Selecting your next puppy and your next breeder:
Shopping for a puppy is a very happy time & a big job. Of course we want you to go cautiously but in the process be open minded and most of all have fun and I tell everyone to always listen to your heart.
Weeding through various breeders. What’s good & what’s bad. A few pointers….
1) Again, as I always say, listen to your intuition.
2) Consider if the person shows
3) Visit them in person if at all possible. If they are not local to you, ask for references.
4) Take your time on the phone getting a feel for one another. If the breeder doesn’t have time to talk, ask when is a better time for them. They should by all means be willing to assist you in the huge task of finding the right dog & breeder for you. This is a family member and a good breeder not only understands that but expects their puppy to be placed only in a family with the same view.
5) Again, using discernment should give you a sense of the ethics of this breeder but if not, go visit them in person. Please don’t ask questions such as “Are you a puppy mill” over the phone! LOL If they are, I can assure you they are not going to admit it and if they are not, asking that is actually quit insulting even though that was not your intention. There are ways to ask pertinent questions & be considerate at the same time. We really shouldn’t treat each other as guilty until proven innocent. It’s ok if you have suspicions or just want to be cautious, you just don’t have to verbalize every thought during an initial evaluation. Keep in mind a quality breeder is just as concerned about you and how you will care for their puppy as you are about the breeder of where the puppy comes from. AND on that note, a breeder should not make you feel pressured to buy. If you are feeling that way, find another breeder! Again, if at all possible, you should always visit them in person. Even if they don’t have puppies, you can meet their adult dogs which will give you an excellent understanding of how they care for their dogs and interact with their dogs.
6) Be a cautious shopper! Don’t shop at pet stores or flea markets. Consider a “professional” rather than the person that owns one dog and used a friends male for stud. One that pours their life into their dogs has more than likely planned with a great deal of their time and money by researching their bloodlines, done medical testing and knows about this breed from behavior to medical issues and yes, all breeds (even mutts) will have things they are prone too. Mother nature isn’t perfect but when we are selectively breeding, we hope to dramatically minimize those issue.
7) When visiting in person, notice the overall care of the dog. Is their coat and eyes healthy, are they clean, are they friendly, are they groomed/maintained. If you are viewing puppies, are they playful, energetic active, alert, social with all that are around them, do they respond positively to sound and touch, are they clean, filled out or thin……. just for starters
8) Notice when a puppy gravitates to you! Sometimes letting a puppy pick you can be a match made in heaven but also listen to the advise of the breeder. The breeder has lived with this litter and knows each ones personality and can be a huge asset in assisting you to pick the right match for your family.
9) Are you scared you will end up buying from a Puppy Mill?? First, research what a puppy mill is. Once you have done that, trust me, you will know one when you see one! Consider this, every time someone buys a puppy from a puppy mill, they keep that person in business! The best way to run them out of business is if they loose all their business.
10) Ask the breeder what the puppy comes with and what has been done prior to your acquiring the pup and what needs to be done after you get the puppy. A particular breeder will be very stringent on the vaccine schedule and should point you in the right direction of how to continue in that area to be sure the puppy receives the correct vaccination protocol for protection. They should also be particular in encouraging proper diet and have great advice for you in that area as well as puppy training. A good breeder would not send you out “on your own” so to speak. It should be very important to them the puppy gets off to the right start so a hands on breeder will be willing to guide you in all these areas.
11) If a puppy comes with a minimal to no health guarantee …. RUN!! Consider the health guarantee offered and be sure its in writing, not verbal!
12) Consider the age and over all condition of the breeders older dogs. If they have one or two older dogs that are in good to great shape, you can bet they take care of their dogs. If these dogs are related to your puppy, even better!
13) TAKE YOUR TIME! Wanting a puppy “yesterday” may not be the smartest way to move forward in selecting a long time family member. Keep in mind that getting a pup from some of the better breeders may require getting on a waiting list. Some may not have puppies very often and most of those could end up in show homes while others may have a few more options throughout the year but you can bet theirs will get spoken for quickly.
14) Be considerate of your appointment time when visiting the home of a breeder. You have been welcomed into their HOME, not a public store front. Which means they have things going on the same as you……. children, family or school activities, meals, errands etc. I once had someone show up 3 hours early. That’s wasn’t fun jumping out of the shower to answer the door! Not to mention this person drove 4 hours to get to my house. What if I had not been home? I consider 30 minutes (+/-) the norm as traffic can be unpredictable.
15) You may find that a spay/neuter contract to be standard with quality breeders. Some breeders will breed anything that is cute or convenient. It’s our responsibility to not only protect the purity of our lines but to protect our puppies from falling into the wrong hands. Some people feel that if they are paying for a dog they should be able to do whatever they want with it. Let me first say that is not the mindset we intent to place our puppies with. The well being of the puppy & the integrity of the breed are of the highest of priorities of any responsible breeder! Also, truth is that the majority of the dogs & pups found in shelters are products of pet owners that had not yet spayed or neutered and ended up with an accidental litter they could not find homes for. Read more about spay/neuter contracts the how and why on the Q & A page.
16) Don’t feel embarrassed to ask for references! I don’t know of one reputable breeder that would mind!
17) If you feel indecisive, sleep on it or consider the saying “when in doubt leave it out”. Sometimes the doubt comes in because one was not really ready for the responsibility of a puppy in the first place. It’s better to back away than to get a puppy and then have regrets. Not only will you suffer but the puppy will certainly suffer along with you if they were not truly wanted!
Most of the time people ”just know” its the right puppy, or the right litter and or the right breeder. If you are having a hard time choosing between two great pups, let the pups speak to you.