WHAT CAN I EXPECT FROM A RESPONSIBLE BREEDER

You should expect a lot from a breeder. You are entrusting them to help you pick out the next member of your family. A family member that will trust you to take care of them for the rest of their life. There are many things you should expect from your breeder as well as things that a breeder should expect from you. Below you will find a list of these things to help you find the best breeder for your next pup or dog.
 

The first thing you should expect from a responsible breeder is for them to sit down and talk with you about why you are choosing this breed of dog. They will ask you questions about how you came to know this breed, what your expectations are for this dog, and the amount of work you are willing to put into raising a puppy. They may ask you about your family life, how many children you have and ages, your home and how it is set up to keep a puppy safe. Some people may be put off by these questions but you shouldn’t be. A responsible breeder wants to place their dogs in the best possible home. They want to make sure that the people that are contacting them for a pup know what they are getting into and are willing to do everything possible to raise this pup to be a wonderful well rounded pet that will stay with the family for life. If a breeder does not ask questions and just wants to take your money for whatever pup they have, you should be cautious that you are dealing with someone who is out for profit more then finding good homes for their pups. A responsible breeder may have a waiting list for their pups. That should not surprise you or put you off. A responsible breeder with good dogs is someone worth waiting for. A puppy could live to be 12 plus years….waiting a few months for that right pup is not unreasonable. 
 

A responsible breeder may be involved with rescue in their breed. They may even suggest, after speaking to you that an older dog or a rescue would better for what you and your family are looking for. A responsible breeder is not always looking to sell a puppy to everyone who contacts them; they may feel that a puppy is not the right choice for what you have described. They may realize that a puppy of this breed or for that matter, this breed is not the best choice for you. They will explain the reasons they have for not selling a puppy and make suggestions to you to help you in your search.

Many responsible breeders subscribe to the expectations of some type of breed club or recognized registry. The most well know registry is the American Kennel Club. It is the oldest registry in the USA and its sole purpose is to promote purebred dogs. There are other registries that one may encounter such as the UKC (the United Kennel Club) and the CKC (the Canadian Kennel Club). And then there are some registries that have cropped up for the sole purpose of making illegitimate breeders look legitimate. While they may look impressive and the breeder may try to pass them off as a real registry of purebred dogs, they really are not worth the paper they print on. Be wary of these registries and check them out before buying.
 

A responsible breeder will often belong to either their local breed club or their national breed club or even both. They adhere to a CODE OF ETHICS and agree to breed to the standard of their breed. A standard is a set of criteria put out by the national breed club that describes what that breed should look and act like. You can go on the internet and research any purebred dog you are interested in by going to that breed’s national club’s website.

You can also go the American Kennel Club’s website. These websites are full of good information on the breed as well as usually having a contact for breeder referral.
 

You should expect that a breeder has a specific reason for breeding the two dogs they have chosen for this litter. They should be able to explain to you the traits that each dog has and how they compliment each other and what expectations they have for this litter. A responsible breeder breeds to improve the breed and to enhance the breeding program they have in their kennel. They do not breed for profit, or for the experience of having puppies. They want to add to their kennel and produce puppies that they would be proud to show to anyone. They often show their dogs in competitions to show the judges and other breeders that they are on the right track with their breeding plan. Some breeders show in conformation (dogs are judged on their looks and movement) some show in performance such as obedience, herding, agility, or hunting competitions. No matter the purpose that a breeder chooses to showcase their dogs, a responsible breeder breeds to produce dogs that will excel in those competitions. They bred for themselves first and pet people second. They keep a puppy or more for their own kennel and purposes and then make the rest of the puppies available to the public.
 

Often you will hear breeders say that breeding is not about making money; in fact they will often say that they are losing money when breeding their dogs. A responsible breeder spends a lot more money on raising training, and competing with their dogs then they will ever make back from breeding. They price their puppies accordingly. Many people think that going to a pet store is cheaper then buying from a responsible breeder. Many times, that is not true. Buying a puppy from a responsible breeder often costs less because a buyer does not face large vet bills down the road due to poorly bred animals. A responsible breeder never engages others to sell their puppies for them. For instance, selling a puppy through a pet store or through a broker. They want to meet and interview each person that is getting a puppy from them. They do not mass produce dogs, they carefully plan each litter. They may only have one litter every few years or a few every year but they know they will keep each and every pup till the right person comes along for one of their pups.
 

