What's most important to you when buying a puppy?

Question

When you call a breeder about their puppies, what are some questions that you'd like answered? What do you listen for when you ask about a puppy that you are interested in buying? What's the biggest selling point that a breeder does that would make you buy a puppy from them? I'm intersted in getting a puppy for my son and I want to know what to ask and what I should expect for answers. Any help would be appreciated!

Answer 1

First, do you know what kind of puppy you want to get? Did you research the breed and know its AKC standards? Do you know what is require for that specific breed? How much exceresise? How much grooming? What its intellegence level is? How the breed gets along with other animals and children? What the remperment is? Make sure that you are a goo fit for the breed you are planning to buy. Do this first, because any reputable breeder will want to know that you are prepared to take on the new puppy. I have turned down several people for my babies because they didn't know anything about the breed.

Now, once you are sure that you know what you want and are sure it would be a good fit, here are some of the questions that you need to ask the breeder:

1. Do you have both parents on site? -- This lets you see both parents and see how they behave. This is a good indicator on how the puppy will act.

2. Are the parents and puppies AKC?-- If not, run!!! AKC has some of the strictest guidelines of any of the registries. Most dogs that are not AKC (and even some that are) should never have been born because they are very poor quality.

3. Are the parents current on all shots and are currently on Heartworm perventitive? -- Shows that the parents are well cared for.

4. Have all of the proper genetic tests been done on the parents before mating? -- Shows if there are any potentail serious genetic defects in the lines.

5. What type of health guarentee does the puppy have? -- Most reputable breeders have a return or refunf policy if the puppy has health issues.

6. What kind of contract must I sign to get the puppy? -- If there is no contract, RUN! This shows they really don't care who gets the puppy as long as they get money!

7. Will the puppy have its first shots and be wormed? -- This is a MUST!

8. How many litters has she had? How many litters do all of your dogs have per year? -- If she has had more than 4 litters, I would be concerned. If she has had more that 3 litters in two year, Backyard Breeder, RUN! If she has several litters a year out of very few dogs, STAY AWAY! Use some common sence. A dog really shouldn't have more than one litter a year. However, accidents happen, but more than three in two years means she was bred every time she went into heat.

9. Are the parents concidered pets? Do they have free run of the house? -- If they are outside only, or contained to a small area of the house, they may not be well socialized. I would be very wary.

10. So you have references from your vet, neighbors, and people who purchased puppies from previous litters? -- References are so important, so that you know how others feel about the breeder. If the breeder refuses, then you should stay away!

Finally, make sure that you inspect the property where the breeder has the dogs. See how they interact with other animals, and yourself. You can tell by looking at them and interacting with them if they are well cared for.

Also, don't be surprised if the breeder asks you for some things too. I always ask for references, a letter from the landlord if they do not owm their own home, if they have done their research, how they plan on house-breaking the dog, and who would be their primary vet.

Good luck! If you have any more questions, feel free to e-mail me!
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Answer 2

When purchasing a pup don't make any decisions over the phone. Make an appointment and see the pups first hand. Talk to the breeder and look around. Any reputable breeder will be happy to show you the parents papers, health certs and veterinarian history. I also, provide my buyers with my vets name and number to check up on me. Make sure the place is clean and well cared for. A lot of breeders don't like buyers to see the dam because they really can look bad after whelping and nursing, some will only allow you to see the Sire. Some will only have the dam on site. I guess what is most important is that gut feeling you get. If anything seems wrong it probably is. A good breeder will check you out not just try to sell a pup. Have a sales contract and read it very carefully. Find out if there is a spay/neuter contract as well. What happens if the pup gets ill? How long is the health of the pup guaranteed for? Tyke, is right when she says look at the sale as if you were buying a car. Too much emotion and Ewwwwwww isn't it sooooooo cute will burn you every time. Also, check the pups out. If they appear shy or aggressive, look elsewhere. A pup should be playful and friendly.

Answer 3

definitely talk to the breeder on the phone or you could waste alot of time visiting bad breeders.

1. Ask about the parents. they should be registered, have genetic tests done (like OFA on hips), and they should have a solid pedigree (that means champions spread through the entire pedigree, not just one ch. 3-generations ago).

2. Ask about the conditions the dogs are kept in. (the house, kennels, the backyard...etc)

3. Ask how many breeding dogs the breeder has. if the breeder tells you he has one male and 6 females...and none of them are champions...you need to go somewhere else because they are just breeding for money with no concern about quality.

4. A quality breeder will ask you many questions as well. if they just ask you if you "want a boy or girl and do you have the money", then you need to look somewhere else.

5. Go visit the breeder and meet the parents, aunts, uncles, and cousins if you can. they should all closely resemble each other and that way you know what your pup will probably look like when it gets older. don't worry if the dad is not there, just ask for the pedigree and pic of the stud (many breeders frequently use outside males).

6. Ask to see the "puppy contract". it should lay out the health guarantee very clearly, and protect both the breeder and the puppy buyer. if there is no contract, walk away.

there is so much more i could tell you, but it would take forever.

