How to Find a Reputable Breeder
How exciting! You and your family have decided to add a new puppy to your household- you have selected a breed by doing research to see if that dog's traits will fit into your lifestyle and now you are at the point of trying to find a healthy, well adjusted puppy. This is easier said than done. My first piece of advice- just because you are excited by the idea of snuggling with that cute puppy DO NOT RUSH it. Take your time to find a reputable Breeder and it is important to be educated on what red flags to look out for when selecting your puppy.
Red Flags- Their are lots of scammers who prey upon people by getting deposits for puppies. They show off photos of beautiful puppies they steal from other people that they do not actually have- take your money and disappear. There are also unfortunately many “backyard breeders" (Uneducated Breeders who produce puppies without objective of health and temperament) and “Puppy Mills” (Commercial breeders who mass produce puppies to make as much profit as possible with no concern for conditions that the dogs are kept in, health, or temperament). Be also aware that many Amish breeders are actually “Puppy Mills". You will probably notice that the breeder is producing many different popular breeds. This is a red flag. Remember, although it may tug on your compassionate heartstrings, buying a puppy to rescue it is ultimately supporting the industry to keep producing puppies in unethical ways. If you suspect abuse, report it right away to the local authorities.
No matter the breed, there are always certain questions I would would ask before commiting to a breeder.
The breeder should be very knowledgeable regarding the breed standard- this can be found written through the American Kennel Club. In fact a good way to get a lead for a reputable Breeder is to visit your local kennel club. The highest regarded achievement from the American Kennel Club for a Breeder is an award called a Breeder or Merit. In order to even be considered, the breeder must have a history of at least 5 years involvement with AKC event; Have earned AKC Conformation, Performance or Companion event titles on a minimum of 4 dogs from AKC litters they bred or co-bred; Certify that applicable health screens are performed on breeding stock- these are just a couple of the requirements to be considered.
Ask the breeder what kind of temperaments their line carries. Are you looking for a working dog? Just because a bloodline has done well in show and confirmation, it doesn't necessarily mean that they have a beautiful temperament for the family and are great with kids. Also remember, pure bred dogs may have pure bred drive- if you are getting a breed from the Sporting or Hunting group, are you prepared to fulfill that dogs needs so they do not become destructive in the home or run away because they are following their nose instead of listening to you? These are all questions you should ask yourself when selecting a breed- but also temperament questions you should ask the breeder. The breeder may provide you with references to owners from past litters, perhaps puppies who have been trained in therapy or service work or titles that dogs in their line have won. Titles such as AKC Canine Good Citizen, Obedience titles, and Trick dog titles just to name a few. Titles would indicate socialization and trainability of the breeders bloodlines.
Are both the sire & dam available to meet? The temperament of the parents and even sometimes grandparents would be a great indicator of what your puppies temperament will be like- are they shy, outgoing, affectionate, confident, stand-offish? If the dam is very nervous or aggressive this may be a behavioral issue you may be confronted with as your puppy matures.
Health Testing- one of the most important objectives the breeder you select should have is creating healthy puppies. Reputable breeders will include a health guarantee for a minimum of one year. They should have extensive DNA testing clearing the sire and dam of any genetic diseases or conditions. OFA Certifications or a CHIC certification number should be available for evaluation of sire and dam's overall health.
AKC registration and a pedigree is important to have, but does not account for a dogs health, temperament, and how they compare to your breeds standard.
Your breeder should be spending time getting to know you- many will request your information to perform a background check. Your breeder should be the one suggesting which puppy they feel will be the best fit for your individual needs. This decision should not be made soley on the puppy's coloration and markings but personality traits such as being a “middle of the pack” puppy for ease of training for a new dog owner- or a more dominant puppy for a more experienced owner. You should be able to see live video updates of your puppy which would help show personality and also disuade to the idea that you are being scammed if you cannot travel to your breeder.
Make an appointment to visit the puppy- a couple times if possible before you decide to commit. Puppies are easy to fall in love with but you will be able to see the conditions the puppies are being raised in and get to know the breeder. They should be a life long knowledgeable resource to you from nutrition, behavior, and health. What is your puppy being exposed to the first critical 8 weeks of life? Are they being kept clean? Allowed to potty outside? Socialized and handled everyday? Have they experienced obstacles such as stairs? Are they allowed access to different textures such as shiney floors and grass? What kinds of sounds has the puppy been exposed to regularly? These things are critical to the way your puppy develops- to experience mild amounts of stress improves circulatory function and improves the way your puppy handles stress for the rest of it's life.
Ask for veterinary references and a health certificate. You should have proof of deworming and at a minimum the first set of vaccinations depending on the age of your puppy. Know your state a federal laws regarding puppy sales. Most states require a puppy be a minimum of 8 weeks old before being sold as being removed from their mother before that age can lead to serious health and behavioral complications.
Transport- If your puppy is being transported by plane they should be at least 10 weeks old. This can be quite a traumatic and overwhelming event for your puppy- not only being separated from everything firmiliar such as mom and littermates, but enduring a long and noisy flight may impact your puppy in a negative way, by waiting a few more weeks your puppy may handle the stress much better and as an added bonus with an older puppy, potty training will be so much easier!
Be very knowledgeable about singleton puppies (No littermates), selecting more than one puppy from the same litter (littermates syndrome), and if you already have dog(s) how they will tolerate a young puppy.
If you need help selecting the right puppy or finding a reputable breeder, Follow My Lead is available for consultation services. Contact Here