What To Look For In A Breeder
May 20, 2012 in General
Getting a puppy is a life changing experience, and a commitment that may span over a decade. You may prepare for your dogs future by buying it collars and food bowls, but one of the best ways you can prepare for your puppies future is to pick the right breeder.
A Word On Puppy Mills
Horrible treatment and mass breeding is not the only thing puppy mill puppies are known for. They are also known for severe health problems that could cost you thousands, as well as behavioral and training problems. While over-breeding—and poor breeding stock—is a part of this, environment is also a big part of it. The first few weeks of a puppies life are crucial for how they look at the world.
- Ask pet stores where they get their puppies from. If they won’t give you a specific name, they probably got it from a puppy mill. You want to hear, “So and So Rescue” or “Such and Such Breeder”, along with a phone number to verify. If they won’t give you a specific name and a phone number, don’t buy it.
- While there are reputable breeders who breed more than one breed, most of them don’t. Avoid any breeder who advertises multiple breeds of puppies available, as they are likely to be a puppy mill.
Finding A Breeder That Cares
Who ever you choose as a breeder, by far the most important thing to ask is how they socialize their puppies. If you don’t immediately get a response about running vacuums, introduction to different types of flooring, nail trims and other things they may encounter in day to day life as a pet, run away. Behavioral problems are the #1 reason why healthy animals are destroyed, and early encounters like this make everything else so much easier.
Another important thing to ask your breeder about is how they introduce the puppies to potty training. If they’re allowed to poop indiscriminately, house training is going to be a thousand times harder than if they’ve already started paper training. (Think about it, all the puppy has ever known is…it’s okay to just let the bowls go. There’s no inhibition at all.)
If your breed is known for any health concerns (and every breed has at least one health concern) ask your breeders what they do about it. If they don’t seem concerned, you should be concerned. A good breeder will guarantee their puppies health, and may even have a contract requiring a minimum level of care from you. Don’t be offended if the breeder requires a contract, it’s just another sign the breeder cares.
Last but not least, find out if one or both parents have titled at anything, in anything. (Any sport, any discipline, regardless of whether or not they are registered dogs or not.) While not absolutely necessary, this is proof that the parents are trainable, and intelligent.
Some of my favorite questions to ask a breeder:
How many years have you been breeding?
Why do you breed?
( You should hear things like for the love and preservation and possibly improvement of my breed)
Are the sire and dam and or related dogs on premise to see?
Are the pedigrees available?
What health issues are in your breed? (The buyer should have researched the National Breed Club web site to determine what health issues are predominant in the breed, so that you have a point of reference to go by on the breeders answer(s) to you).
What are known hereditary problems? (ask for certification that the parents are clear- again, know your breed!)
How long do your dogs live? (this can be a tricky question, because someone who has only just started breeding and have been in there breed for 5 to 10 years, may not know, because they may not have any dogs that have died yet).
What age will puppies be available to go? (the buyer should be aware that pups leaving prior to 7 or 8 weeks of age is not a good idea unless they have a motherly dog at home who will gently play with and teach the pup. Otherwise it is best that the breeder keep the pups in the company of the mother for a few more weeks so she can teach them proper canine etiquette and social skills).
Environment, Puppies were raised in (house or kennel)?
What kind of HUMAN AND/OR DOG socialization program do you provide? (puppies should have seen several human visitors over the weeks, preferably have Early Neurological Stimulation done in the first 3 to 14 days, and have some gentle exposure to puppy-friendly “auntie/uncle” dogs who help to teach them proper canine etiquette/behavior)
What are the temperaments of the sire and dam? (should be unafraid, and stable. Friendliness often depends on the breed, but there should be no FEAR shown to humans, nor aggressiveness when not in the presence of the puppies).
May I contact other puppy buyers for references? (answer should be yes)
What type of health guarantee does the breeder give
puppies. (this should always be in writing)
What kind of registration is provided (AKC, CKC, UKC, FCI, KNPV, Rare Breed Club Reg)
Will the breeder take the dog back or assist you in
placing the dog should you ever decide that you cannot
keep it? (answer should be yes and this should be written within the contract/agreement)
How many litters a year do you have? (this may depend on the popularity of the breed and how many females this breeder has)
What kind of diet are the dogs on? (the type of food being fed is an indicator of the care of the dogs)
Do you keep in contact with your puppy buyers?
Do you belong to any dog clubs?
Please note: A good breeder who cares about their charges and wants to know what kind of home their pups will be going to should ask any potential puppy buyer many questions.