What questions should you ask before purchasing a dog?

Question

I will be talking to a couple of breeders this weekend, and I want to make sure that I am getting what I pay for. What are some questions that I should ask owners/breeders before I purchase a dog?

Sorry, I will specify a little. I had a sheltie and she passed away in September. I believe I am ready to start looking again, and I found a couple of people who have puppies. One might be a breeder, and the other might just own a couple and had babies. So what should I ask to find out more about them. I know how they act and the type of dog they are because I owned one. She died of Lymphoma at 6. So I was going to make sure I asked all the right questions and tried to pick the healthiest dog. thanks!

Answer 1

okay i am a breeder amd this is the information i would ask if purchasing a new dog..
1. Ask to see the actual pedigrees for each parent as akc condones and registers inbred litter.
go over it and make sure no one is related.
2. if it is a large breed dog, have they had their hips xrayed and what is their ofa reading.
th reason for this is hip displasia is genetic if their rating is good or excellent your pups chances of developing this debilitating disease is drastically lower.
3. What is the temperment of the parents. work with them too thier displacement will reflect in their pups.
4. do they have all of thier shots? and a record of them so you can provide it to you vet.
5. have they had a wellness check with a veterinarian, wher is the copy that should be provided to you.
( a lot of breders don't do this..they are legally required) if they do not and something happens to the pup within 12 months of purchase they are liable for replacing the pup of paying all vet bills incurred.
6.have they had their dew claws removed.
it is a fifth toe locatedbehind the foot and up about 2 inches 4 inches on a full grown dog (again depending on breed)
7. have the pups been dewormed, how many times and what did they use to do it.
the reason for this question is that local store bought stuff doesn't always work the stuff provided by a vet or bought at an animal pet supply store is more effective, but more costly, hence the need to ask. if they tell you they were unable to find it don't believe them you can order it from catalogues and fo to popet store to get it. if they tell you they used nemix this is the best stuff to be used. sigh with relief.
8. How much the asking price should be backed up by great pedigree or else they are just trying to make a buck.

i hope that helped.

Answer 2

What is the asking price of the puppies?

Some breeders will ask the same for pet quality and show potential puppies. Compare prices with other breeders of the same breed and if the price is considerably higher or lower do not hesitate to ask why. Do not hesitate to ask why if there is a big difference in pet and show pups.

Unless there is a visible disqualification or the puppy visibly will not be showing potential, the younger the pup the harder it is to determine show quality. A person who really knows the breed can have a good idea what pups have show POTENTIAL and what may not. Much happens while the puppy grows and that eight week show prospect may not be show potential at 9 months!

And avoid ANY breeder who charges different for males or females or who charges extra if you want a pedigree or registration. It is not that expensive to register a litter so the potential owners can individually register puppies. (Many kennel clubs like the AKC require all litters to be registered by the breeder. Then papers are sent out that are given to buyers of puppies so the owner can register them in their name).

What health tests have been done on BOTH parents of the litter?

Any breed should have hips (OFA or PennHip) eyes (CERF) and ideally thyroid. Then is up to you as potential buyer to know what other tests the breed you are looking at should have. The breeder should be able to show documentations of all tests. Do not blindly accept their word – some dishonest breeders will lie and say all tests have been done.

And if the breeder says there is nothing in the line so testing is not important, avoid this person as well. Some health problems are polygenetic (more than one set of genes involved – not a simple dominant/recessive). Some health problems take years to show fully or may be there but not showing outwardly. For example, some dysplastic dogs never show signs of having it and it is only diagnosed upon testing.

What temperament testing and socialization has been done?

Granted, young puppies should not leave the property due to a growing immune system; however, the breeder should expose the puppies to as many things as possible like vacuum cleaners, children, house sounds, etc. The older the puppy, the more experiences it should have. Has the breeder temperament tested and what method was used? A good breeder will help match the right personality to you. If you are a quiet family and the breeder pushes a dominant pup on you, leave. On the other hand, if you like the look of one puppy and the breeder, after interviewing you, decides it is not the right match, respect that.

What goals does the breeder have with the breeding program and how does the breeder go about to achieve this?

