How do we know we are choosing the right breeder to get a dog from?

Question

We're looking for a doberman puppy, and have sent several breeders that are advertising emails, but out of like 5, only one has bothered to contact us back. And the one that did contact us says she doesn't have any pictures of the momma dog or previous pups she's had but has all sorts of pictures of her other dogs.

Answer 1

I don't see how it is "Stupid" or "Lazy" to check out breeders on line.

However, I do not recommend buying site unseen (disasterous). Check out www.dpca.org and www.akc.org they have breeder referral lists as well as information regarding what types of breeders to AVOID all together.

If you are located close to the breeder, go check them out.

A good breeder will have more questions for you than you have for them.

Who doesn't have at least one picture of their dog? Run....don't even bother with the breeder that contacted you!

Answer 2

First, they should be registered w/ the DPCA. Also, many breeders have waiting lists, so if the breeder says everything is spoken for and you have to wait for the next breeder, that is probably a good breeder since their's are in demand. Breeders are very busy, so try contacting everyone again, and by phone if you can. You should be able to see pix of previous litters and both parents. A good dobie breeder will also have the tails docked and dew claws removed, a great dobie breeder will have the ears cropped already before you get the puppy. If you are looking in the US, a puppy from an ethical breeder will cost (usually) at least $1000 (not sure what part of the country you are in, I'm in Ohio).
Based on the info you provided, I wouldn't get a pup from the breeder who contacted you back. Also most breeders don't advertise, check www.akc.org for a list of breeders in your area (if you're in the US, I'm sure the UKC has the same thing set up as well). Hope this helps.
Oh and depending on if you get a show or pet quality, the breeder will give you limited registration abilities. For a pet quality pup they won't let you breed it or recieve its registration papers until after you have shown the dog has been altered.

Answer 3

Go visit them, do not buy online and have a puppy shipped. That way you can be sure you approve of the conditions in which the puppy was raised, and meet the breeder's other dogs to see exactly what you are getting in terms of temperament and conformation. It's best to wait until you find the right breeder too, do not be in a hurry as you are looking at a 10-15 yr commitment.

Answer 4

You ought to make a record of questions to invite the breeder. For illustration how normally do they breed their b****. Ask to peer the mother and father and the stroll via the breeding field. What sort of trying out do they do at the mother and father if any. Sometimes a well pastime breeder is find out how to move however dont confuse a pastime breeder with a byb. Hobby breeders maintain to the normal of the puppy with wellness and temperment being a priorty. The well factor approximately them is they're much smaller scaled and such a lot are raised in a residence enviroment.

Answer 5

This breeder sounds like she is dodging you---do NOT buy a dog from her.

Here is a link to a list of questions to ask breeders. It is from a lab site, but most of the questions are relevant.
http://pleasantpinelabs.tripod.com/Puppy_checklist.htm

Look through your local Doberman club ( find them through www.akc.org) to find a breeder. There are even puppies listed for sale on the AKC site. Keep in mind that just because they are listed on that site it does not guarantee the quality of the dog.

http://www.akc.org/classified/index.cfm

No matter what the pedigree the most important things to look for are temperament and health. If you can't at least meet the mom (and hopefully the dad) don't buy the puppy. Too many unsound Dobies have been bred by unscrupulous people to take a risk. If the mom is nasty/grouchy, then the pups could be too.

Answer 6

A good breeder should:

- Definitely make you fill out a detailed application asking question about your history with dogs
- Perhaps even visit your home
- Be familiar with the Dobe's potential health problems and explain the testing that is done to check for them
- Make you sign a contract stating that you will return the puppy if you are unable to care for it at any point

If they just say "great we have a litter coming up, you can put in a down payment anytime" or something - I would steer clear. A good breeder is picky about their breeding stock, and picky about the buyers who get their prized puppies.

Answer 7

Please, please, do your homework! A reputable breeder should have pictures not only of other dogs they have sold, but of the parents too. You should be able to visit the home or kennel and see the conditions for your self. DO NOT EVER MEET a breeder at any site other than the one where they have been born and raised. You will be surprised how many "breeders" will not meet any kind of standards for clean, well kept kennels, for general health of other animals and in general, housekeeping standards. When looking to add another Italian Greyhound to the family, this area is teeming with "backyard breeders" whom I wouldn't let care for a plant, much less a living breathing creature. I literally walked away in tears from one, as I was scared for the puppy and almost made the mistake of buying it to save it from the conditions it was in (a mistake I would have regretted even more!). Be vigilant and careful. Check references, if they say the are a member of a certain organization, contact THAT ORGANIZATION, many I found had NEVER HEARD OF THEM. They just say it and take the shot you won't check. A reputable breeder will be happy to have you come and inspect the facility, will offer a garantee of health (make sure you take the pup to the vet immediately so you can make sure it is all you have paid for, and check references, check nationally as well as locally. One breeder I looked at had stored some of her animals at her Moms and was a go to for local rescued IG's and her IG's had APPALLING health conditions that were being bred back into the gene pool (like alapicia, hip problems and cateracts). I did my homework, and when I saw that I walked away in tears with my Mom, saying we needed to think about it. And I did, all the way home and for weeks after. She was removed as the go to person for IG rescue and a number of breeders who had placed their leftovers with her found that she had been breeding them with their "issues", although she had promised the breeders that she would give them a forever home and not breed them since they had health defects. Most reputable breeders will not breed a dog they know has health issues or has thrown a pup with one. But they had not done their homework, they took this womans word (she was sweet, but a liar) and they had entrusted her to care for these "leftovers" and "throwaways" instead of putting them down or fixing them BEFORE putting them in her care. She had also promised she would get them fixed, spayed, nuetered and so on. So BE CAREFUL, go look, ask questions and by all means, if something seems a miss, take a pass. Be patient. If you can, try a local shelter for your pet, you'd be surprised how many are purebreds, or look close enough to pass for one. They are in need of a good home and a lot of times, local shelters these days are doing a good job of making sure a dog is basically trained, sociable, some even are housebroken and at a good bargain, already fixed, nuetered or spayed. Their health issues are usually known, not always, but usually, and they will love you just as much as one from the farm, maybe more, because they have been in "doggie jail" as one of my nieces puts it. Good luck with whatever you decide!

Answer 8

you need to make sure you see the pictures of both parents. You also need to request a pedigree of both parents to assure that the breeder has not imbred. If they can not provide you with these items then they are not a good breeder. (You may want to ask what vet the parents see and make sure the parents have no health problems.)

Answer 9

The best breeders are gonna ask YOU a thousand questions, where will the dog live? what kinda fence do you have? what do you want the dog to do?and on and on and on.

I have to admit no pict of mom is a surprize.

Answer 10

Go to your shelter and adopt one of the many many dogs that need a home. I would NEVER buy from a breeder who are only trying to make $$$$ by keeping their poor bitches pregnant. They are creating to the already overgrown population of dogs. There are literally thousands of dogs that will never have a home and there are many fine dogs at the shelters. Use petfinders and I know you can find a wonderful companion. Please Please do NOT go to a breeder !!!!