What makes a bad dog breeder?

Question

What should I take caution in when I'm finding a good breeder? What makes a bad breeder? What should I "look out" for? My family has never purchased an animal from a breeder before, so we need to know what to expect!

Answer 1

So many things to look out for when you go to a breeder, but very simply if the breeder is reputable they won't give you vague or unsupported answers to your questions. Read up on the type of dog you are getting, go armed with questions, if the breeder is any good at all they won't mind answering and showing proof to answer you. Also watch for breeders that will buy their own puppies back, I want my dogs to go to a home that is right for them and the owner, so I offer a buy back.

Answer 2

Excellent question. Own a pet shop but will never sell dogs or recommend brokers/breeders. The following is what we tell people looking for a pure breed.
1.AKC registration, championships in the breeding.
2.Breeds for obedience and/or show.
3.Dogs on the property are well maintained, not kept in small enclosures, or on concrete.
4.Will want references before selling a dog, want a spay/neuter agreement and will provide a written agreement with a limited health warranty for up to a year.
5.All first shots have been provided, been wormed, no ear mites or fleas. A vet visit is encouraged within 24 hours of purchase.
6.Will take the dog that has been sold back for any reason free, so the dog doesn't end up mistreated.
7.Most of the time the dogs are raised in the home as family pets and are socialized and working on potty training.
8.The breeder will not be afraid to show the parents or where the puppies are living.
9. As a consumer, you should not pay cash, must get a receipt, written warranty and shot records.
10. Be wary of a group of puppies of different breeds in one pen.
11. Do not meet the dog breeder anywhere away from where the puppies have been raised. That means the breeder is hiding something.
12. A good breeder will have excellent references.

Answer 3

Well not to wear out the shelter idea but I would always check a shelter or a breed rescue before going to a breeder. There are millions of pets in shelters and rescues that need good loving homes to call their own. There are full and mixed breed dogs in both f these types of places. Now if you are determined to go to a breeder then you never want to go to a breeder that does not require spay/neuter contracts on pet quality dogs. You never want to go to a breeder that breeds more than 2 different breeds. Always avoid a breeder that is not recognized by the AKC, or other reputable clubs. Also tour the place first and see how the animals are kept. You should be able to tell on your own if it is acceptable or not. Avoid breeders that do not have contracts that allow you time to have the pup checked by a vet. A good breeder will usually give you 48-72 hours to have the pup checked by a vet of your choiceto be sure it is in good health. If the vet says that it is not a good breeder will buy back the pup and it will state so in the contract. A good breeder will also state in the contract that if you ever cannot keep the dog they will take it back although they may not nesasarily buy the pup back but they will take it back and find it a good home rather than see their dogs end up in shelters and rescues. These are just a few important things to look for in a good breeder. They will also never breed a dog that is not of all the best qualities of the breed. Good luck to you.

Answer 4

Watch out for breeders whose dogs will not come up to you, and instead cower in the corner. If there is a health problem in the breed, the breeder should talk about it openly with you, NOT say "I've never had that problem" maybe they haven't, but they should still be screening parents and puppies for problems!

The puppies should be happy and healthy, and raised in the house, NOT a cage or kennel!

The breeder should show you at least the mother, and if the father is not there, pictures of him.You should be shown pedigrees, and certificates from CERF (Canine Eye Registration Federation (or foundation, I forget...)) and something saying that neither of the parents had hip problems.

The breeder should be friendly, and if you feel that you couldn't call and ask a simple question, don't buy from them!

They should make you ign a contract saying that you will spay/nueter the dog and that if for some reason you cannot keep the dog, they will help you find a home for it or take it back.

Answer 5

A good breeder only breeds a girl once a year and they be over 2 years old. I would only purchase from a breeder that has shown and is succesful because these people are looking for what matters most, the conformation and temperment. If your just buying from a person that breeds puppies, they are usually doing it for the money. Alot of people seem to think just because a dog is registered he is worth alot of money and is a "good" dog, but face it, all you need is two purebred parents and wall-ah you've got a "akc" dog. Good breeders take off dewclaws of all 4 legs. If its a breed with a breed standard they take off the tails. As far as cropped ears go, I dont support it. I have a great dane and I can't imagine how ugly he would be without his cute floppy ears. Good breeders usually do a interview with you and make you fill out extensive paper work to decide if you are cut out for this type of dog and if they can pair you with the right puppy. Reputable breeders don't advertise in the newspaper or sell to petshops and they won't sell to just anybody. To find them, you can go to dog shows, look them up on the internet or word of mouth, i'd suggest searching the AKC website. If a dog is UKCI (universal kennel club international), it isnt anything special, because mutts can be registered to this club (cockapoos, labradoodles, yorki poo's etc...) and if any club accepts those breeds, they are rubbish. AKC has sense not to support bad breeding. Which by the way, people that breed these "designer" dogs are bad breeders all the way for breeding mutts in the first place and selling them for $1500 with false advertising that they are "hypoallergenic", no dog is hypoallergenic. Always look for references when purchasing a puppy. If you want to get a quality dogs they are always far more expensive then bad quality, sometimes over $1k. But breeders have you sign contracts saying you will not breed the dog aka "just a pet" and those puppies are often cheaper. So please do research before picking the puppy of your dreams because think in the long run of vet bills, feeding etc.... It is most important to get a good quality large dog because like my great dane, which was cheap, he has had two knee surgerys, is deaf, agressive towards other dogs (he just snapped one day, he had great socilation as a pup), used to be very human aggresive, stomach issues, prone to bloat and massive seperation anxiety, and he is only 2 years old. So I learned my lesson getting a cheap great dane- as I do expect many more vet bills in the future. Good luck to you and do lots of research.

