Breeders Directory
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Some breeders who advertise widely -- on the internet, for example--are just hoping to make some extra money, even though responsible breeding of dogs costs more money than you will ever make. And what about the many breeder ads that appear every month in national dog magazines? Well, the volume breeders, puppy mills, and backyard breeders advertise there too. In fact, in a given month, the majority of breeders listed in dog magazines fit one of those three undesirable categories. In one issue, 35 kennels advertised dachshunds for sale; of those 35, it is estimated that only about 15% were not known commercial or backyard breeders. Remember that establishments that produce large numbers of pups are much more likely to advertise than high-quality show breeders, who often have waiting lists for their pups, so any ad should really be viewed with caution. That doesn't mean that everyone who advertises is an inexperienced breeder, a backyard breeder, or a puppy mill. It does mean that you need to do your homework and check any breeder thoroughly before you buy a puppy (see below for how to do that). We recommend never buying a puppy from a kennel you have not visited personally. Ordering a puppy off the internet and having the puppy arrive via air freight is not the way to go. But there are good breeders out there. Here are some places to start to find a responsible breeder.
1. ”What is your primary goal in breeding—do you breed primarily for conformation (the physical structure and appearance of the dog and how closely it fits the breed standard) or temperament?” A good breeder breeds for both. A responsible breeder breeds to eliminate physical traits that can cause health problems for the dog (weak backs or hips, overbites, allergies) and also tries to produce dogs of sound temperament—dogs who are not aggressive, who do not snap or bite out of fear or nervousness, etc. 2. “Why did you breed this particular litter? What are you hoping to accomplish in your breeding program?" With this question, you can find out a lot about how serious this breeder is and how careful about breeding negative traits out and positive traits in. A breeder who can’t answer these questions is not a breeder you want to deal with. 3. “How long have you been involved with this breed? What can you tell me about the breed’s history, its strong and weak points, and whether it might be right for me?” Everyone has to start somewhere, so the length of time a breeder has been breeding dogs is not the most important fact to know. But asking this question will help you eliminate the breeder who says this is his first dog and what he knows about the breed is that they’re really cute and fun to be around. Look for someone knowledgeable. Good breeders love to talk about their breed! And in answering this question, a good breeder will ask you questions! 4. “How old are your puppies when you sell them? Will the puppy have had all of the necessary inoculations when we get it?” Reputable breeders do not release their puppies until they are at least eight weeks old; in some states, it is illegal to sell a puppy before that age. A breeder who is willing to sell you a dog younger than eight weeks old and who says they will tell you what further shots will be necessary either doesn’t know, or doesn’t care, what he or she is doing. 5. “What are the most common health problems with this breed?” Look for a breeder who will answer questions about health honestly and knowledgeably. 6. “What happens if we buy a puppy from you and it doesn’t work out?” A good breeder will not only say it’s OK for you to return a puppy that isn’t working out—a good breeder will demand it. Good breeders want to guarantee that their puppies will not end up in kill shelters or wandering along the side of a busy highway. 7. “Do you provide any incentives for new owners to spay or neuter puppies they buy from you?” A good breeder understands how difficult breeding a sound dog can be. A good breeder understands the pet overpopulation problem. A good breeder will encourage you to spay or neuter the pup. An excellent breeder will not allow you to register the pup with the AKC until you have provided proof of the surgery. 8. “What kind of help can we expect from you after we have taken a puppy home?” Expect a good breeder to be willing to offer advice on housebreaking, obedience training, and dealing with problems after you have bought the puppy. Good breeders care about what happens to the dogs they produce and will want to do whatever they can to ensure that their puppies are doing well in their new homes. 9. “May I meet the parents? See the parents’ health records? The pup’s health records? The area where they dogs are kept?” A good breeder will be proud to show you where the dogs sleep and eat, the parents (if they are on site; a stud might have been imported for breeding a litter), and any and all records. Beware of any breeder who asks you to wait outside while they bring the puppy to you. What are they hiding? Finally, and perhaps most importantly, a good breeder will ask questions about you. The breeder may want to know whether you have children in the home, how old, whether they have been exposed to dogs before, and whether they have been, or will be, trained in respectful treatment of pets. Breeders may also ask what kind of home you live in, whether you have a fenced yard—and if not, how you plan to exercise the dog, what your experience with dogs has been, and even why you want a dog and why a dog of this particular breed. Good breeders will also ask for references—they are not about to let one of their pups go home with a stranger about whom they know nothing at all.
What Is a Puppy Mill?
breeding usefulness is over, they may be killed or dumped. Large-scale mills do not take their older dogs to shelters, as a rule, because they don’t want to draw attention to themselves. In rescue, we are sometimes fortunate enough to rescue breeding dogs from mills. These dogs always—without exception—have health problems, most of which have been chronic and neglected for years. So why should you care whether the puppy you buy comes from a place like this? Because the chances that the puppy you buy will have genetic defects that will cause disease are extremely high. Because puppies in mills are so poorly socialized that they often develop severe fearfulness and shyness. And because the money you pay for that cute puppy in the window will go right back to the mill owner, who can use it to buy and mistreat more dogs. If you are thinking of buying a puppy from a pet store, if you want to take part in the efforts to eradicate puppy mills, or if you just want more information, use the links below to educate yourself. If you have purchased a sick puppy from a pet store, click here to find information on how to report the problem. You can help shut down a mill!
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