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How to Find a Responsible Dog Breeder

Stay Away From Puppy Mills & Back-Yard Breeders

  • This is a website to help educate the public on how to pick a good breeder, before they buy that special puppy.
  • Information on the law, puppy mills, pet stores, health problems, written contracts, return policies, over-priced puppies, etc.

  • The Law

  • It is against the law for any person or breeder to advertise purebred dogs without proper official registered papers from the (CKC) Canadian Kennel Club, (AKC) American Kennel Club, or other Registered Kennel Clubs.
  • An example, is that a person can not even advertise that it a Rottweiler, etc. using the official name of the breed. They could possibly advertise that their puppy is similar to a Rottweiler, etc. and not a purebred, with no papers.
  • If you have purchased a puppy where it was advertised as a purebred or they called it by the breed name, and especially paid more that $50 for a mutt, then call the RCMP in Canada or the police for information.
  • In other words, are you paying too much for an...................... As Is Puppy!
  • Nobody likes to put down a puppy for health reasons after having it as a family member for two years!

Why not read on, and buy a purebred puppy, with good background, and in good health. SAVE YOURSELF. money in the long-run.

Read on and Educate yourself. Be prepared!

  • There are so many puppy mills out there.
  • The puppy mills not only sell dogs through some pet stores but through one of their friends to make it seem more of a home atmosphere.
  • In a pet store they could be selling purebred puppies from another country making it hard for you to check out that puppy mill.
  • In a pet store they could be selling puppies from a puppy mill in your local area but will not tell you exactly where it is from or how to see their operation.
  • They look like good pups, but are they?
  • Will could end up with expensive vet bills, in the long run?

Paper Work, Documents and Written Details

  • Make sure they are a registered breeder with Canadian Kennel Club, American Kennel Club or other major Kennel Clubs in the world. Check Dog Registries
  • Check out how long they have been into breeding and what year their kennel name was registered
  • Ask for a list of references with phone numbers and check them out.
  • Get references from various litters that they have sold and not just the recent ones.
  • Check to see if they have permanent registry of their kennel name which tells you if they have Breed 10 champion puppies from their kennel.
  • Not all kennels will permanently register their kennel but check to see if they have breed champions on how many.
  • Check out puppies pedigree making sure it is a least 3 generation.
  • Check out show-ring or field success, where this will back up the breeder if they are saying their breed, or puppy is one of the best. Note that you can still buy an excellent dog yet it might not be show quality. Make sure you are paying for what the breeder says you are getting.

Health Paper Work

  • Check out the paper work from their vet for the puppies vaccinations, worming, and any other vet visits that the puppy might of had.
  • Make sure you see proper paper work results that the puppies parents have had done about common hereditary defects in the breed.
  • Examples in some breeds, yet not all are:
  • eyes, hearing, hip dysplasia, heart murmurs, etc.
  • See if the paper work results are done by their own local vet or sent to a well known animal lab.
  • Ask for written guarantees against hereditary defects
  • Ask about a written return policy and their time limit in case things don't work out.
  • Inquire about registered papers for the puppy and special arrangements such as non-breeding contracts, meaning you can not breed the puppy you are buying without the permission of that breeder.
  • Inquire about your puppy spayed/neuter agreements, showing agreements, professional dog show handler agreements, advertising your puppy, registered names, etc.

Other Items

  • Check out their kennel and home if possible.

Make sure it is up to good clean, healthy standards.
Visit all of their dogs on their premises and make sure they are all in good health.

  • Meet both parents of the puppies.

Note temperament, obedience, training, standard (meaning breed quality), and health

  • Make sure that no previous puppies of the parents and grandparents had died at early ages from health problems such as cancer. etc.
  • Check out from breeders, friends, trainers, show handlers, books, breed clubs and the Internet what are the common problems in the breed.

Do not be persuaded away from the original breed you 1st looked unless you have hard evidence that they are not for you.
Don't always buy a breed just because they are somebody's good friend who they say that breed the best.
Check it out thoroughly yourself.

  • Ask about training tips on puppies.

This will lead the breeder to tell you how they train, reward or how harsh they have to reprimand their dogs.
Ask if they know trainers in your area or could recommend one if you need help in training. If they don't know one then are they really into dogs very much?
Some dogs need very early socialization with other dogs and people which can be obtained through good quality trainers, and group classes.

  • Ask about their feeding, sleeping arrangements, and general care
  • Obtain books and pamphlets, on the breed you have chosen, for training and care.
  • Is the breed standard long hair, curly hair, short hair, wire hair, soft hair?
  • Is the breed standard long, medium, or short legs?
  • Is the breed colour all one colour, mixture of what colours?
  • You don't want your friends questioning your judgment, on that you got ripped off, when you paid $250-$650, for a purebred, do you?
  • Know your dog standards!
  • Chat on Internet or e-mail clubs on the Internet to hear and learn all about the breed and what they are actually like.

These breeders have taken out extra time in their busy schedule to provide pictures and information on their kennel.
They have done this, at their own expense, to show the world that they are a reputable breeder, showing what they have to offer, up front.
Also check:

Conclusion

  • Why support a puppy mill or someone that is not interested in the better of the dog breed.
  • Why support someone who just thought they might try breeding their dog for pups because they heard it was good for their dog to mother 1 litter.
  • Why support someone who is selling overpriced mutts.
  • Why support someone is Advertising AGAINST THE LAW!

Also Read: Help with Choosing a Puppy or Adult Dog

Links on How To Find a Good Dog Breeder
The Humane Society of the United States
Download check list for good breeder from the Humane Society
http://members.tripod.com/antique_fcr/goodbreeder.html
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/02/02/earlyshow/contributors/debbyet...
http://dogs.about.com/cs/before/a/ethical_breeder.htm

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