New dog: What questions should I ASK to ensure BREEDER is using responsible breeding methods?

Question

I am looking to add a 3rd dog to our family. Our first two are rescues and have taken many years of therapy and training on our part to get them stable. We have decided this time to add a puppy. Specifically, we are considering a cavapoo, cockapoo, or yorkiepoo.

What questions should I ask breeders to ensure that they are responsible? I hear a lot of terrible things about "backyard breeders".

Answer 1

Sorry, but if you are getting a "mix" from a breeder then you won't be finding a responsible breeder. Responsible and delibrate breeding of mixes don't go together.
Breeding of mixes isn't being done to "better" or "advance" a breed, it isn't being done for health or longevity it isn't being done for any real reason or goal in mind other then $$$$$$. Unfortunately the same can be said of most purebreds also being bred.
It is an unfortunate fact that only 10 - 15 % of all purebreds being produced are being produced by responsible, reputable, ethical breeders and no mixes are being bred by responsible,reputable or ethical breeders.
If looking for a mix go to a rescue or shelter instead of lining the pockets of an irresponsible breeders. If you want a purebred..look for a breeder who not only keeps their dogs utd on vacciantions and vet exams but also does genetic testing, temeprament tests, shows/evalautes each dog for breed standard BEFORE ever breeding, researches pedigrees very carefully, has a clear cut goal for improvement in mind, doesn't breed ANY dog before 2 years of age and after 6 years of age, only breeds each female they own once per year,has a health guarantee that extends longer then 2 years (age of which most genetic defects begin to show up), has a take back guarantee for any puppy/dog they produce for life of that dog/puppy, sells ALL pets on spay/neuter and limited registration, only registers with legit registries (AKC, UKC (United Kennel Club), CKC (Canadian Kennel Club) and not with any of the scam registries.

Answer 2

Well, first of all, all of the breeds you are considering are not registerable with the AKC so that means that you're not going to have AKC papers with these dogs. It also means that these breeders are breeding for something other than a breed standard. This always makes me concerned because if they are not breeding to show in AKC shows, then why are they breeding the dog. Most likely reason - money. So that makes finding a 'responsible breeder' breeding these dogs difficult at best.
At the minimum I'd want to know if they know the characteristics of the dogs' parents and what characteristics were they looking for when they bred these dogs. What genetic tests are the breeders testing for to ensure these dogs do not have any genetic problems? don't let them tell you the 'breed' has none. I would also expect a responsible breeder to interview you to ensure you're the right kind of owner for their breed and their puppy and i would expect them to require you to sign a return contract so that if you cannot keep the dog at any point in it's life, it will be returned to the breeder. I would also expect them to require you to sign a spay/neuter contract.
If the breeder does not require anything of you and does not provide some darn good answers to your questions, then walk away!

Answer 3

If possible arrange a day to go have a look at the pups, that way while youare looking at the pups you can also take in the environment of which the puppies live. Breeders usually use same brand food for the dogs to keep an eye on thier allegies, Ask what sort of dog food the pups eat and if they can have bog biscuits because some dog biscuits cause dogs to scratch and bite till their fur falls off. Breeders will also be able to explain the temperament of a dog and if they can't then they may be a back yard breeder, after all they are the ones that are breeding and spend their time with them and should be aware of good or bad behaviour.
I hope this has helped you.

Answer 4

Before you agree to any kind of purchase, ask to see where the dogs/pups are kenneled, do they breed several different breeds or just the one, what do they feed the "parents", can you take a look at the "parents' health certificates, and try to find some references. You can ask the breeders for these as well as going on line to various pet adoption sites and see what kind of feedback you get. Also, when you get to look at the vet's papers,make a note of who the vet is, call them separately and ask for an opinion of that particular breeder. Most will be able to tell you something about them.

Answer 5

It's not so much a question of what you ask-remember breeders are by now used to being asked every question imaginable and by now know all the answers to give.(They are running a business the same as any other).
It's a question of using your eyes.
Look at the standard of hygiene.Any mess left lying around.Any dirty food bowls left on the ground.Look at the dogs.Are they outward going and happy.How much space have they been allocated.Do they appear groomed and in good physical condition.Look at the state of the kennels.
Then ask about diet sheets-every breeder should be able to furnish you with one.Ask about whether they have had all their inoculations and ask to see proof.When buying a puppy ask to see both parents.Look at their dispositions-are they friendly.Your puppy's character is going to be 90% of the 2 of those parents merged into what will be your dog.
Ask how long the breeder has been in business.Ask if he can suggest a couple of names of people who have recently bought puppies from him.
Good Luck with the new one.!!!

Answer 6

Backyard breeders are just as bad as those who think it's acceptable to cross breed and then give the mutt (sorry, if it's not a purebred, then it's a mutt) a cutsie name and pass it off as a dignified breed. It's just not the case.

Not only is it irresponsible but it's also cruel. When people start cross breeding it can cause devastating health problems that will only ruin the dog's lives. Just because it has a cutsie name doesn't make it right.

Answer 7

Here is a link to a site that has checklists to find a responsible breeder.

As someone else said, the dogs you mention are mutts and will come from a backyard breeder, NOT a responsible breeder. Why not just go to your local shelters and adopt, save a life instead of supporting pet overpopulation.

Answer 8

well first of all the three dogs you listed will come from a backyard breeder, so being a breeder myself, I won't give you any ideas on how to get a high class mutt from a backyard breeder. A good breeder wouldn't be mixing the two different dogs to come up with a so call mutt and sale it for 1000.00 as a designer dog.

Answer 9

I'll apologize now, because I know my answer is not what you want to hear!

Any breeder that purposely breeds two different breeds of dogs to create a mixed breed, (a cavapoo, cockapoo or yorkie poo or whatever other "poo" there is), is not a responsible breeder ....(with acception of the only poo there should be, the poodle).

Answer 10

You will never find a responsible breeder who raises the type pups that you mentioned because those are just mixed breeds and responsible breeders will not mix 2 breeds together and sell them as a "designer breed". They are all backyard breeders.