Introduction
The world of dogs can be a confusing place for pet owners. With so many breeds and personalities to choose from, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. That’s why it’s vitally important that prospective dog owners do their research before bringing a new member into the family home, especially if that new member is going to be an expensive purebred puppy. There are plenty of breeders out there who will tell you anything to make a sale, but finding the right one doesn’t have to be difficult if you know what questions to ask. Here are some tips on how to spot a responsible breeder:
Ask Your Veterinarian
Asking your veterinarian to help you check out a breeder is one of the best ways to ensure that you’re getting a responsible, healthy dog. When you’re looking for a new puppy, it’s important to ensure that the dogs are being bred responsibly. Responsible breeders do not breed their dogs indiscriminately or in poor conditions. A professional veterinarian like this vet in Sunnybank Hills also know what health and temperament issues are associated with their breed and they do everything they can to avoid them by testing their dogs’ DNA and screening potential owners.
Responsible breeders will typically be able to provide a complete history of the dog’s parents and grandparents, including how long they lived, what health issues they had if any, and what temperament traits they passed on to their offspring. If you’re looking for a family pet, it’s not enough just to make sure that your puppy comes from healthy parents, you want him or her to grow up into a loving companion who is going to be well-behaved around other humans and animals alike.
Check the Environment
A responsible breeder will always take care of their animals’ living conditions. Look for signs of neglect or overcrowding, such as:
- Dirty water and food bowls (they should be clean at all times)
- Unsanitary bedding, dog patch and cages
- Sick or injured animals (if they’re sick, they are not being taken care of properly)
Note that sometimes new owners will get overwhelmed by caring for a puppy; if this seems like the case with yours, I recommend getting some tips from a veterinarian or another dog owner before bringing them home.
Work with a breeder who specializes in a specific breed
When you’re looking for a puppy and you’ve decided that a certain breed is right for you, it’s important to remember that not all breeders are the same. Some of them are extremely responsible like Schnoodle breeders, and some of them have no idea what they’re doing. If you’re looking for a dog breeder who specializes in your chosen breed, then it’s good to know what signs of a responsible breeder look like.
A responsible breeder will have an extensive knowledge of the breed itself, including its history, temperament, health issues and specific needs. A responsible breeder will be able to tell you everything you need to know about your dog’s ancestors, including the names and ages of the parents. If they don’t know this information offhand, they should be able to tell you where they got the dogs from, who bred them together and when (and if possible why).
A responsible breeder will also be able to answer all questions about their breeding process what kind of training they do with their dogs before they sell them; how many litters they produce each year; whether or not they allow petting of puppies prior to purchase; how often they socialize with their puppies after sale; etc.
Pet store puppies aren’t all they’re cracked up to be
Did you know that most pet store puppies are from puppy mills? Puppy mills are large-scale breeding facilities that focus on profits, not the welfare of dogs. The conditions at puppy mills are often deplorable and can include: overcrowded cages, severe neglect, malnutrition, and disease. These factors can cause physical abnormalities or genetic defects in puppies which may be passed on to future generations. Many pet store puppies also have behavioral issues caused by a lack of proper socialization with humans or other animals. More than half of all pet store puppies arrive at stores already sick (or even dying), often with contagious diseases like parvovirus or distemper that aren’t detected during their stay in the store’s quarantine area. Pet stores don’t always take steps to ensure their dogs receive proper care after they’re adopted out either many owners report feeling lied to about vaccinations being up-to-date when they bought their pets from a pet store.
A responsible breeder will at least be interested in you as a dog owner, not just your money.
Before purchasing a puppy, it’s important to find a responsible breeder who will give you all the information you need to make an informed decision about your new dog. A good breeder will be able to answer any questions you have about their breed of choice, including their health history and personality traits. If a breeder seems unwilling or unable to answer these questions, it might be time to look elsewhere.
Responsible breeders are more likely to have more than one breed.
Responsible breeders are more likely to have more than one breed. When you see a breeder that specializes in only one breed or has multiple breeds but seems like they are the same, this is a huge red flag.
They may be good breeders but not the best for you and your pet. They are most likely good because they have been at it for years and have learned what works and what doesn’t work in raising dogs. However, they do not know everything about raising purebred dogs as every dog is different and has different needs based on its genetics as well as your lifestyle situation or home environment (size, heat/cold tolerance, etc).