Answer 6

Make sure the place is clean and that the dog are love and good taking care . Good breeder are involve in the betterment of the breed .They will give you a good guarantee . The dog they breed have be check by vet ( x-ray if need to be depending on the breed). They will assist you all alone with any concern you may have. NO excuse should be gives for a dog in bad condition or bad temperament ! Contact breed club there know how are the good and bad breeder.

Answer 7

Make a list of questions to ask the breeder.

Will they let you see the Sire and *****? If not, walk away.
Will they let you visit the puppies to see what kind of living conditions they are in, if they are healthy and playful, and which of them you'd prefer to have? If not... walk away.
Does the breeder have documentation that both parents were healthy and do not have any congenital genetic defaults? If not.... walk away.
Are they listed through the AKC? Are they part of that particular breed's enthusiast group?
Will they give you references for puppies they've placed in the past? Phone numbers of people who have gotten puppies from them? If not... walk away.
Will they give you the number to the vet they take their dogs and these puppies to? If not.. walk away.
Is the breeder looking to place the puppies before they are 8 weeks old? If they are, walk away .
Do they want to know anything about you? Are they asking YOU questions? They should be concerned with where their puppies are going. IF they don't ask you anything, and htey don't seem to care.... walk away. Quickly. They're probably a backyard breeder, or a well disguised puppy mill.
Are they asking you to sign a contract? Be careful with the contracts. If they ask for partial ownership of the puppy, after payment and everything.... walk away. This is more trouble than it's worth, and if you can convince a good breeder that you're good enough for their puppy, they shouldn' t NEED this clause.
If you're looking for pet quality, are they requiring you to Nueter/Spay? If not.... walk away. All responsible breeders will not allow pet quality puppies to go unaltered.

Look for someone who knows their breed, is enthusiastic about their dogs as pets or family members, as opposed to money or trophies. As them what they feed them and why. Ask them grooming tips. Ask them how big they should get, what their personality should be like...

It's important for your breeder to know!! If they don't know.. if htey don't care... then this is NOT the breeder for you.

If they -do- give you references.... call them! Call their vet. Ask the vet how the breeder takes care of their dogs. Do they get their shots on time? Do they bring them promptly for checkups and treatments?
Call owners of puppies from previous litters. Ask the owners what they thought of the breeder, and how their puppy is doing.

All these things should help you find a good breeder, and should weed out the bad ones -really- quickly.

Answer 8

Breeders who breed their females from the first heat and breed them every cycle after that. These people are in it for the money and care nothing about the dogs. People who breed their females past 6 yr old. Breeders who keep them in horrible conditions, do not take them to the vet. Breeders who sell the pups before 8 wk old. Breeders who seel their dogs to anybody who has the money, not worrying about what kind of home the dogs are going to. Breeders who refuse to let you see the home where they are raised and they want to meet you someowhere else. Of course a breeder can lie to you, but you can check some things like get a vet reference and ask the vet about the breeder. Also get referrals from happy puppy buyers. Breeders who breed mixed breeds, "teacups", etc. Someone who has many breeds of dogs.

Answer 9

No there is nothing wrong with buying from a reputable breeder . You better find a reputable breeder if you are going to get an Akita . Before all you Akita lovers out there get your dander up .They are beautiful majestic creatures but this is not a breed for everyone. Hun, there are reasons why you see Labs everywhere but not the Akita. Most people can not meet the needs of this breed. My sister lives and dies by this breed. Have you done your research on the Akita ? First, they tend not to play well with other animals . They are very temperamental and they might get along for awhile , until one of your animals make they mistake of thinking they are the dominate ones. Heaven forbid if one of them thinks they have the right to eat out of his bowl. I don't where you got the information that the Akita is not an aggressive breed. Are you going to go outside with him EVERYDAY and exercise him to help him keep his aggressions down? To you have the experience to fully train him? If you don't fully train him , I promise he will train you . Do you have enough property so he can stake his territory claim ? Yes, they can be very territorial . You better make sure your property is someone secured . My sister's dog was very well trained but she wouldn't even trust him in a vet's office full of animals. He was too unpredictable . She paid out the nose for a vet that specialized in livestock to come to her house. What I am trying to tell you that children should not do this , it is for the experienced . This is one breed that you shouldn't ask yourself if this breed is right for you , you should ask yourself are right for this breed . I promise you aren't the right owner , he will be in a shelter waiting to be destroyed . I wish you would have read the response giving by an Akita breeder stating all the pros and cons . You might google it and find his response . It was " should I get an Akita" Good luck with what ever you decide.

Answer 10

Look for a clean environment.
Look for well kept dogs..not dogs thrown in cages and left to just breed (hence a puppy mill)
The dogs should be like "one of the family" and treated like a pet and not an object.
Check the puppies over and make sure the puppies all look healthy.
The breeder shouldn't be pushy and try to force you into a sell.

These are some things IMO you should look for. These are some things off the top of my head.