How do you tell apart a good breeder and bad?

Answer 1

Before I begin to answer this question I feel morally obligated to tell you that purchasing your dog or cat is adding to the serious problem of homeless animals. The Humane Society of the United States, (HSUS), estimates that animal shelters care for 6 to 8 million dogs and cats every year in the United States alone. Out of that 6 to 8 million 3 to 4 million are euthanized. By buying your animal rather than adopting one you are contributing to the over population of homeless pets. I also want to point out the fact that one in four dogs dropped at shelters are pure bred, so you can adopt a dog and find the breed that your looking for. There are rescue groups for any breed imaginable. However if in the end you decide to buy a dog from a breeder the best thing you can do is to make sure you are supporting a person who has the dogs best interest at heart.

You want to avoid puppy mills, commercial breeders, and backyard/hobby breeders. Dog that are poorly bred and/or poorly socialized by their breeder are prone to health and behavior problems. A goof breeder does not breed to make money, so they don't sell their puppies to the first person who shows up with money in hand. Too often, people opt for convenience and quick purchase and buy a puppy from a pet store or over the internet, thinking that they are dealing with a reputable business. Too often, the result of such practices includes puppies with poor health or temperament problems that may not be discovered until years later. Unfortunately, these new pet families often end up heartbroken, with dogs who have genetic health problems or who develop significant behavior problems due to a lack of early socialization. In some cases, these problems can cost thousands of dollars to treat. Here's a first good step to take, you want to be able to visit where the dogs are bred and meet the owners in person. That is the problem with buying your dog on the Internet or from a pet shop, you have no idea where the dog comes from and because of that you can't asses whether you are dealing with a responsible breeder. The HSUS provides a check list of what you should be looking for when during your visits and talks with the breeders. Here is what they advise you look for in a breeder, you want someone who:

-Keeps dogs in the home as part of the family --- not outside in kennel runs

-Only breeds one or two types of dogs and is knowledgeable about what are called "breed standards" (the desired characteristics of the breed, such as size, proportion, coat, color, and temperament)

-Doesn't always have puppies available but rather will keep a list of interested people for the next available litter

-Has dogs who appear happy and healthy and don't shy away from visitors

-Shows you where the dogs spend their time --- in a clean, well - maintained area

-Encourages you to spend time with the puppy's parents --- at a minimum, the pup's mother --- when you visit

-Has a strong relationship with a local veterinarian and shows you individual records of veterinary visits for your puppy

-Explains in detail the potential genetic problems inherent in the breed (every breed

has specific genetic predispositions) and provides documentation that the puppy's parents and grandparents have been tested to ensure that they are free of these genetic problems

-Offers guidance for caring for and training your puppy and is available for assistance

after you take your puppy home

-Provides references from other families who have purchased puppies

-Feeds high quality "premium" brand pet food

-Is actively involved with local, state, and national clubs that specialize in the specific breed; good breeders may also compete the dogs in conformation trials (which judge how closely dogs match their "breed standard"), obedience trials (which judge how well dogs perform specific sets of tasks on command), or tracking and agility trials

-Encourages multiple visits and wants your entire family to meet the puppy

-Provides you with a written contract and health guarantee and allows plenty of time for you to read it thoroughly; the breeder should not require that you use a specific veterinarian

In addition to that criteria you want a breeder that requires some things of you. The breeder should require you to:

-Explain why you want a dog

-Explain who in your family will be responsible for the pup's daily care, who will attend training classes, where the dog will spend most of his or her time, and what "rules" have been decided upon for the puppy--- for example, whether or not the dog will be allowed on furniture

-Provide proof from your landlord or condominium board (if you rent or live in a condominium complex) that you are allowed to have a dog

-Provide a veterinary reference

-Sign a contract that you will spay or neuter the dog unless you will be actively involved in showing him or her (which applies to show quality dogs only)

-Sign a contract stating that you will return the dog to the breeder should you be unable to keep the dog at any point in the dog's life

If a breeder you are working with doesn't meet all of these requirements the HSUS recommends that you walk away. Remember that your dog will likely live to be between ten and twenty years old, so it is well worth investing some time now to make sure you are working with a reputable breeder who breeds healthy happy dogs. You can find reputable breeders by asking for referrals from your veterinarian or breed rescue group, contacting local breed clubs, or visiting dog shows. Remember, a reputable breeder will never sell dogs through a pet store or in any other way that doesn't allow interaction with buyers to ensure that the puppies are a good match for the families and that the buyers will provide responsible lifelong homes. Please don't ever buy a dog without personally visiting where he or she was born and raised. Take the time now to find the right breeder, and you'll be thanking yourself for the rest of your dog's life.