How to Find and Recognize a Reputable Breeder of Dogs

If you and your family are searching for a new puppy of your chosen breed, it is time to locate a reputable breeder of dogs in your area.

Where will you find a reputable breeder for your chosen breed? The reputable breeder will not be standing in the grocery store parking lot with a box of puppies for sale. Nor will you see a sign on his or her front lawn saying "Puppies for Sale".

The best way to find a reputable breeder is to do an internet search for the national breed club of your chosen breed. For example, a search using the words "national breed club German Shepherd" will bring up the website for the German Shepherd Dog Club of America. Most national breed club websites will have a page which lists breeders, who are usually members of the club, by their location. If not, they will probably have a contact person's email address listed.

After you have found a breeder in your area, how will you be able to recognize them as a reputable breeder of dogs? Here are some of the signs.

A reputable breeder, also referred to as a responsible breeder, has a love of dogs in general and a dedication to their breed. The reputable breeder is usually a member in good standing with the national breed club. He or she has a wealth of breed related information to offer and is able to answer any questions posed by you, the prospective puppy buyer. The responsible breeder sometimes acts a mentor, helping to educate other owners. Sometimes he or she is involved in the rescue of dogs of the breed and may have even taken in one or two rescue dogs herself over the years when good homes could not be found.

The reputable breeder is not in the business of breeding dogs for the money alone. The reputable breeder also breeds for the betterment of the breed. He or she does not over-breed and does not just breed any two dogs he or she happens to have. Only healthy dogs with health clearances for breed specific predisposed conditions are used. In addition, dogs chosen for breeding will be outstanding dogs who conform to the standard of the breed. The responsible breeder has a selective breeding program in place whereby the sire (father) and dam (mother) are selected with the goal of producing the best possible litter of puppies.

Reputable breeders of popular breeds sometimes have a waiting list of puppy buyers. After the litter is born and whelped, the reputable breeder will allow her puppies to go to their new homes when they are between six and eight weeks of age or older. In addition to having the litter of puppies for you to choose from, the breeder will introduce you to the sire and dam. The responsible breeder will also provide a fourth or fifth generation pedigree of the litter and will have registered the litter with the American Kennel Club.

The reputable breeder will usually divide the litter into two classifications of puppies, show quality and pet quality. Show quality puppies are those that most closely conform to the breed standard. Show quality puppies are usually kept by the breeder for exhibiting at dog shows and for future breeding, or sold to other owners who show dogs. Pet quality puppies are sold to those who simply want a wonderful family pet. This division of puppies has nothing to do with the health of the puppies; both show quality and pet quality puppies will be healthy and hearty examples of the breed. The reputable breeder will never intentionally sell an unhealthy or ill puppy.

The responsible breeder will never sell his or her puppies to pet stores, agents or middlemen. Additionally the responsible breeder will never sell to someone who intends to give a puppy as a surprise gift to another person. The reputable breeder is concerned for the welfare of the litter of puppies and will only sell to those who they feel will be responsible dog owners. Be prepared to answer numerous questions regarding your living arrangements, your lifestyle and your plans for your new puppy. The reputable breeder is not prying into your personal life; he or she just wants to make sure that the new puppy is a good fit for your family. The reputable breeder is interested in meeting the entire family and encourages them to participate in the puppy selection process.

The reputable breeder will have a preprinted contract that you will both sign. In addition to the purchase price of the puppy, the contract will explain the breeder's full or partial refund policy. The contract will also state the guarantee of the puppy's health usually for a period of six months to a year after the sale. For sales of pet quality puppies, an agreement to spay or neuter the puppy is also included. The contract will also state that you, the puppy buyer, agree that if at any time during the puppy's lifetime you are not able to keep the puppy, you must return the puppy to the breeder. The responsible breeder does not want one of her puppies to ever become a homeless rescue dog and end up in an animal shelter or worse.

As you can see, the reputable breeder will remain interested in your puppy's welfare long after the sale of the puppy. He or she will encourage you to contact her with any dog related questions over the lifetime of the puppy. The reputable breeder will be pleased to receive news and photos of your puppy's progress over the years, knowing that your puppy is leading a happy, wonderful life with a responsible dog owner.