You’ve already made two important decisions: 1) adding a dog to your family and 2) choosing the breed of dog. The next crucial step is selecting a breeder. With thousands of breeders to choose from, it can be overwhelming, but by doing your research and finding a reputable breeder, you can ensure that your new family member will be a healthy and happy addition to your home.
Before visiting breeders, consider stopping by your local SPCA or another humane organization. Thousands of purebred animals are surrendered to shelters each year and are in need of a loving home. However, if you prefer to go through a breeder, be sure to choose wisely.
A good first stop is the American Kennel Club’s website, www.akc.org. This site provides information on every breed of dog recognized by the AKC, as well as details about reputable breeders and breed-specific rescue groups. It’s a great starting point for your puppy search, but it’s by no means the only way to find a good breeder.
High-quality breeders may advertise in various ways, such as placing an ad in the local newspaper, hanging flyers, or relying on word-of-mouth. Unfortunately, not-so-savory breeders may also use these methods. So, how can you be sure you’re getting your pet from a reputable breeder?
There are several key qualities that every reputable breeder shares. Here are some things to look for when searching for a breeder:
Key Qualities of a Reputable Breeder
Veterinary and Other References
A quality breeder will have a strong relationship with a local veterinarian. Be sure to contact that vet to confirm that all dogs owned by the breeder are up-to-date on vaccinations.
Additionally, ask for references from past customers who are willing to vouch for the breeder’s business practices. If references are offered by a state or national breed club, follow up with those as well.
Treatment and Condition of the Dogs
A reputable breeder will not have their dogs living in dirty, cramped outdoor kennels. Instead, the dogs will live inside with the family. When you interact with the dogs, they should appear happy and healthy, not fearful of outsiders. They should allow you to pet them.
The areas where the dogs spend most of their time should be clean, with fresh water and high-quality food available.
Under no circumstances should you buy a dog from a breeder that you have not personally visited. A reputable breeder will be happy to show you where the dogs live, what they eat, and how they interact with others. In fact, many breeders will require multiple visits before agreeing to sell you a dog. If a breeder refuses to let you visit, move on to another breeder.
Written Contracts and Health Guarantee
A good breeder will provide both a contract and a health guarantee. The contract should protect the best interests of both the puppy and the buyer. It should require that the dog be spayed or neutered (unless it is intended to be a show dog) and should state that if the buyer cannot keep the dog for any reason, it must be returned to the breeder.
All reputable breeders will offer these documents.
Puppies for Sale (but not all the time)
A quality breeder should not have puppies available all the time. Instead, they should maintain a list of interested buyers, screen them, and then contact the buyers when puppies become available.
Additionally, breeders should not offer multiple breeds of dogs. They should focus on one or two breeds and be very knowledgeable about breed standards. They should also belong to breed clubs at the local, state, or national level.
The breeder should be able to answer all your questions about the breed and provide information on potential future health issues the dog may face.
Breeder Requirements for Buyers
A good breeder will be just as selective about choosing a buyer as you should be about choosing a breeder. Here are some things the breeder may require from each potential buyer. If they don’t, it could be a red flag:
- They should ask for a letter from your landlord or housing authority stating that you are allowed to have dogs.
- The breeder may want to visit your home to see where the puppy will spend most of its time.
- They should require that every family member (including other pets) spend time with the new puppy before agreeing to sell to you.
- If you have other pets, the breeder may require a reference from your current vet.
Adding a new furry friend to your family is a big commitment, lasting up to 20 years. By choosing a high-quality breeder, you help ensure that your new pet will be your loving companion for many wonderful years.
