You can also contact local breed clubs or visit professional dog shows and strike up a conversation with participants or spectators to see if they know of a good breeder.
How long have you been a dog breeder? How many types of dogs do you breed at one time? How often do you clean, feed, and play with the dogs? Are you a registered dog breeder? Can you show me proof of the dogs’ physical health from a licensed veterinarian? Can I meet the pup’s mother or parents? Can you provide references from other individuals or families who have purchased dogs from you before? Can you tell me about any potential genetic issues or problems with the types of dogs you breed? Can I return for multiple visits with my family before making a purchase?
The living areas for the dogs should be clean, spacious and well maintained. The dogs should be kept in roomy spaces that meet the needs of their particular breed. For example, most small breeds will be housed inside in the home, while sporting breeds will have plenty of outdoor space for exercise.
Note if the breeder is meeting the psychological and physical needs of their dogs by providing toys, exercise, and social interaction. If the breeder is stand offish or cold towards the dogs, this is likely a bad sign. The puppies should also be raised in the breeder’s home, and the breeder should demonstrate care and attention to the puppies. A reputable breeder will likely not have a constant supply of puppies, as this would indicate a puppy mill and possibly bad treatment of the animals. They may keep a list of interested buyers for the next available litter and they should be willing to refer you to other responsible breeders or breed clubs if they do not have puppies available. [8] X Trustworthy Source The Humane Society of the United States National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare Go to source
If the breeder advertises ten varieties of dog and all their mixes, they likely are not very reputable. [9] X Trustworthy Source The Humane Society of the United States National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare Go to source
The breeder should also encourage several visits so you can take your time deciding on if the puppy is right for you, and should not mind if you ask to bring your family with you to meet the puppy.
The breeder should also be comfortable with explaining to you in detail the potential genetic and developmental problems inherent to the breed. [12] X Research source They should offer you guidance on how to take care and train the puppy, and be available for assistance with any issues after you take your new puppy home, especially if you’ve never owned a dog before.
These records ensure the puppy has been checked for diseases and health issues by a licensed veterinarian and has a clean bill of health. The breeder should also not require you to use a specific vet for the puppy’s check ups.
You can also ask the breeder if they sell puppies to unknown buyers over the Internet. A reputable breeder will only sell their puppies to individuals they have met in person.
The contract may require you to spay or neuter the dog unless you plan to turn the pup into a show dog. As well, the contract may state you will return the dog to the breeder should you be unable to keep the dog. These are all normal stipulations of a breeder contract. [16] X Trustworthy Source The Humane Society of the United States National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare Go to source
They may also ask you for proof of residency, like your lease or mortgage papers, to ensure you can provide a stable home for the pup. The reputable breeder will likely give you a reference to a good veterinarian if you don’t already have one.
