What do I ask a breeder about puppies?

Question

Heres the add :

DOBERMAN Puppies. Red male. Red female. Tails docked. Dew claws removed. Parents on site.


when I call to inquire about them what questions should I ask? I hate getting on the phone and asking pointless questions and have an awkward silence on the phone, haha.

Thanks everyone.

Answer 1

Make an appointment to go spend time with the breeder. You can ask your questions while you are there. The first thing is to ask if they are AKC register. The puppies should be 8 weeks old or older. Firs shots and wormed. Be aware of the area where the puppies were born, The looks of the puppies and how they act towards their owner. Take your time. No breeder should rush you and be willing to answer any question you have no matter how stupid they are. Remember she is watching you as you should be watching her. This is very important.. DO NOT leave with out having the litter papers for the puppy you buy. There is no excuse for the breeder not to get the litter papers back Akc is really good about that. It is good that the parents are on site. That way you can really see how they look. Don't be afraid to ask about the health records of the parents. Ask anything you want if she is not willing to answer you then don't buy a puppy.

Answer 2

Where is this ad? If it's the newspaper or on the internet, chances are about 90% that it's a backyard breeder - someone you want to run away from.

The first thing I would ask would be "Are both parents show or working dogs? Which one is a champion?" as all dogs that are bred need to be top quality. Top quality dogs crate pet quality animals as well, but only a bad breeder breeds non-show/working dogs. If the person says "They have champion *lines*," then confirm that neither parents is being shown, thank the person for their time, and hang up.

Next, I'd ask how long the person has been involved in the competing world and in showing/competing Dobies in particular. Anything less that 5 years is sketchy.

Ask about their involvement in the Dobie Parent Club and the local parent clubs. A good breeder is an active member of at LEAST those two clubs.

If they've made it past that, I'd ask about the specific testing done on the parents and 3-5 generations. You should have done the research to know what should be tested for.

Then, I'd ask if they do a spay/neuter contract and at what age it's required.

I'd also ask about health guarantees and exactly what happens if your dog is found to have a genetic ailment (like dysplasia) in say 5 years. Many good breeders will refund the purchase cost of the dog or offer you another dog.

Ask how involved with the dog they like to be. Some breeders want an e-mail once a year just to touch base, others like to actually see the dog every so often.

The best thing for you to do is to take what you can learn from http://www.dpca.org/ - the dobie parent club and turn it into a list of questions. Be sure to read the code of ethics area and the links at the bottom of the breeder referral page. From there, http://dogplay.com/Breeding/ethics.html has a ton of great information on it that you can use.

Remember, a good breeder will most likely have more questions for you. A breeder who just wants your money should be avoided at ALL costs.

http://www.geocities.com/bluegracepwd/wheretobuy.html

http://64.37.122.206/Info/questionstoaskabreeder.asp?menu=Info (different breed, but outlines some questions that you can modify).

Answer 3

* Is the breeder experienced with the breed of puppy you are choosing? Can she answer any questions you have? Will she stand behind the puppy if problems arise? * Has the breeder explained all the pros and cons of the breed you have chosen? Every dog has good and bad characteristics and the breeder should make you aware of them. * Does the dog breeder have your puppy’s papers in order? You and the breeder should have a contract that you both sign, as well as a pedigree. *Ask the breeder if the puppies have been de-wormed and vaccinated. If they have, the veterinarian would have issued a report stating exactly what was done. * Has the breeder begun to socialize the puppies? If the puppies have spent time with humans and have been given proper care, attention and training, it will be obvious in the puppy’s reaction to you. It’s imperative that puppies become socialized at a very early age.

Answer 4

Being a breeder myself I have heard all sorts of questions.
Ask about the dams and sires pedigree and to see a copy of it so you will know if the pups come from a complete out cross or are they a line breed.
Temperment of the parents. Has the pups temperment been tested and the result their of.
Was the litter registerd with AKC or UKC, and will they give you the forms to appply to register your pup. Make sure you see proof of this.
Do the parents have a good working backround, do they have any championships (titles).
How old were the parents when bred, you don`t want them bred in their first season.
Will the breeder supply or give the first round of shots.
Will the breeder micro-chip the pup.
If you want to show this pup will the breeder be co-owning the dog with you.
And again if you want this dog for breeding purposes will the breeder be co-owner and what will they want in the future when the dog is bred. And what will be the requirements of titles before the dog is bred. We ask that any of our girls out there have at least their conformation title and one working title before we allow it to be bred. As well we want to do a backround check on the stud dog before we allow the breeding.
Make sure you have a contract that is signed and witnessed by both parties.
I find these to be the most pertinent of questions, if you need any more help you can contact me through my profile.
Good Luck
Floren DeWaard
Wiley Creek Kennels

Answer 5

Ask if you can come see them. If no, go elsewhere. Ask if you can meet the dam. Ask if you can meet the sire. It isn't a bad thing if you can't meet the sire as some people send the bitches for breeding or even import semen from overseas because they only want the best studs but you should be able to at least meet the dam. Ask about the parents health clearances. If there are none, don't even bother. Ask what the parents are like. Ask what kind of socialization the pups have had. Ask what they are being fed. You want decent quality food at least. Ask what diseases run in the lines. If the breeder says none then go elsewhere. ALL dogs carry for something and a good breeder knows exactly what is in their dogs' lines. Ask if she has a contract/guarantee. You can get one with any good breeder that will protect you, the dog, and the breeder. If you would like to see a sample contract feel free to e-mail me through this site and I'll send you mine. All of them vary but it will give you an idea of what they are like.

Answer 6

First of all a legitimate breeder will be asking YOU the questions. Do you rent or own, how will you care for the animal, what do you know about the breed and how do you intend on taking care of the dog. However, a backyard breeder won't care if you live in a card board box as long as you can pay them the $500 for the dog they are all set. I would research ANY breed before you go out and get one.

I have attached a website that gives you a checklist of questions you need to ask a breeder. Its for Alaskan Malamutes but you can use it to suit your purposes.

I have purchased a weim puppy from a back yard breeder, and like most people was ignorant on the breed and what questions to ask. Since getting the puppy I have thoroughly researched the breed and read many books on the subject, I read everything I could get my hands on as far as training and raising a weim. The next time I will be better informed.

Good Luck.

Answer 7

i would ask if there is an id in it and if its had its first shots
then if the breeder has any history of very sick animals
ask about markings and parents personalities, you don't want aggressive parents because it could go onto the dog.
ask about the environment a bad one can affect its personality
ask about its age. i suggest you get them at 3 months
make sure they are good with kids females males and other dogs
also make sure you get the papers

i hope this helps
always remember puppies will chew alot because they are teething and dont get worried if its teeth start falling out its just their baby teeth

Answer 8

Always ask if they have had their shots and if they have been wormed.You might also ask if this is the females first litter,and if not how many times she has been bred.That way you know if they are a good breeder or if they are constantly back breeding just for profit.If that's the case you can run in to alot of health issues.

Answer 9

ask: When where they born? Where there any problems with the birth? have the parents been fully vacinated? Whats the weight of the puppy at last visit to the vet?

Answer 10

There are some good websites out there with a whole list of excellent questions:

http://www.qualitydogs.com/choosingbreeder.asp
http://www.dogplay.com/GettingDog/where.html#sense
http://www.canismajor.com/dog/responbr.html#Qbred
http://www.pageweb.com/graenit/breedfaq.htm#LitterQuest
http://www.phouka.com/puppy/bdr_questions.html