Answer 4

You can get a lot of questions answered over the phone, but make sure you can visit their kennels. What you see can be just as important. For example, are the puppies raised in the house with a family, or in a kennel? Can you meet the parents (and any other relatives on-site)? Their temperaments and size can give you an idea of what to expect. Ask the breeder about the dogs' health. Are there any genetic diseases that have come up in their lines? If so, your future puppy may be at risk. Are the dogs kept in a clean environment? Are they well-mannered with a good temperament? Make sure the parents were health-tested before breeding, and ask to see the papers. Depending on the breed, you may want to see papers clearing the parents' eyes, hips, elbows, etc.

If you are not able to visit every kennel you're interested in, ask if they have a website, and ask as much of the above (and more!) as you can on the phone.

All breeders should be knowledgeable about the breed they raise. Can they answer all your questions about the breed in general? About their dogs and accomplishments specifically?

A responsible breeder should question you just as hard as you question them. If they care where their puppies are homed, they will ask about your housing situation (apartment, house, large yard, fenced pools), children in the family, other pets you may have, etc.

Remember, responsible breeders breed to improve the breed. They will not shove a puppy in your arms, take your money and push you out the door. Keep in mind also that if a dog is registered with the AKC, it does not necessarily mean it's a high-quality show dog. All that means is that it's a registered purebred.

By doing a lot of research on breeds you're considering, you will probably figure out what's most important to you. These are the things you should ask about specifically.

Good luck in your quest for a new family member! If you have any other questions, let me know!

Answer 5

The puppy should have the first set of shots and a health certificate from the vet. The puppy should not be going home with their new family until they are at least 8 weeks old. Ask how long they have been breeding! NEVER buy from a back yard breeder!! Always look for a breeder who has a reputation with AKC. Look at all the dogs they have Are the kennels clean, do the dogs look healthey!! What kind of food do they feed, if it from the grocery store it is no good and they probley are a back yard breeder!!

Ask how old the parents where the fiorst time they where breed. If the parents where not at least 2 preferably 3 yaers of age before they where bredd then that is another sign of a back yard breeder!! Ask to see the hip certifacation of the parents! Ask to see the health certifacates of the parents!

Hope all theis helps!! The other thing is you can goto the shelter and adopt a great unwanted dog! Mutts are great pets and you would be giving an unwanted animal a home!! What a great feeling!!

Answer 6

Watch all of the pups that you have to choose from, then take notice to the pups that come to you, the ones that you think show you that they are interested in you, then choose the ones that you like best, you should look in their mouth, check the teeth, be sure that they are in proper alignment, then watch the pups notice if there are any issues with their posture and behaviors, if so ween those pups out of your choices, then think about the sex of the dog if it matters weed through to the sex you prefer, now you are ready to think about color and or markings, ask if it has been to the vet and what the vet had to say about the pup, then make an agreement that you will have your vet inspect the pup within a agreed period of time and if not satisfied you can return the pup, then you should be good to go

I have noticed that breeders focus on sex of the dog, females are usually more expensive, then the blood line of the pup and also the quality of the markings and posture of the pup. If you are just looking for a pet non of this really should matter to you

Answer 7

Ask about the parents. You want to know how often the parents have puppies. You want to go to a good breeder. You want to make sure the put isnt over breed and has any probs. Ask about health problems. What is in the family background and anything you should be concerned about. I'd ask about temperment. How are the parents and how are the other pups? You dont want agressive parents, cause maybe the pup is too. I guess I would just want to know about the background the most. Also ask if the pup has had any shots, what kind and when. Good luck and have fun! :-)

Answer 8

First would be its health. Can they provide a pedigree,AKC papers, health certificate?

Are you after pet quality? Or do you want a dog that is going to be shown? A pet quality does not measure up to the standards of the breed and some breeders, especially back yard breeders, don't cull their litters. Competent breeders put down the pups that are not up to standards. The dogs in pet stores are pups that should have been culled but the owner is after money and is not concerned about the quality of the breed.

The puppy should have all of it's shots, tails docked, dewclaws removed all depending on the breed.

Answer 9

Do the parents have their health clearances..eyes, hips etc? If they don't...don't buy.

Have any of their dogs ever bit someone? What were the circumstances?

Do they have both parents on site, and can you visit them?

Are the pups in the house? Played with by children? How often?

Who is their vet? Call them.

When can the pup come home with you? If it's younger than 7 weeks, it's too young to be away from it's litter/mom. If they say you can take him at 6 weeks..it's the wrong breeder.

Just a few things....mainly I need to visit the dogs..how they are kept, what their temperments are...socialized with kids is important. Some breeds more than others.

Good Luck!

Answer 10

first of all i wouldnt do much over the phone. go to the breeders home or kennel and ask to see both parents. make sure they are happy and healthy and that you are not buying from a mill. the puppy should be healthy, happy, curious. you should buy a dog based on temperment. if you want a buddy to sit with while watching tv, get a calm dog. if you want a dog to play frisbee with and to run around with, get an exited, playful and hyper pup. make sure you dont bring a puppy home who is less than 8-9 weeks old.