How to Choose a Responsible Breeder
Do your research on the breed that you want to bring into your home. It is important for you to know the breed standards, health, quality, and care that comes with the breed.
Pick your breeder before you pick your puppy. You want to make sure you connect with the breeder and that you get that warm and fuzzy feeling about them and their puppies. The breeder should want to be there for the lifetime and beyond the puppy you adopt.
How many breeds does the breeder raise? Anything over 2 is too many for me. I’m not against the designer puppies as long as it is done with intention and the two breeds being mixed together are a nice combination together. Keep in mind if you are adopting a designer puppy you need to do your research on both of the breeds for the one puppy you adopt.
Ask the breeder about the faults in the breed.
Ask the breeder about the health issues in the breed and if/when they’ve encountered any of them.
Does the breeder have a health guarantee? Any puppy you adopt should come with at least a 1 year health guarantee, 3 years is better, and 5 years is great. Please read, re-read, and re-read again the contract / health guarantee. Make sure you understand it and ask questions about things that you are unsure of. This document is there to protect the puppy, the puppy purchaser, and the breeder.
Does the breeder have a spay/neuter agreement? Reputable breeders who are ethical will require their puppies to be spayed/neutered for all of their pet puppies and will be very strict on giving full registration to show or breed.
Does the breeder require you to fill out an adoption form or go through a series of questions as part of their adoption process? The breeder should want to know as much about you and your family to make sure the puppy is going to be the right fit for you.
If the breeder acts like they are in a hurry for your money be cautious. Adopting a puppy should not be done on impulse. Both you and the breeder should make sure this is the right time and puppy for you (this is part of the adoption form / adoption process).
A reputable breeder will require to speak with you on the phone before you send any money.
Make sure that if for any reason you are unable to keep or care for the dog it is a requirement that the dog goes back to the breeder. A reputable breeder will have this as part of their contract because they take 100% responsibility for each and every puppy they bring into the world.
Reputable breeders spend a lot of time, money, love and care into their moms/dads and puppies. For them this is their hobby and passion in life, you should be able to hear it in their voice, see it through their testimonials / references, websites and social media or whatever they use.
Trust your gut. If something doesn’t feel right, walk away.
Please be considerate of our four legged friends, do your research, and purchase from a Reputable Breeder.