Choosing A Good Breeder

How do I find a healthy, happy puppy?
You’ve always dreamed of a purebred puppy. But where do you go to find one? Starting out can be difficult, but if you know where to look, the puppy of your dreams is waiting.

Purebred puppies can be found all over – newspapers, pet stores, internet and even flea markets, to name a few. But how do you know that the puppy you pick will be the one of your dreams and not of your nightmares?



A little background on puppies – All purebred puppies are not the same (even if they are AKC). There are puppy mills, backyard breeders, puppy brokers/pet stores/multi-breed sales kennels and show/hobby breeders.



Puppy Mills are for profit businesses. These were started by our own US Department of Agriculture many years ago to give farmers another “crop” to sell. Puppy mills vary from clean facilities with vets on staff to the most horrible dirty barn in the back of some rural farmer’s property. No matter if clean and sanitary or filthy and dark, the bottom line is that these puppies are being bred for profit without caring about genetic illnesses (that require expensive and specialized tests), temperament, and type (does the dog look and act like it’s breed should). The parent dogs in these facilities are just used to breed, over and over until their lives end, often brutally. If you see a puppy from a USDA licensed kennel, it is a warning sign of a high volume puppy mill.



Backyard Breeders are also looking for a profit. Generally a backyard breeder is the family up the road who bred their purebred dog to the neighbor’s purebred dog to have a little for fun and hopefully some extra cash. Again, you will seldom find genetic clearances, or breeding for temperament or type. If you ask the magic question “why did you chose this particular dog and bitch to breed?” You’ll get answers ranging from a blank stare to “Fluffy is a nice dog and so is Rover”.



Puppy Brokers, Pet Stores and/or all breed kennels are easily spotted by their ads – usually with statements like “Akitas to Yorkies”. These places are buying from puppy mills and backyard breeders (also known as “local breeders”) and reselling to whoever has a credit card handy, no questions asked.



Show/Hobby Breeders. are the people who dedicate their lives to the breeding of healthy, happy, true to type purebred dogs. Their only goal is to produce the best dog of their breed,. They know the breed standard and can quote you exactly what they are breeding for. When you ask the “magic question”, you will get an answer that can go on for an hour if you’re not careful: “Well, I like Fluffy’s movement and topline, but her rear is a little close and I’d like more head on her. I looked for a dog that would contribute a great rear, while keeping the fronts I’ve worked so hard for, with sufficient angulation and a better head. Now, Rover’s line is known for this and he goes back to Ch Rover of Perfection lines in Germany and for the past 60 years .....” Smile and nod, you’ve found a knowledgeable breeder. These breeders are quick to show you their champions as well as proof of health clearances. If a health clearance is missing, they will tell you why as well as how they are breeding around it (no dog is perfect, but if you don’t know what you’re dealing with, you can’t breed to avoid it). Be prepared to tell the breeder all about your lifestyle – they will not sell to whoever comes to their door. If they aren’t convinced you are the right person for their breed or this particular litter, they will NOT sell you a puppy. Take their advice seriously!



Other considerations --
Internet resources: the internet can be a great educational resource as well as a place to link up with the worst of breeders. Generally, if you look for the [specific breed] Club of America, you’ll get great information. If you look at “get your dog tomorrow with a mouse click and credit card” you’re getting a puppy mill or back yard breeder.



Costs: Puppies can range from free to several thousand dollars. Beware, the “cheap” pup may be far more expensive in the long run. Often backyard breeders sell their puppies for far less than show/hobby breeders. This is because they are not incurring the costs of specialists’ health checks and health certifications (like OFA and CERF registries), and they certainly do not show their dogs. They also breed whatever dogs they have, not removing dogs from their breeding program that have produced health problems or bad temperaments. Also, to save money or by simple inexperience, these breeders may not give shots at the proper time, or worm their pups appropriately (if at all). There are far too many instances of people buying “cheap” pups that either immediately or down the road cost them thousands in vet bills, along with terrible heartache when their dog dies prematurely. These are the real costs of the “cheap” puppy from a questionable source. Ironically, pet stores and puppy resale kennels often charge more for their poorly bred puppies than the show/hobby breeders charge for carefully bred pups!



Guarantees: Most places offer “health guarantees for 2 years”, but not all guarantees are the same. Read carefully and ask questions. The most common pet store guarantee states that if the puppy dies or the puppy is ill, and you return him, you get another puppy. Think about it – you’ve fallen in love; will you give your puppy back for another one? The vast majority of people will not. If your puppy is sick and can be cured – will you put him down to get another? Of course not. This is what these guarantees count on – you will do anything for your pup, and vet costs are NOT covered! You can pay thousands in vet bills, with no recourse unless your puppy dies, you put him down, or you return him sick, knowing they will put him down anyhow.



A good guarantee states what is covered and what is not, as well as indicating that if your puppy is ill with the stated genetic illnesses (usually crippling hip dysplasia, cataracts, elbow dysplasia, etc). the breeder will either refund your money or provide another puppy from the next available litter and you keep your puppy as well if you want to. The puppy does not have to be returned or die for the guarantee to be in effect. Normally, acquired illnesses (like distemper and parvo) are not covered, as completing the puppy shots is the owner’s responsibility.



So now what do you do? You’ve decided you want to meet show/hobby breeders, but where do you find them? Start by doing research on the breed by viewing the [specific breed] Club of American pages on the internet. This will tell you all about the breed, its characteristics, its health issues and usually a list of regional clubs/contacts, rescue and breeders. The breeders listed will have agreed to an ethics statement, as well as being members of the national club. Regional clubs (as branches of the national club) normally list breeder referrals as well. It’s a good idea to ask to attend club events (many have picnics or other fun events for everyone to enjoy their dogs). This is a fun way to find out if the breed you like is for you, and meet valuable contacts as well.



Show/hobby breeders actively show, their dogs and the best place to go and meet them is at a local dog show. Visit http://www.infodog.com to find shows near you. Be sure to check back a week before the show and check the “judging schedule” so you know what ring and time your breed will be there. All but the winner of the breed often leave after the individual breed judging is complete. Don’t touch a dog without permission (some breeds take hours to prepare) and don’t talk to a handler ready to enter the ring.



Do your research, ask questions, and be patient. The time and effort you put in up front is your best investment to have a happy, healthy 12-15 years ahead of you with your perfect puppy!