If the breeder breeds just to produce more dogs, for pets only or anything that does not go towards the bettering of the breeder's lines and the breed as a whole, go elsewhere. And if the breeder breeds for working ability first, you could end up with a handful! Look for one who breeds for companionship as well as type and working ability – unless you are looking exclusively for a working dog.

What does the breeder feel are the strengths and weaknesses in the breed and the breeder's program?

The breeder should be open with you about the program and where they hope to go with it. Avoid the breeder who insists there are no better dogs around then his.

Can you see the pedigrees of both sire and dam? Can you see at least the dam?

The sire may not be on site but the dam should be. If not, you could be dealing with a broker (one who sells dogs not bred by that person).

What type of contract does the breeder have for pet or show puppies (it should include a spay/neuter agreement and health guarantee)?

Do not get pressured into becoming contracted to show or breed your dog – even if you do plan to show and possibly get into breeding someday. Everything should be spelled out in the contract. And be wary of a breeder sells you a young puppy that is "definitely show quality." So much happens during growth and development – the younger the puppy; the harder it is to tell show quality. A breeder who really knows the breed can tell if a young pup has POTENTIAL but should not be guaranteeing the dog will be a show dog.

What does the breeder feed the puppies?

You want to try and keep the puppies on the same brand of food. If the breeder uses something you do not, gradually wean the puppy to your preferred brand. If the puppies have no boosters prior to leaving the dam, look elsewhere.

What inoculations have been given?

Eight-week-old puppies should have had their first set of inoculations and you should be given documentation of this. If not, go elsewhere.

Can you get references of previous puppy buyers?

If the breeder will not give them, go elsewhere.

Can you have your own vet examine the puppy before you fully commit?

You may be asked to put down a deposit but you should have the option of having your vet examine the puppy with in a couple days after purchase (always a good idea to have this done and the breeder may require it).

Are you active in any breed clubs (all breed or ideally breed specialty)?

Many clubs have a breeder code of ethics that they want their members to adhere to. Just being AKC registered is not a Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval. It just means the puppy was from registered parents and the breeder has taken the steps to begin the registration process for the puppies. Even pet stores can sell AKC registered pups if the miller registers the dogs. The AKC cannot police everyone professing to be a breeder so again, being and educated consumer is very important.

Use your gut instinct and do not get suckered by cute faces. Remember, this pup will be yours for the next ten years or much longer depending on breed. You should get the best possible puppy possible from the most responsible source you can find.

Many of these questions can be adapted to ask at a rescue as well. Do not hesitate to ask what is know about the background of the puppies (or adult dog), what medical care they have had and has the staff noticed anything about their temperaments that could be of concern? Ask about the adoption agreement and have it gone through carefully with you.

Answer 3

Genetic faults common to this breed... Do a bit of research on this breed to find out what kind of genetic defects may be common. Ask if the breeder has tested the parents for these. One big one is hip dysplasia. If the dogs were properly tested, they will have an OFA score. Ask to see it to prove that it's been tested for. If either parent dog is under 2 yrs, they can't have had this done as it can't be tested for successfully until 2 yrs old. If either dog were not 2 yrs, I wouldn't buy from them and find a breeder who does the proper testing. Under 2 yrs is too young to be breeding.

Ask to see where the puppies and mom are kept. Is it indoors? Is it clean and puppy proofed? That's good. If it's outdoors, question this. Mom and pups should be kept inside the home, not outside in a dog run or the garage.

Ask to see a photo of the sire... Most hobby breeders WILL NOT have both parents on site. It's rare for a hobby breeder to be lucky enuf ot own 2 dogs so perfectly matched for breeding. Unless it is a larger scale kennel where they are breeding to improve and are showing conformation, I would be wary if both parents were on site. If they don't have dad there, a reputable breeder will be able to show you a photo and have proper information on the sire.

Ask how long they have been breeding this breed or if they breed any other type of dog... A good breeder is usually committed to their breed of choice for life. Occasionally they may step to a similar breed, but someone who breeds what's popular at the time is one to stay clear of. They'll breed one kind for 2-5 yrs, then when the popularity and public demands change, they'll switch ot that breed of choice... it's about the money with someone like this. Tho it's not uncommon for a breeder to breed 2 types that are similar, like Border Collies and maybe Austrailian Shephards.

