SOME THINGS TO FIND OUT FROM A BREEDER BEFORE
YOU BUY A DOG
Is the breeder
breeding to Standard? How were the parents chosen?
Take time to familiarize yourself with the breed standard, the written description of what a breed should look like and act like. Look for a breeder who is concerned about producing good quality, healthy dogs that will be good representatives of the breed.
Are only mentally and
physically healthy animals used for breeding?
You don’t want to buy
a puppy with a mother who has a skin condition and is a fear biter or a father
who cowers beneath tables.
Find out what the OFA
and CERF numbers are of the parents and grandparents.
OFA checks x-rays for hip dysplasia and CERF checks for eye problems.
How often has the
mother been bred? Is this her first litter?
There’s no rule about how many times a dog should be bred but you don’t want to support a breeder who is treating the animals like machines, breeding too often or too young.
How old are the pups
before they’re sold?
Many states require that a puppy be at least 8 weeks old before they are sold. Time spent with the mother is very important; it’s when the puppy learns most of the social rules of behavior. Puppies that are sold too early often have a hard time learning basic manners.
What is done to socialize the pups?
Car rides? Leash training? Public
places? Kids playing with them? Crate training?
You want to be sure everything possible has been done to prepare the pups for the real world. This is for the sake of the pups AND the new owners.
Does the breeder use
a contract?
Does the contract
include a health guarantee, and do you get a health record (what shots have
been given, heartworm preventative).
Look for a breeder who offers a contract that spells out the terms of the purchase. You should understand what the breeder is offering and what she expects from you.
Does the contract require
spay or neuter for the dog and does it require that the dog be returned to
the breeder if you can’t keep it?
A breeder who sells without requiring that pets be spayed
or neutered is simply adding to a situation in which too many animals are
unwanted, live in pathetic conditions or are killed because of overpopulation.
A responsible breeder will try to make sure that no dog she has produced ends up in the shelter, in rescue or in a home where it is unwanted..
Has the breeder asked
YOU questions about your lifestyle, where the dog will be kept, how much you
know about the breed etc. etc.
If a breeder isn’t seriously concerned about the home in which she is placing a dog, be careful. Chances are she hasn’t put much thought into the dogs she bred either.
When you go to a
breeder’s facility:
Be sure to notice the general condition of the dogs. Are they clean, well-housed, have room to run? Many breeders have messy houses (!) but the dogs should be clean and in good condition.
Are the adult dogs
well-socialized? How do they react to strangers? to each other?
Notice the same things
for the puppies.
How many breeds does
the breeder have? Be cautious of a breeder who has more than a couple of
breeds.
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