A responsible breeder will discuss with you the health testing that they do on their dogs before breeding. The breeder should show you documentation of the health testing results of each parent of the litter. This documentation should come from recognized health registries such as the OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals). Each breed has its own health testing requirements and a responsible breeder should not only know the requirements but also test for all of them that are relevant to that breed. Since many of these tests are done after a dog is fully mature a responsible breeder will wait to breed a pair of dogs until both are old enough to be tested as well as pass these health tests.

A responsible breeder should be able to introduce you to the mother of the litter. A responsible breeder will have the mother of the pups with them till the pups are at least 7 weeks old (some breeds are longer) and should be able to have you watch the interaction between the puppies and their mother. Some breeders breed to males that do not live with them so you may or may not expect to meet the father of the puppies. If the male is not available to meet, a responsible breeder should be able to explain why and even be able to give you contact information for the owner of the sire of the pups. You should expect that a responsible breeder will not breed a female or male that have temperaments that make it impossible to meet the parents of the puppies. A responsible breeder should breed for sound, stable temperaments that make good pets.

NO MATTER THE REASON A BREEDER DECIDES TO HAVE A LITTER OF PUPS TEMPERAMENT AND HEALTH SHOULD BE A HIGH PRIORITY. Dogs are pets first to many responsible breeders, show or performance dogs second. While a mother of a litter may be protective of her pups, a responsible breeder should be able to introduce you to the mom away from the pups if necessary. If the mother of the pups has had a litter before, you should be able to get references from other puppy buyers to see if they are happy with their dogs. A responsible breeder is proud of every dog they breed and is willing to show them off.
 

You should expect that the puppies you are looking at are healthy, clean, and well socialized. A responsible breeder handles their puppies all the time, has them near by during their initial developmental weeks, and can tell you all the little details of each pup’s temperament. The puppies will have a warm clean area where they are kept with access to clean food and water. The area is clean and large enough for the pup’s to play and exercise and even go to a separate area for potty time. There should be no smells associated with the area where the pups are and should be devoid of any waste. A responsible breeder will socialize the pups appropriately for their age. They will expose the pups to every day noises and people so that the transition from the breeder’s home to the outside world is an easy and seamless one. The puppies should have good clean coats, bright eyes with no discharge from either eyes or nose and should be of good weight and muscle tone. The pups should be happy and playful and eager to meet you and your family. You should be able to see them interacting with each other and they should be inquisitive about their environment and you. A responsible breeder will have wormed the puppies appropriately for their age and give any required shots for the age of the pup. They should be able to supply documentation of this for the new owner to give to their own vet.

A responsible breeder will provide you with a sales contract. This contract will usually include the price of the dog as well as any guarantees that the breeder is willing to give. Some examples of guarantees that might be included are health guarantees on the pups up to certain age or for life, a guarantee that the dog will of a certain quality (such as show, breeding etc), or perhaps that the dog will be of a certain temperament. Every contract will vary but there should be a written contract of some sort. The contract should also specify what the breeder would be willing to do if there is a problem with the pup. Will the breeder be responsible for vet bills and if so, how much? Will the breeder take back the dog and refund money or replace the dog with another? A responsible breeder will sit with the buyer and go over the contract and answer any questions you may have. They will make sure you understand any clauses that may involve future breedings or puppies bought back by the breeder or requirements on the buyer’s part to participate in competition events. If the breeder requires that a puppy is to be spayed or neutered by a certain age, the breeder will go over that with the buyer and explain why. Many responsible breeders sell puppies on a “restricted registration”. This means that the breeder does not want the dog to be bred or shown in conformation and assures this by restricting the registration with the AKC. The puppy will still be registered as a purebred dog, but the AKC will not issue any registration papers on any puppies produced by that dog. A responsible breeder is very careful to make sure that only the very best puppies in any litter continue to reproduce and requires all pets to be spayed and neutered by a particular age.

