July 11, 2019
Are you thinking of buying a puppy but aren’t sure how to find a good breeder? Here are 10 important things to watch out for, red flags and questions to ask.
- Don’t be turned off if you do not get an immediate response from a breeder. Most also have full-time jobs.
- Most responsible breeders will not always have puppies available, but will have a wait-list for people interested in getting a puppy.
- Your breeder should only breeder one or a few types of dogs. They should also be very knowledgeable about their breeder and specific requirements they may have.
- Always go visit the breeders house or kennel and ask to see at least one of the parents of the liter you are looking at. This will give you an idea as to what is in store for you in terms of appearance and temperament.
- Take a walk around to observe the premises and the dogs on it. Is the space clean? Odor-free?
- Look for signs of malnutrition like protruding ribs or illness; runny nose or eyes, cough or skin sores. Dogs and puppies should be clean, well-fed and lively.
- Observe the interactions between the dogs and puppies and their breeder. Does the breeder appear to care for not only the puppies but also the adult dogs in their care? Dogs and puppies should be outgoing with strangers and should NOT shy away from the breeder.
- Always find out about the health of the puppy and the parents. They should be willing to share proof of health screenings such as OFA and CERF certificates.
- A responsible breeder will ask you to sign a contract indicating that if specified conditions of care are not met or you become unable to care for the dog, the breeder will reclaim it
- Breeder should not let you bring the dog home until they are between 8-12 weeks old
Still not sure if you are choosing the right breeder? Shoot us an email! We offer puppy selection services to ensure that you get the best match for your family!
