How to Choose a Dog Breeder

You've done your research and found the perfect dog breed for you. Now what? It's time to choose a breeder. With all the problems with puppy mills, you may wonder how to find a reputable dog breeder. After all, puppies are enough trouble without having to worry about problems caused by a bad breeder.

~Ask Around

The best breeders are found by word of mouth. Talk with friends and family to see who they went to. You can also check at animal shelters and veterinarian offices. Vets will definitely know about certain breeders in your area since a good breeder will be a frequent visitor for check ups and shots for their dogs.

~Avoid Low Price Offers

Anytime you read about a breed being sold at extreme discounts, you are more than likely hearing about a puppy mill. Breed prices should be roughly the same among all reputable breeders. Discounts haven't at retail stores, not with breeders and their puppies. Whereas you may save money at first, the odds are you will spend much more on vet bills and you are still likely to loose your new baby early on. Spend the money now and you will have a loving healthy puppy.

~Check References

When you find a breeder, ask for references. See how the dogs others have purchased are doing. Also, see if the breeder is part of a national breeder club. This can be check through the American Kennel Club's website. A good breeder will be listed with the AKC and will have no qualms about introducing you to some of their clients.

~Know Your Breed

Research your breed carefully so you know what questions to ask the breeder. A good breeder will have no problems answering your questions. The more the know about the breed, the more likely they are to be a reputable breeder.

~Check the Parents and Facility

Make certain you meet the dogs the breeder is using. Ask for history on not only the female, but the male as well. The breeder should be able to provide a good genealogy of both dogs. Good breeders will only breed dogs with a good history, meaning healthy and good temperament. Also, check to see how many litters the female has per year. Having too many litters is unhealthy for the mother and the pups. A good breeder truly cares about their dogs and will only have one to two litters per year.

The facility should be welcoming and clean. If they hesitate to show you around and introduce to their dogs, then you should walk away and find another breeder. The way they treat their dogs and run their business is a good indication of what type of breeder they really are.

~Other Questions

Ask the breeder what vaccinations and checks are done on the puppies. A good breeder will have all shots completed up until the time they are purchased. Any puppies with a history of illness will have been checked out and cleared by a vet.

Ask if there is a money back guarantee. Good breeders really care about their dogs and puppies. If something is wrong, or you decide you just don't want the dog, a reputable breeder will happily refund your money and take the dog back.

A good breeder will ask about you. They may also want to visit your home. This means they want the puppy to go to a good home. If they don't ask questions about you, then you should be wary.

Good breeders are fairly easy to find. Ask around and research the internet. Use common sense and instinct when choosing a breeder. If for any reason, you're not 100% comfortable with the breeder then go to someone else. After all, you want the dog of your dreams, not your nightmares.