Very often, a breeder will provide a puppy buyer with a whole puppy package that may include pictures of the parents, copies of health clearances, a pedigree, the registration papers for the pup or a promise date when they will be provided, and training tips or articles about the breed and its unique characteristics.

A responsible breeder will always be available for advice and help with a pup of theirs. They do not “disappear” after the check clears. They often check in via phone calls or e-mail to see how the pup is doing and encourages the new owners to keep in touch. A responsible breeder often feels that once you buy a puppy from them, you become a part of their extended family. They will go over feeding and housebreaking schedules with you, they may give you training advice or grooming tips before you leave with your new pup. They will encourage you to call with any questions or problems, usually any time of the day or night. A RESPONSIBLE BREEDER IS THERE FOR THE LIFE OF THAT DOG. They may encourage you to attend training classes and may even give you suggestions of training techniques based on their experience with the breed. They are willing to share all the knowledge they have acquired about the breed and this litter freely and are more then happy to introduce you to the world of purebred dogs and all it has to offer.

A RESPONSIBLE BREEDER WILL BE WILLING TO TAKE BACK A DOG OF THEIRS FOR THE LIFE OF THAT DOG. No matter what the age or problem of the dog, or the reason that you have to return the dog, a responsible breeder will always be there to assist you and often will ask for you to return the dog to them rather then find a home on your own.
 

A responsible breeder will help you pick the puppy from their litter. Remember, they have the experience in this breed, they own and live with the parents, and they have spent the last 7 or 8 weeks with these pups. They will have interviewed you and assessed what temperament of puppy with work best in your situation. They will asses each puppy and explain why a particular puppy is best for you. They are not trying to cheat you or sell you an inferior puppy, they are assuring that you will get the puppy of your dreams and enjoy raising him or her. A responsible breeder will not let a puppy leave their littermates or mother till the appropriate age. Typically that is between 7 and 12 weeks, depending on the breed. No puppy should ever leave before the age of 7 weeks. While they can eat and survive on their own, they are not emotionally ready or capable of good social bonding before that time.

A responsible breeder will usually encourage you to take the pup to your own vet within a certain time period after you acquire the pup. This way, you can give your vet all the appropriate documentation of shots and any medication administered to the puppy and be assured that you have a healthy puppy to enjoy. They will often include a waiting period of anywhere to a day to sometimes 2 weeks whereby, you can change your mind and return the puppy for a refund.
 

A responsible breeder will require you to love your puppy and keep it safe for his whole life. They may have specific requirements as to housing and traveling, training and feeding. They may require that you allow a home visit to ensure that you have adequate fencing in your yard for a dog of this breed and that any other pets or people in your home are comfortable with a new puppy.

A responsible breeder will expect you to ask them questions and encourage it. Just like they want to know you and your expectations, they should want you to feel comfortable buying a puppy from them. They should be willing to listen to your questions and give you answers that are honest and informative about this breed and their dogs. They expect that you will be informed and clear about your decision and that you are buying this puppy after careful though and consideration for all aspects of dog ownership.
 

A responsible breeder will expect you to have done some research on the breed you are choosing and have a list of questions about their dogs. They should not be put off by any question and they should think that all questions are valid and important. They should be forthright about their dogs and breeding program and not sell you a dog that you can’t handle or are not looking for. A responsible breeder does not sell a high energy, bred for work puppy to someone who wants to sit on the couch all day and have the dog sleep at their feet. They want to be assured that a buyer will not get frustrated by an active puppy and give it up because it becomes too much work or is not suited for the buyer’s purpose. They will turn down a buyer or suggest another litter if they feel that the poppies in this current litter are not right for what the buyer is looking for.
 

They may expect that you are buying the dog for yourself and your family and not looking for a gift for someone else or a puppy just for the kids. They expect to place the puppy in the home of the people they are interviewing and expect that the puppy is for the whole family not just one or two members. They expect that as a family, you have sat down and discussed all the responsibility of owning a puppy or dog and as a family you are committed to taking care of this animal for its whole life.
 

A responsible breeder expects you to want this new puppy with as much love and care as they have given him or her. They want you to demand a well adjusted, healthy, wonderful addition to your family and they will do everything in their power to see that you get that.