If you want to welcome a furry friend into your life, consider adopting a puppy or adult dog from a shelter or rescue group. This decision not only provides a loving home for animals in need, but also opens up the opportunity to find the perfect animal to fit your lifestyle. Animal shelters and rescue organizations often offer foster homes for a variety of dog breeds, so you’re sure to find the breed you’re looking for.
However, if you are interested in a specific purebred puppy, it is important to find a reputable dog breeder. Responsible breeders focus on the dog’s health and temperament, increasing the likelihood that your new companion will grow into a well-adjusted family pet. Thorough research and patience are key to finding a reliable breeder. Get recommendations from trusted sources like your veterinarian, attend dog shows, or contact your local breed club for advice. Additionally, resources such as the American Kennel Club’s breeder recommendations can be very helpful in your search. Don’t be afraid to ask friends and acquaintances who have great dogs for recommendations. You will also gain valuable insight into reputable breeders.
1. Look for Recommendations From Trusted People
Dr. Laura Sharkey, KPA-CTP, SDC, WOOFS Owner! Dog Training Center and Reputable Breeder emphasizes the importance of direct recommendations when finding responsible breeders. She says working with the dogs she admires and researching their origins provides valuable insight into breeder practices. “Nothing determines the quality of a breeder more than the dogs they produce,” she asserts.
In addition to asking for her recommendations, Sharkey recommends consulting your local veterinarian, certified trainer, and behavior consultant. She especially recommends researching breeders affiliated with the Functional Dog Collaborative and Copilot Breeding Cooperative. These organizations emphasize health and temperament over strict breed standards and focus on breeding dogs adapted to modern lifestyles. Sharkey also highlights the American Kennel Club’s Breeder of Merit program as another reliable resource to consider when looking for responsible breeders.
2. Meet the Breeder
Choosing a reputable dog breeder depends on the breeder’s genuine interest in understanding you as a potential owner. Breeders decide whether their dog is a good fit for a potential owner, says Sarah Austin, DVM, who runs Austin Veterinary Hospital and leads the breeding effort for the Salty Creek Cardigan Welsh Corgi. It states that you need to use the following method for this: Emphasize how important it is to ask relevant questions. She values transparency about the lasting relationships she envisions with her puppy buyers, explaining that a partnership cannot be built without mutual commitment.
Singh says breeders who are passionate about their dogs recommend multiple visits to build a strong relationship. She suggests creating a list of requests that covers different aspects, such as:
– Why breeders breed certain dogs
– Number of mothers, number of annual births, number of live births
– Next year’s birth plan
– Veterinary care of mother animal and puppies
– Vaccination records
– Weaning and socialization practices
Another important issue concerns the breeder’s policy on adopting puppies if they are unsuitable. Austin insists that breeders must have a contingency plan for every puppy they produce. She argues that the physical and mental health of returned puppies should be assessed before deciding on their future owners.
Identifying puppy mills requires careful investigation of the breeder’s behavior. A lack of interest in engaging beyond a transactional interaction or unwillingness to allow visits are red flags. Sharkey recommends visiting puppies when they are about 5 or 6 weeks old, and considers the lack of an invitation to meet the dog or puppy on-site to be a major red flag.
3. Meet the Parents and Puppies, Too
Looking at “puppy cams” or stock photos on websites will not give you an accurate picture of your puppy’s health or condition. According to our panel of experts, it is important to gain first-hand experience, especially to assess the dog’s living conditions, access to necessities, and level of interaction that is present.
“You need a puppy who is willing to engage, who is interested in you, who is interested in people. After all, that’s what we want in society,” Singh emphasizes. “Signs of hesitation, avoidance, or excessive barking by the mother are very concerning as it is very unlikely that these behaviors will subside over time.”
However, Austin points out that meeting the father is not always possible, as many breeders choose to supply seeds from outside sources or breed the mother elsewhere. “If a breeder relies solely on their own stud dogs for breeding, that can actually be a red flag,” she points out. External stallions are sometimes used to prevent inbreeding, which can cause unwanted genetic problems in the offspring.
Singh emphasizes that without being able to directly observe puppies and their mothers, important insights are lost and it’s not worth the risk.
4. Look for a Waitlist
Experienced breeders work on carefully crafted breeding programs rather than simply maintaining a supply of puppies. Therefore, it is common for potential owners to be on a waiting list, and in some cases have to wait for more than a year. Austin said waitlist order is determined by order, not just chronological order. Rather, it reflects a thorough evaluation of each potential owner to ensure that the puppy is the best fit possible.
5. Get All Records
Screening for breed-specific health problems is essential and can include hip and elbow dysplasia, eye diseases, hereditary cancers, and various medical conditions. Typically, breeders will provide OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) and CERF (Canine Eye Registration Foundation) certificates as proof of health testing. In addition, some breeders conduct temperament evaluations to assess the behavioral traits of their puppies. A hallmark of responsible breeding practices is maintaining open records policies that ensure transparency by providing access to all records related to parents and their offspring.
“In my opinion, new owners should not be burdened with paying for medical records, pedigrees, and health screening information,” Austin emphasizes. “A reputable breeder will proudly present their puppy’s pedigree and will readily provide all relevant documentation.”
6. Proper Socialization Strategy
When choosing the ideal breeder, our experts make sure to look at their approach to puppy socialization. “Potential buyers should prioritize behavior over superficial characteristics like coat color,” advises Singh.
During the early stages of socialization, young puppies are gradually exposed to a variety of stimuli such as sights, sounds, people, and the environment. This process plays an important role in helping your puppy grow into a well-adjusted, happy adult dog, reducing the risk of fearful or anxious behavior later in life.
7. Future Care Instructions
When choosing the ideal breeder, our experts always consider their approach to socializing puppies. “Potential buyers should prioritize behavior over superficial characteristics like coat color,” advises Singh.
During the early stages of socialization, young puppies gradually become accustomed to a variety of stimuli such as sights, sounds, people, and the environment. This process plays an important role in helping your puppy grow into a well-adjusted, happy adult dog, reducing the risk of developing fearful or frightening behaviors in the future.
How to avoid a scammer
Recognizing the signs of an irresponsible breeder is crucial, although identifying them can be challenging unless the dog displays obvious signs of neglect or illness. Puppy farmers or rogue breeders often employ deceptive tactics to ensnare unsuspecting dog enthusiasts, but there are key indicators to watch out for:
- Repetitive photos and descriptions across multiple advertisements.
- Offering multiple breeds for sale simultaneously.
- Demonstrating limited knowledge about the breed they’re selling.
- Hesitating to allow visits with the puppy’s mother.
- Advertising puppies as having passports.
- Pressuring you to send a deposit before visiting.
- Refusing to allow you to see the mother and puppies together, with excuses for her absence.
- Restricting visitation to only once.
- Suggesting alternative meeting locations away from the puppies’ home or birthplace.
The importance of waiting until the puppy reaches 8 weeks of age before bringing them home
It is important that you do not bring home a puppy that is less than 8 weeks old. Early interactions with littermates play an important role in developing a dog’s basic social skills. While the idea of ”doubling the joy” may seem appealing, adopting two puppies at the same time is not a good idea.
In summary, it is most important to do thorough research and find a reputable breeder before purchasing a puppy. This careful approach greatly increases your chances of bringing home a healthy, well-behaved dog.
I am a dedicated writer, specializes in crafting captivating content centered around Dogs. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for dogs, I delivers engaging narratives that celebrate the bond between humans and their Doggos.