Ask if the pups have had their eyes checked. Something that I believe is supposed to be done by the age of 6 weeks, but not sure if I have the age right.

How old are the puppies they are selling? Are they at least 8 weeks, or at least planning to keep the pups until 8 weeks? A reputable breeder will not let pups leave mom until at least 8 weeks of age.

Does the breeder require a limited registration for pet quality pups? A good breeder will require any pup not deemed show potential to be altered by the new owners. They do this to prevent breeding of the typical backyard breeders. This only means the dog can't be conformation shown and that any litters produced cannot be registered with the akc. You can still do other akc sanctioned events, such as agility and obedience tho.

What registration do they have on the dogs? UKC or AKC are the only 2 that I would consider desirable. Continental Kennel Club (CKC) is a sham registry often used by puppy mills and the backyard breeder types. I would be wary if the breeders dogs are registered with anything but the akc or ukc.

What kind of support does the breeder offer after the puppy goes home with you and what kind of contract is set up in case for any reason, you are unable to keep the dog later down the line. Things happen, people get divorced and living situations sometimes put people in a position where they are unable to keep their beloved pets. In this case, a good breeder will take the dog back and seek to place it in a suitable home. The good breeder does not want to see their pups ever go to rescue or shelters and they care what happens to them. This is why they do this. Also, a good breeder will be there to support you after the puppy has gone home with you. You should be able, at any time during your dogs life, be able to contact that breeder with questions you may have. They'll also make recommendations for training your dog and maybe suggest some good trainers in your area. If a breeder doesn't do either of these things, be wary, they may just be a backyard breeder.

Basically, you want your breeder to be ethical and following ethical guidelines. Here's a link to the AKC website on ethical breeding practices... http://www.akc.org/breeders/resp_breeding/Articles/breeder.cfm

If the breeders you visit don't adhere to these, I would seek out a different breeder. Breeders who do follow these, love their breed, care about what happens to the litters they produce, and want nothing more than to see the pups placed in the appropriate homes.

You should also be drilled by the breeder on questions about your wanting a puppy as much, if not more, than you will be asking them. Those that care, WILL ASK A LOT OF QUESTIONS!

Good Luck picking out a puppy!

Answer 4

Make sure that both parents are on the premises or are nearby and ask to see them both. Be sure that both parents are calm and appear to be healthy. What is the dog's bloodline (then ask the other breeders that you visit their opinion on that bloodline or research it)? Do you have papers on the parents? With which companies are they registered with (if you are interested in breeding your dog or showing them, this is important. UKC and AKC are usually the best) Is there a contract that I have to sign, if so, what are the conditions? Do I need a deposit? Can I contact you after the sale with questions concerning the health? Is there a period in which I can bring the dog back for a refund of my money (a good breeder will usually allow up to 2 weeks for new puppy remorse and at least 6 months for a health guarantee)?

Answer 5

Ask about the history, and health testing (real health testing for breeding, not just a vet check up) done on the parents. ask for references from people who have bought pups in the past. ask for a tour of their facility, they should have no problem with that if they have nothing to hide! a good breeder will be willing to take a pup back at ANY time, even after it is grown. ask about that. try to get a feel for why they are breeding. if it seems like they are in it for the money, steer clear. good breeders want to better their breeds, not make money off them. also, find out when they release pups to new homes. if it is before 8 weeks, run away! good luck.

Answer 6

the dogs temperment there history of injury most likely breed related like do they have hip dysplasia and were there any complications when being breed/ while in labor. And just some questions about hte breed it self. Before you buy the dog ask about the dogs personality to make sure it is compatible and i would go to see them to check out the dog and ask the cost for buying one from them usually different dogs have different costs

Answer 7

also ask about shots, how long they have been breeding dogs and be a little nosy and look around at the environment the dogs are being raises in. if there are just kennels and kennels of dogs DO NOT BUY and report them to the humane society.

Answer 8

It doesn't matter what you ask most likely they will lie.

Rescue they are more likely to be honest with you and work with you and your new pet for life.