Responsible breeders usually have a waiting list.
If you want to buy a puppy from a responsible breeder, you should expect to wait. A responsible breeder will not sell a puppy before it’s old enough for its vaccinations. This means that their litters are often born in the summer months, but puppies don’t go home until they are about 12 weeks old and sometimes longer than that.
A responsible breeder will also have a waiting list for their dogs because they only breed when they feel that the timing is right. They want to ensure that their breeding stock has been tested for various diseases and health issues so they don’t pass along those conditions to their puppies or future generations of dogs. If this sounds like too much work on your part, then perhaps you’d be happier with an adopted dog instead!
Responsible breeders usually limit breeding to one or two females.
Responsible breeders usually limit breeding to one or two females. This is because inbreeding can cause genetic defects and other health issues, and it’s important to keep those problems from being passed on to your dog.
So how do you know if a breeder is responsible? Well, for starters, they should be registered with their country’s kennel club (or another national registry). They’ll also have a contract that outlines what you’re getting into with the breed and what you need to do once you get home.
Responsible breeders are committed to the health and well-being of the dogs for their whole lives.
Responsible breeders are committed to the health and well-being of their dogs for their whole lives. They will be available to help you with any questions or problems that may arise. Responsible breeders will want to know about any health problems that occur with their dogs, and they will offer support, advice, and genetic testing if desired. Responsible breeders also have a strong commitment to socialization and training.
As a responsible breeder myself, I require all my puppy buyers to keep in contact with me so I can continue guiding how best to raise their dog into a healthy adult canine citizen!
Responsible breeders won’t have a designer hybrid or “rare” breeds.
The first sign of a responsible breeder is that they won’t be breeding designer hybrid or “rare” breeds.
Here are some common examples:
- Designer Hybrid Breeds. Designer hybrid dogs are often bred to be sold as show or pet quality but are not always well-bred for health and temperament. Some breeders will cross two different species to create an unusual or bizarre-looking dog, such as pugs crossed with Boston terriers (known as “potato”). These aren’t bred responsibly—they’re just bred for profit, at the expense of the health and happiness of future puppies. Even if you think your heart is set on owning one of these oddities, find out more about why they should be avoided before considering buying from a breeder who breeds them.
- Extremely Rare Breeds Of Dogs (AKA “Rare” Or Exotic Breeds). Many people have heard tales about dogs like French Bulldogs being kept in cages their entire lives by cruel breeders who don’t let them out much and charge thousands of dollars per puppy because they’re so rare! While this sounds horrible enough on its own merits without any further investigation into how these animals came into existence in the first place (which usually involves years’ worth of unethical breeding practices), it’s important to remember that even if there were only ten French Bulldog puppies born each year worldwide…that would still mean there were at least 1 million French Bulldog puppies born every year since 1910!!
Responsible breeders spend time with their puppies and offer buyer support.
Here are a few things to look for when shopping around for a responsible breeder:
- If a breeder seems uncomfortable or unwilling to spend time with you and your puppy, they may not be the best choice. Responsible breeders want their puppies to find good homes, so they should be excited at the prospect of talking about their dogs and answering questions from potential buyers. If they don’t want to talk, they might not have as much experience caring for animals and therefore shouldn’t be trusted with one of your pets!
- Just like with people, it’s important to get along well with the breeder you choose. If you don’t click with them instantly, there may be another breeder out there who fits in better with your family’s needs (and personalities).
- Responsible breeders offer buyer support after the sale has been made. They’re interested in helping their representatives get off on the right foot so that customers will have positive experiences when dealing with them later down line (and hopefully later still).
The average lifespan of purebred dogs is significantly lower than that of mixed breeds, so any breeder trying to sell you the longevity of purebreds is probably not reputable.
If a breeder is trying to sell you on the “longevity” of purebreds, they’re probably not reputable.
Purebred dogs have a shorter lifespan than mixed breeds. The average purebred lives 10-13 years, while the average mixed-breed can live up to 16 years (and may even live longer). There are exceptions to this rule, some breeds are known for living longer than others but they are rare exceptions.
Conclusion
It’s not easy to find a good dog breeder, and it can be a time-consuming process. But if you follow these guidelines, you’ll be able to weed out the bad ones and find yourself with a healthy, happy puppy that will bring joy into your life for many years to come.
