You want a puppy and you want it now, but puppy-buying time is not the time to indulge your need for instant gratification. Sure, the newspaper might be filled with "puppies for sale" ads and that pet store puppy may be cute as a button, but the very best source for a healthy, beautiful purebred dog with a good temperament is a good hobby breeder, and finding a good one may take a little bit of time.
Good breeders only bring new puppies into the world if they think they can improve on the health, temperament, and beauty of the breed. They don’t breed for profit. They breed for passion.
Find a good one, and you’ll get a puppy with the best possible start in life.
Good breeders let you meet the pup’s parents (or at least the mother – you may only get to see a picture of the father), so you have an idea of how your dog will grow up to look and act. If you ever become unable to keep the dog, a good breeder will take the dog back, and might even require you to sign a contract promising you’ll never relinquish the dog to a shelter. The breeder wants to know you are ready to make a commitment.
Every purebred recognized by the American Kennel Club has a national parent club that serves as a network for breeders and an educational resource to the public. You can find your breed’s parent club on the American Kennel Club website. Go to www.akc.org, click on "Breeds," then click on "National Breed Clubs."
Show breeders can be an excellent source for healthy pups because they breed carefully to the breed standard, a written description of the ideal for each breed. Because not every puppy in a litter will be a show prospect, show breeders periodically have wonderful, well-bred puppies for sale.
When you visit a dog show, talk to the breeders and/or handlers after they have had their turn in the ring (beforehand, they will be preoccupied.) Keep in mind, however, that good breeders don’t breed litters very often and you may have to get on a waiting list for a puppy. It will be well worth the wait.
Finally, your vet may be able to recommend breeders with good reputations or a breed rescue group, if you want to consider adopting a purebred dog that needs a new home.
Call the Breeder
After you’ve located a breeder or two, give each a call. You want to ask the following:
- How long has the breeder been breeding dogs? An experienced breeder with a good reputation has more experience and may be a more reliable resource.
- Does the breeder specialize? Breeders who specialize in one or two breeds are more likely to have the breed’s best interests in mind.
- How often does the breeder have litters? Good hobby breeders often breed only a litter every year, or even less often.
- Does the breeder show his or her dogs or compete in obedience or other dog activities? Do the parents of the litter have any titles? Breeders involved in dog shows and competitive dog sports breed for particular traits, which could impact the personalities of the puppies. For instance, field trial breeders tend to have extra-active dogs with a high drive that may be perfect for competition or as a running partner
- When will the breeder have puppies available? If the breeder has puppies now, and you like what you’ve heard so far, ask to have a look. If not, ask to be put on a waiting list.
You may be tempted to ask about cost on the phone, but be forewarned: good breeders tend to be suspicious of anybody who calls and asks about cost first. Because they are careful to place puppies in good homes, they are suspicious of people who sound like they are only interested in getting a good deal.
Visit the Breeder
Your best bet, to know that you are working with someone reputable, is to visit the breeder in person.
Does the breeder keep the dogs in outdoor kennels, or inside the house? (Many breeders keep smaller breeds inside.) Is the facility clean? Do the dogs look well cared-for? Do they look contented or do they fight and growl? While many breeds will bark enthusiastically at visitors, they shouldn’t seem frantic or desperate for attention.
Be sure to ask:
- What does the breeder want you to know about the breed? Every breed has its challenges, and responsible breeders would never send puppies home to someone who wasn’t prepared for that breed’s requirements, such as lots of grooming for long-coated breeds, lots of exercise for athletic breeds, or early training and socialization for large, assertive breeds.
- What are the breeders’ priorities? Breeders who care about the breed work to eliminate health problems and improve temperament in addition to preserving the unique physical characteristics of the breed. Good breeders have strong ideas about their breeding priorities
- How soon do you let the puppies go home? Toy breeds shouldn’t leave their mothers until 12 weeks. Larger breeds often go home around 8 weeks. These early weeks with the mother and littermates are incredibly important for a puppy’s physical and social development
- What are the breed’s health issues? Good breeders often do health tests, like orthopedic evaluations or blood tests for genetic diseases. Ask what health tests the breeder does, and whether a puppy’s parents have been tested.
- Will you receive a health guarantee and will you have to sign a contract or purchase agreement? Health guarantees and purchase agreements protect both you and the breeder. Be sure you know and understand exactly what these documents say before you sign.
- Can you provide references? Good breeders gladly will share the names of buyers and vets who can vouch for their high-quality puppies. Don’t just take the references -- check them!
Answer Questions Truthfully
Breeders who care about their dogs want them to go to the best homes, so they should have plenty of questions for you. Be prepared for questions about where you live, what kind of yard you have, where you will keep the dog, how often you are home, what you plan to feed the dog, who your veterinarian is, what dogs you have had in the past and what kind of dog experience you have, what other pets you have, whether you have children, and whether everyone in the family knows and wants the dog.
Some of the breeder’s questions may sound intrusive, but don’t be offended. If the breeder refuses to sell you a puppy, there might be a good reason and you might consider re-evaulating your breed choice, or whether you are ready for any dog right now.
