What do I need to look for in a dog when buying from a breeder?

Answer 1

How many other breeds are they breeding?
Able to see dam & sire (if a stud dog is used, he might not be on premises, but insist on seeing him even if by appointment with his owner)
Health testing at least on sire & dam (grandparents also if available)
Pedigrees
Shot records
Conditions the dogs are being kept in (clean fresh water, no crusty food bowls)
Pups whelped in the home.
Pups should be 5-6 wks before visitors come
Pups should be at least 8 wks old before leaving breeders care.
Shot records and worming schedule for pups
Watch to see how the pups interact (not lethargic)
Breeder should be able to tell you about each pups personality.
Beware of pot-belly pups (worms), gooey or crusty eyes, flea infestation.
Ask what type of guarantee comes with a pup.

Answer 2

As a former breeder of Golden's. I felt it was my responsibility to make sure all my pups were in top condition before I even showed them to clients. Now if there was a pup who for was sick with maybe a bladder infection or had a mild heart murmur then those pups were not show to the clients until the medical concerns were over.
But for those who are just starting to look. A breeder should have both parents on premises and be more than willing to show them to you. The area where the pups are should be very clean and have no unpleasant odors. There should be no urine or poop smell anywhere. Are the pups clean, are their eyes bright and clear, no gunk crusted in or around them. Do they have anything crusted in or around their noses? Are the pups well socialized to people? Or do they cower from people? If you pick one up is he or she comfortable being held?
A good breeder should not show pups before 6 weeks of age. I never did. Also I never let small children hold any of my pups, too many accident could happen. I knew each of my pups and their temperment by the time they were ready to be shown to clients. Does the breeder your going to do temperment testing??? do the pups look happy and does the breeder willing to tell you what kind of medications that pup has had? All my pups went home with a health folder signed by me and my vet.
ASK QUESTIONS!!!!! Agood breeder will encourage this.
Look and listen to what the breeder is saying. If anything sounds not right leave and find another breeder for the kind of dog you want.

Answer 3

Sit for 30 minutes, and watch while the puppies are in play. Choose the puppy that gets along, and is liked by the other puppies. Often the one Mom favors, is not the best puppy for a family, as it will likely be the dominant one (or more like dad) or she will prefer it because it is colored most like her..so the relationship to the other pups is important..You want one that isn't biting hard, isn't strutting his stuff, isn't bullying, and isn't shy or whiny..The one right in the middle of the extremes of aggressive or shy is always the best choice for a family..If a person is wanting to show the dog, then the strutting one is the good choice, as they have a better 'ring' presentation..but not usually the best of the pet/companion choices, or to get along with another dog.
I also have found the males to be best with children, as they are *generally* more tolerant and less moody..(many exceptions)

as for the breeder..If you trust them, they can help you choose the best one for your family..However, a good breeder will ask YOU more questions than you can ask them..Stay clear of the breeder that tries to talk you into any puppy using the hard-sell.

Don't choose a pot-bellied puppy, or one that doesn't have bright eyes..

Answer 4

What you should look for in the dog: healthy vigor, friendlyness, and the kind of temperment you'd like to have in a dog. Visit the dogs or pups multiple times to monitor quirks, health, and overall personality.

What you should look for in the breeder: knowledge about their breed, pedigrees and papers, some form of showing, health testing, and a in-depth knowledge of the kinds of dogs the pups or dogs came from.

Answer 5

In addition to the great advice Goldengal gave ask to see actual copies of health testing done on parents ....OFA/PennHip, CERF/PRA, thyroid and other tests that may be pertinent to your breed, show records, pedigree, make sure registration is from a legit registry AKC/UKC/CKC (Canadian Kennel Club) and not one of the scam registries..make sure puppies are not sold before 8 weeks of age and haven't received vaccinations under 7 weeks of age

Answer 6

Make sure they are friendly and active, but not hyper. You want to spend a few hours monitoring the dog and how it plays with it's siblings.

You want to meet both parents and make sure that they are friendly and healthy as well.

Answer 7

Check where they are housed (should be clean), check eyes are clear and no goop coming out them, coat should be clean and look healthy, check ears are clean, just in general the dog should look really healthy and happy, papers dont mean anything if you are not going to breed or show,

Answer 8

Pedigree papers!

Answer 9

health background!!!!! you dont want to purchase a dog that has some kind of disease! check to see how the owner treats her dogs....if they get treated well then you might want to buy a dog...other wise move on

Answer 10

check if they ome from champions
ask for a pedigree chart ( very important)
look at family histories of organs,.. like kidney failure, hip problems...etc