
- When meeting a dog do they handle your presence like a well-trained, well-adjusted dog or cower in a corner?
- Is there a separate place for them to eliminate waste from where they sleep?
- Is there an overwhelming smell of cleaning product, just for your visit?
- Know what your senses are telling you, not how friendly the Breeder is acting toward you.
Housing of the Adults, especially of the Mother
- If the dogs are being kept in an outdoor kennel or run, is it raised with only open mesh for them to walk, stand or lay on?
- Do they have bedding provided?
- Is there shelter from sun, rain, or weather extremes?
- Is the area clean in a way that says cleaned regularly, not just for showing?
- Do the adults have room to move about freely, play, and rest properly?
Feeding of all animals on the property
- Do all of the animals on the property have fresh water in clean bowls available to them?
- Are they and their feeding area clean and maintained?
Interaction of the Breeder with animals on the property
- Is the Breeder distant to the dogs or is he friendly and warmly interactive with the animals.
- Do they appear afraid or anxious to see the Breeder?
Veterinary Care, Record Keeping, Information Available
- How readily does the Breeder answer questions about the parents health, and about the pregnancy and birth of the puppies?
- Will he show you Veterinary records, worming records, vaccination records?
- What is the name and address of the Veterinarian the Breeder regularly uses?
The Contract or other Documents you are asked to sign
- Thoroughly read any documents or contracts you are asked to sign. There is nothing wrong with taking your time to not only read, but to understand whatever is in a contract you are being asked to sign.
- Often, a Breeder will have as part of the contract, that if for any reason you are unable to keep the dog you buy from him, the Breeder gets first right of refusal. This means, the Breeder will take the dog back at any time, no matter what, and find a fit home for the dog rather than have the dog end up in a shelter.
The Discussion about Money, Transportation or Other Costs
- It would probably be best to discuss money, transportation and other costs before you first look at the puppies.
- Know what the cost is first, whether the Breeder expects payment in full or might take payments leading up to "date of sale" or the day the puppy goes home with you.
- If you live a long distance from the Breeder and will need to have your dog shipped to you by air, the cost of the transportation will be your cost.
- By regulation, the dog will require a kennel for transportation that is correctly sized for the dog.
- Each airline has their own regulations and it is important that you know and understand what is involved, besides the cost.
- If you want a "less expensive" dog look into rescue, or adopt from an animal shelter.
- Many Breeders, especially "Hobby Breeders" barely recoup their actual costs.
- Only the larger Breeders make money by having multiple dogs bred at any one time.
- Outside of that, Puppy Mills, with Breeders of multiple dog breeds and little to no care about the "breeding stock" make the money; which is why they exist and are so difficult to get rid of. Rather than buy from a puppy mill, report any neglect or abuse you witness or suspect, then offer to rescue one of the puppies or adults that may eventually be seized. This is often the only way puppy mills get shut down and the suffering of the dogs ends.
Here is a list of questions you may be asked:
- Have you had this breed of dog before?
- How familiar are you with the breed?
- Who will be the dogs primary caregiver responsible for walking, feeding, training?
- Do you live in a house or apartment?
- Do you rent or own?
- If you rent do you have the landlord's permission to have a dog?
- Do you have a fenced yard or how do you plan to exercise the dog?
- Where will the dog be staying when you aren't home? At night
- How much will someone be home with the dog?
- Do you have children in the home? What are their ages?
- Do you have other pets in the home? What kind and what age?
- Do you plan on showing the dog or want a companion dog only?
- Do you plan on participating in any other activities or events such as agility, etc. ?
- Do you want a puppy or are you willing to consider an adult, rescue or dog needing re-homing?
- How soon do you want to get a dog?
- Does everyone in the family want a dog?
- Agree on the breed?
- Is anyone allergic to dogs?
Here is a list of questions you may want to ask:
- How long have you been involved with this breed?
- How long as a breeder?
- How often do you breed your females?
- Up to what age?
- What happens when you are done breeding the females?
- How far back can you go on the puppies' pedigree?
- What health problems has any dog in the past three generations had, even if not genetic?
- What is your health guarantee?
- What kind of references can you give me?
- On a show quality puppy - What about this puppy makes him show quality?
- On a non-show quality puppy - What about this puppy makes him considered non-show quality?
- Can I review the contract for a day or two before signing any agreements?
- Can you help me with the registration process?
Keep track of Breeders you have contacted and their answers. If you speak to more than one, it may be difficult to recall specifics later. Information that might be helpful to record include:
Kennel Name; Contact Name; Phone Number; Email Address; Website Address; Location; Puppies Birthdate and Litter Size; Gender Available or Promised; Additional Notes on any other specific agreements or costs.
For example, a puppy may be sold at a reduced rate because they are not considered "show" quality. This is often accompanied by an agreement that your "pet" quality dog be spayed/neutered and not bred at all. The health or temperament of the puppy may well not be an issue, but it could be a matter of some minor disparity from the "standard" for the breed which makes them less suitable for the show ring. Just be sure to understand the Breeder's reason for the pup being listed as "pet", not "show" quality.
This is not all encompassing but it should give you a good start and help you identify any problem areas where you may need to more closely consider you desire for a dog. Happy searching for the perfect dog for you and your family, and many years of happiness.