10 Tips for Finding a Reputable Puppy Breeder
It’s easy to fall in love with a specific breed of dog because of their unique attributes — be they physical, like big eyes and fluffy tails, or temperaments, like calm or whimsical personalities. Because it’s so easy to be taken with a specific breed, people sometimes jump at the first breeder they come across.
But, it’s key to remember that finding the right breeder is just as important as finding the right breed. A responsible breeder can help you get the puppy you were hoping for. On the other hand, an irresponsible breeder can leave you with big, lingering repercussions.
How to spot a reputable dog breeder
Breeding dogs is a lot more involved than simply mating two healthy dogs with desirable traits. Good dog breeders understand the ethical implications of breeding dogs without doing due diligence. They also spend years studying their breed and genetics, which is part of the reason they charge a premium. So take a few minutes and consider these top ten tips for finding a responsible breeder near you.
A reputable dog breeder should:
1. Be as interested in learning about you as you are in him or her
A good dog breeder will expect a lot of questions from you and will be patient in answering them. In turn, he or she should also be interviewing you, because a good breeder will want to know that their puppies are going to a good home. They should ask about your day-to-day life, request to meet the whole family, and inquire about how much time you have to devote to your little fur-ball. If a breeder isn’t also asking you a lot of questions about how you’ll care for your puppy, that’s a red flag.
2. Welcome you to their kennel
A reputable breeder will gladly let you see where she raises their dogs. She’ll be proud of the clean space their dogs live in, which should also have ample room for the pups to move about freely. Also, note that a reputable breeder will make sure that her dogs have comfortable and safe access to indoor and outdoor spaces.
3. Let you meet parent dogs
Meeting the puppies’ parents will give you some insight into the type of breeder you’re dealing with. Friendly, happy parents are a good indication that the breeder takes good care of his dogs. And even if it’s not possible to meet your puppy’s father, meeting the mom will provide valuable information.
4. Tell you how many litters she breeds per dog and year
Generally speaking, a dog shouldn’t be bred more than once a year, and absolutely not more than twice. The number of litters they produce per year can depend on the size of space and the number of bitches the breeder has, but it shouldn’t seem like an unusually high number to care for.
5. Ensure puppies are handled by different people
Puppies should be handled by many different people early on, so they feel comfortable and safe around humans. Your breeder should be inviting people over regularly to interact with his dogs.
6. Be well-versed on the breed
Make sure your breeder can easily provide details about a breed’s temperament, desired traits, and common ailments that arise from poor breeding practices. She should also be informed on the genetic history of your puppy’s breed.
7. Show love toward their dogs
This may sound like a no-brainer, but it’s an important tip to keep in mind. It seems anyone breeding dogs would be loving and ethical. Sadly, that’s not always the case. Watch and observe your breeder’s body language with his dogs — and his dogs’ body language around him. If the dogs are overly timid or scared, that’s probably not a breeder you’ll want to deal with. It could mean extra work for retraining too.
8. Be honest about the breed
A reputable breeder will want you to set you up for a lifetime of happiness with your new dog. She will be honest about health, behavior, or other drawbacks so that you’re ready for this commitment — and are fully prepared for what you’re getting into.
9. Get a few references
Ask your breeder for at least two, recent references. When you call these references, listen for things like tone of voice and enthusiastic answers. They should give the breeder a glowing review, or should take it as a sign to keep looking.
10. Be willing to take the dog back
One of the biggest tells of a good breeder is whether or not they’re prepared to take your dog back should you ever find yourself unable to care for your dog. Your dog’s breeder should feel some responsibility for its well-being, which is one of the big reasons they should also be interviewing you throughout the process and not just trying to sell you a dog. If your breeder says taking back a dog is something they would never do, move on.
Taking the next step
Of course, if you find yourself smitten with a certain dog, start by asking that owner if he or she can recommend a breeder. If not, ask a few different veterinarians if they know of a good breeder in your area. Another option is to visit The American Kennel Club or Good Dog for breeder referrals. Each has an extensive list of responsible breeders throughout the country and can offer detailed information on breed standards and certifications.
However, you move forward, taking the time to ask questions and spend time with your puppy’s breeder will drastically improve the odds of you getting the healthy, happy companion dog you’re hoping for.
