My husband and I are looking to buy a mini dachshund and I've been researching breeders in our area, but I've never bought a dog before. I don't know what to look for, the questions to ask. I don't want to support an irresponsible breeder who is only after money or get a dog that isn't healthy. What kinds of questions should I ask a breeder and is there anything I should be looking for in particular when selecting one?
2007-09-20 08:26:15 · 9 answers · asked by tnk3181979 5 in Pets ➔ Dogs
I'm sure someone will post some great websites, but in the meantime.
First of all, make sure YOU know as much as you can about the breed and potential issues. Some people can spin quite a line to make themselves look good, but it won't fool someone that is knowledgeable. But good breeders LOVE educated buyers.
You want to ask them about the breed and potential health problems or behavior issues. If they tell you that this breed is perfect, find somone else. If they tell you they've NEVER had a health problem, they're either lying or they haven't been breeding long. Feel free to ask if the parents have any titles, or any health testing. A good breeder won't mind you asking.
Avoid a breeder that seems to be trying to sell you on a pup. You want a breeder that is careful where their puppies go, and is not anxious to make a sale. If the breeder wants to know about you and seems to be putting you through the third degree, that's a good thing. You should be able to see their dogs (not just the mom and pups) and where the dogs live. Make sure that the ADULT dogs are the kind of dog you want to live with. Naturally, the place should be clean and ALL the dogs should be well-kept.
Avoid a breeder that "always" has puppies available. Also avoid anyone with more than two, or maybe three (at the most) breeds. It takes a lot to learn the ins and outs of just one breed, generally a breeder that sticks to one breed only is your best bet.
Watch out for anyone promoting "rare" colors. While you can get some beautiful and unusual colors in dachshunds, and good breeders may get those colors, a good breeder does not breed FOR color but rather for quality. And they would not promote a color as "rare" or charge more for it.
While many sites will tell you to see both parents, it is actually more common for a good breeder to use a stud belonging to someone else in an attempt to improve their line. If the stud lives nearby you should be able to visit him, if he's far away they should have pictures.
It's preferable to go to a breeder that competes with their dogs, either in the show ring or in den trials (both is best). This way it's more likely that the breeder knows what they are doing, is using quality dogs, and has a goal when breeding (not just to have pups).
They should also be a member of at least one breed club, preferably the Dachshund Club of America or the National Miniature Dachshund Club.
DON'T look at puppies until you have selected a breeder. Puppies are too hard to resist, even when you know better.
http://www.dachshund-dca.org/responsiblebreed.html
http://www.geocities.com/bluegracepwd/wheretobuy.html
http://dogplay.com/GettingDog/index.html
2007-09-20 08:49:23 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 0⤋
Start by going to www.akc.org and looking up the National breed club for the breed. Then they can put you in touch with your regional breed club and breeders affiliated with the breed club. Though there's no guarantee, if a breeder bothers to be active in the breed club, then they are interested in breeding to the standard, showing and quality of pups.
Also use the AKC site and other sites to research the breed, potential health problems associated with the breed and screening that should be done for the parents. Then you can ask the breeder about whether those screenings were done and actually see the results. Of course any litter should be AKC registered and you should be able to see the parents (at least the mother), the litter and the facilities in which they are being kept. Temperament of the parents is also another good thing to inquire about.
2007-09-20 08:37:43 · answer #2 · answered by ? 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Thank you Thank you Thank you!
OK go on the AKC Website and look up the breed standards for your new precious.
Then look for organizations that support the breed of your choice for more information - blood lines, sports you can do with precious etc.
Attend rated dog shows and watch and listen. Introduce yourself to the showers - acknowledge that they are busy but would the share contact information with you to discuss puppies. No doubt they have at least a business card.
Talk with several of these devoted folks - make friends with them. Ask questions - even basic questions.
then when you find a breeder you feel comfortable with - buy your precious - don't quibble about the price either. By that time you'll have seen how little $$ a reputable breeder makes from puppies.
2007-09-20 08:37:30 · answer #3 · answered by Barbara B 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Go to AKC.org and use their breeder referral for a start.. you can also check out the breed club for a breeder referral.
A reputable breeder shows or works their dogs and earns titles on their names to proove that the dogs can do what they were bred to do, or to proove that they fit the breed standard.
A reputable breeder does health testing "he sees the vet every year" isnt good enough. Ask for OFA or PennHip ratings. Also ask for CERF ratings. If the breeder is unable or unwilling to show these.. look elsewhere. OFA is for testing for orthopedic disease.. PennHip is for hip displasia. CERF is for eye disorders. These are important to be sure that breeding stock does not have genetic problems to pass on to future generations.
Look for a minimum 1-2 year health guarantee. A reputable breeder should also be willing to take back a pup at any time in its life if you are unable to care for it any more. A reputable breeder should also be more than willing to answer questions and give advice about the breed.
2007-09-20 08:35:49 · answer #4 · answered by Nekkid Truth! 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
http://www.bmdco.on.ca/puppy_information.htm#reputable%20breeder This is a link, not to your breed, but gives good info on finding a reputable breeder and most of it can be applied to any breed you are looking in to.
Also, find the parent club nearest you and ask for referrals to breeders from there. You will be more likely to find a good breeder this way.
ADDED: http://www.dachshund-dca.org/ Here is the parent club link, you should be able to locate a club near you from here, or at least breeders that are members of the club.
2007-09-20 08:38:16 · answer #5 · answered by Shadow's Melon 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
i am a breeder for over 20 years..i recommend www.breeder.net......in your local area...just ck them out by going to their home several times...try to fine a breeder that breeds and keeps their dogs as a member of the family..not in a kennel ...general a breeder who has only a limited amount of dogs and do it fo rhte love of the breed only...there is no money or profit in breeding dogs if you are honest and do what is best for the pups
2007-09-20 12:41:48 · answer #6 · answered by dreamsugar1 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
What genetic testing have they done?
What is their reason for breeding dogs?
Are they willing to take a puppy back if it doesn't work out or at least help the owner find a new home for a puppy?
How do they keep their dogs?
2007-09-20 10:09:22 · answer #7 · answered by Silver Moon 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Thank you for doing your research before buying!! This is a pretty thorough article about how to recognize a good breeder and what to ask:
http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=124633686&blogID=219638337&MyToken=685d8788-3666-4a1e-a86b-64413c73c5e0
2007-09-20 09:44:19 · answer #8 · answered by Linda D 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
check out www.akc.org
2007-09-20 08:35:18 · answer #9 · answered by rojo_jojo 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