How do I know I've picked a good breeder?

Question

What are things I should look for in a breeder when I buy a puppy? How do I know the breeder I buy a puppy from is good and reputable?

Answer 1

Both parents on site?
How do you expect to find the best stud for your dog? The dog you have at your place may not be the best suited stud for your female. Many reputable breeders use dogs that are out of their state or even out of their country. They want to find the best stud suited for their female.

A good breeder cares about their dogs and shows it. They keep a number of dogs which is managable. They spay and neuter pet dogs. They sell pets on spay and neuter contracts.
They breed to better the breed. They do genetic testing.
They participate in clubs and the parent club.
They are willing to take back a dog at anytime or willing to help find the dog a new home.
They keep in contact with you years later.
They ask how the puppy is settling in and if you have any questions.
They are willing to help you any time you are in need.
They ask a lot of questions and expect a lot of questions from the buyer.
They are chosey with who they sell their dogs to. They want their dogs to get the best home possible. They will turn down a home that isn't the best home.

Golden I would have to agree with you but, who is going to give out negative references? Get my drift? no one is going to give out a reference that is going to say oh i don't like the dog or the puppy isn't what I wanted or the puppy got sick right away when i got it.
Anyway get the references and call them.
Also check better business beaurea for complaints.

Golden: I agree with you 100%. And what you do is great and a good idea. I always say take their references and call them. And yes no one should have anything to hide if they are a good breeder.
I am saying what if a bad breeder gives out just a list of references that were all positive feedback? How would you be able to tell the breeder was bad if they gave out all positve references? How would you know that others weren't satisfied with their puppy or dog?
I am having a hard time explaining this.

Answer 2

Found this article online and it has some good guidelines...

How To Recognize a Responsible Breeder

# A good breeder will only sell a dog under contract, which will set forth that breeder's policy regarding health guarantee, refund/return policy and other rights/responsibilities between buyer and seller.

# A good breeder will be knowledgeable about the breed and the common genetic diseases in that breed.

# A good breeder will offer you support with your new puppy, and always help you place the dog (or take it back) if for some reason you cannot keep the dog.

# A good breeder will be able to show you both parents, and in the case of a male that lives off the premises, will have a photograph and history available.

# A good breeder will carefully screen potential buyers to ensure that the dogs will be placed in an appropriate home.

# A good breeder's kennel or home will appear clean and well maintained.

# A good breeder will be willing to answer your questions about the breed and the appropriate care for your dog.

# A good breeder will be willing to let you see the environment in which the dogs are bred and raised.

# A good breeder will allow you to see the pups but may not allow you to handle all of them. Exposure to many different people can increase the risk of illness in the pups. Only serious buyers should be allowed to handle the pups to limit exposure.

Good Luck!

Answer 3

Got Newfies gave you some great advice. The only thing I can add is get references! Call them and ask any questions you want.
Then make a really informed decision ok Liz!

ADD: Well Poms4life you have a point but if they were my clients I just handed out sheets of previous clients and said here call all of them and see what they have to say. I never edited the list. I always asked my clients if they would mind talking to others first but a Good and Responsible breeder will have nothing to hide either! So why not get references too?
Edit2: Ok I see what your saying. No there is no way to be 100% sure your not being given names of of everyone the breeder has sold a pup to but then if you have any bad feelings in the first place than you probably shouldn't deal with that breeder in the first place. I also gave my Vets phone number and name to all who wanted it too. It was also printed on all my information. so a call to them would help too. Your right I wanted and encouraged feed back from my clients I know many breeder who do the same as I did. I guess you just have to look for those breeders, there not to hard to find.

Answer 4

Try to check out the breeder's reputation amongst their peers. Have a look for a local (city, state, etc.) club for the particular breed you're interested in and contact a number of different breeders. You'll find that most will know of other breeders in the area, and that most will be only too happy to warn you who to steer clear of.

Their attitude towards you is also a good indication. A good breeder cares about their dogs and wants to make sure that all pups go to good homes. They should ask questions about how the puppy is going to be cared for, whether you've other animals, whether you've got young children, the amount of time you can commit to training and caring for the pup and so on.

They should be happy to let you view the parents, and should give you access to pedigree information and the results of screening tests for any inherited problems. All animals should be clean and well cared for, and of good temperament. Pups should be bright and energetic with no signs of illness, and you should get a health guarantee. They should be wormed and vaccinated to a level appropriate for age, and no pups should be given to their new homes before 8 (and ideally about 10) weeks of age.

Something I feel to be important also is that the breeder should give you time to consider your decision carefully. Any breeder who tries to push you into selecting and purchasing a pup 'on the spot' is one to be avoided like the plague!

Answer 5

When it comes to my breed of choice, which is a Border Collie, it is very important the both sire and dam be proven good herding dogs, or at least headed in a good direction in training. To me, a BC isn't a good BC if it can't do the job it was bred to do.

Beyond that, the breeder I work with needs to have all the proper clearances done and assure the same of the sire. Again, with my breed that means OFA, CEA, TNS and preferrably DNA testing.

The breeder I am acquiring my next pup from has her soon to be dam in the conformation ring and doing well there. All this breeders dogs do herding, agility, obedience, etc... Her dogs are well rounded and excelling in a variety of dog sports. This shows me that she is putting time and effort into other things, beyond conformation, which I personally feel is also important.

Answer 6

I also give a lot of credit to the "gut"...some breeders I was talking to looked fantastic on paper, but something about them just made me uncomfortable and extremely hesitant. A couple other breeders I talked to sounded fantastic, and made me realize that if I ever got a puppy, it would be from these people. You can't rule out trusting your judgment as one of the major factors of choosing a breeder.

Answer 7

I agree with what Justin said but would like to add that a good breeder will ask you as many questions as you ask them. If they aren't happy with your answers they will refuse to let you have a puppy. It sounds a bit harsh but a good breeder wants to know their precious puppy is going to the perfect home and isn't just interested in the money.

Answer 8

They have health clearances for ALL breeding stock, they breed one breed, they have dogs that conform to the breed standard and therefore show the dogs, they offer a health guarantee, they will always take the dog back, they do not breed a female more than once a year, they do not breed until all health clearances are done, they WANT you to come and visit, the dogs and house/kennel are clean, they have references from other pups sold, they will answer even the strangest question from you years later, they are people you can get along with for the next MANY years, you dog philosophy and theirs mesh.

A LOT of great breeders do not have both parents on site. Many of us breed to males that live NO WHERE near us. With the shipping of semen nowdays, all you may get is a picture of the male. But, all his health clearances should be made available to you, as well as the name of the people that own him.

Way to go Justin!!! Replace the BAD answer with a CUT & PASTE job!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 9

There are several things you should look for at the kennel and questions you should ask the breeder and questions the breeder should ask you. I have a page on my website about choosing a reputable breeder and about choosing a healthy puppy. Check them out, they might help.

http://www.standardpoodlesusa.com/breeder.html

http://www.standardpoodlesusa.com/Choosing-A-Healthy-Puppy.html

Answer 10

First of all, if it is a pure breed, make sure all her/his paper are in order. Second of all, don't go to the "puppy mills" where they pump out puppies like cars. Puppies there have serious health complications. And third, try to see both the mom and dad of the puppies because puppies often inherent behavior from their mother and father. GOOD LUCK!!!!