- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
There are lots of great ways to get a puppy—and breeders are a popular choice, especially if you have a particular kind of dog in mind. But not just any breeder will do.
A reputable breeder will work hard to conduct safe, ethical dog breeding, avoiding the dangerous practices of puppy mills. They’ll ensure that the puppies in their care are healthy and well-socialized, and they’ll also make sure your lifestyle is a good fit for your future pup.
We spoke to Dr. Nell Ostermeier, veterinarian and spokesperson for Figo Pet Insurance, to help aspiring pet parents learn how to find a reputable dog breeder and what questions to ask.
5 Ways To Find a Reputable Breeder
To get a puppy from a responsible breeder, Dr. Ostermeier recommends taking the following steps.
- Connect with national breed clubs. National breed clubs may be able to refer you to reputable breeders in your city or state who meet specific breed standards.
- Attend a local dog show or event and speak with the participants. Other pet parents may be able to recommend a reputable breeder they’ve worked with before.
- Check out the American Kennel Club to find reputable breeders. Visit the AKC breeder referral site or the AKC Marketplace to find breeders in your area.
- Look up breed groups in your state on Facebook. Although you’ll want to avoid fan pages, searching for breed groups in your state can connect you with local dog guardians and reputable breeders.
- Reach out to a friend or family member who has successfully adopted a healthy dog of the same breed. Your own personal network of fellow dog lovers can also be an excellent resource.
It’s also worth considering your local animal shelter or rescue group. They have more purebred puppies than you might expect, and good rescues will have just as many checks and safety precautions in place as reputable breeders.
What Do Certified Dog Breeders Do?
Responsible breeders provide a healthy, loving environment for their dogs. When adopting out, they seek the same in a new family for their puppies. Responsible dog breeders will:
- Introduce you to the puppy’s parents and show you where they live.
- Explain the puppy’s vaccine and medical history, and give you a vet’s contact info.
- Offer certificates of genetic testing.
- Select breeding pairs responsibly to ensure optimal health and breed standards of the puppies.
- Avoid over-breeding and keep litter sizes small. This may mean they don’t have puppies year-round and keep a waiting list of interested families.
- Happily answer any questions you may have about the puppy’s background and care, as well as their breeding practices.
- Provide more information about the breed’s characteristics and traits.
- Ask about your and your family’s lifestyle, including factors like whether you live in an apartment or have kids, why you want this kind of breed, and how you will care for and train your dog.
- Avoid pressure sales tactics. Ethical dog breeders and rescue groups are not in it to make money. Instead, they believe in maintaining and furthering the breed and finding a good fit for every dog.
- Provide written contracts that outline the terms of the sale and offer health guarantees. They should also outline what will happen if the dog is ever returned.
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Are There Certifications for Ethical Breeders?
Certifications are a way for ethical breeders to distinguish themselves and build their professional reputation. Two well-known certification programs are the AKC Breeder of Merit and the Better Breeder Certification.
The AKC Breeder of Merit certification requires that breeders perform health screenings on their puppies and individually register every puppy. It also requires breeders to have earned at least four AKC Conformation, Performance, or Companion event titles on puppies they bred. Keep in mind, though, that a listing on the AKC Marketplace is separate from the AKC Breeder of Merit program and doesn’t guarantee that a breeder is ethical, so make sure to ask about the certification.
As its name implies, the Better Breeder Certification ensures that breeders adhere to a code of ethics, conduct thorough health screenings, maintain clean and sanitary facilities, provide written contracts to potential dog owners, and participate in recognized purebred events.
What To Avoid: Breeder Red Flags
When looking for a specific breed, be wary of puppy mills and breeders that prioritize generating revenue over the health and well-being of their puppies.
Watch out for breeders who:
- Breed dogs too young or breed dogs who show undesirable traits. Be wary of breeders who breed dogs before they are at least a year old, before there is a chance to identify any potential genetic defects.
- Specialize in multiple breeds. A good breeder has a narrow focus. It’s also a good idea to carefully check the resume of breeders who produce multiple kinds of “designer” breeds, or intentional crosses of two purebred dogs. Goldendoodles and Yorkipoos are popular examples.
- Are actually puppy brokers. Avoid working with anyone not directly involved in the breeding process. They’ll be less knowledgeable about a puppy’s health and may be sourcing puppies from unethical breeders.
- Give poor answers to specific questions. “Most reputable breeders are excited to talk about their line, and if you do not get that feeling, it may not be a good fit,” says Dr. Ostermeier.
Questions for Dog Breeders
When vetting a potential dog breeder, here are some questions you might consider asking them. We’ve also included ideal responses.
How are you socializing the puppies?
You want a breeder who can tell you all the ways they’re making an effort to socialize their puppies. This could be positive exposure to grooming and handling or getting them used to being around other people and pets.
A reputable breeder might also be taking specific socialization steps to address breed traits. For instance, breeders of herding dogs might already be working on exposing and desensitizing young pups to potential fast-moving triggers, such as bikes, joggers, and other animals in motion.
What are common health issues for this breed?
A reputable breeder should know this information as well as the back of their hand. They should also be transparent about any health issues in their previous litters or current lines. You’ll also want to ask about ailments that may not be detected through testing and screening, such as allergies, poor dental health, arthritis, cancer, or skeletal issues.
Are your dogs screened for genetic diseases?
Ethical breeders will seek to minimize any breed- or genetic-related diseases when choosing pairs to mate. This typically results in screening puppies for common genetic and health-related issues associated with their breed, like hip dysplasia or eye disease.
For a list of recommended genetic screenings and health evaluations by breed, check out The Canine Health Information Center (CHIC) list. You can also verify whether the breeder has conducted those tests on OFFA.org.
How many litters do you have at a time?
Ethical breeders will only have one litter at a time, so you’ll usually be waitlisted for a puppy. If a breeder has year-round availability, this points to a puppy mill.
Evgeniya Shihaleeva
When do you let your puppies go to new homes?
Puppies shouldn’t leave their mother or littermates before they’re 8 weeks old. Some breed clubs also set a 10- to 12-week minimum before puppies can be released to new homes. There are even certain states that have laws against selling a puppy before they’re a specific age.
Reputable breeders will be up-to-date on current research and regulations regarding when pups should be separated from their mother and siblings.
What kind of support do they offer after a puppy is brought home?
A reputable breeder will sometimes call to check in after a puppy goes home with its new family. They may also offer support related to health or training concerns. If the puppy needs to be returned, a breeder may work with the family to take the puppy back.
Understanding Companion vs. Working vs. Show Dogs
Not only can a dog’s breed influence their physical traits, but it can also affect their activity and lifestyle needs. That’s why it’s essential to research the breed you’re interested in and determine how much physical and mental stimulation they require on a daily basis, as well as whether it aligns with your available time and energy resources.
For example, working breeds like Huskies and Shepherds, which were bred to perform tasks and be physically active for large parts of the day, are often high-energy and require more physical exertion.
In contrast, companion dogs, such as Shih Tzus and Chihuahuas, were bred to be lap dogs and lend emotional support to their owners. They typically have lower energy and physical activity needs.
Show dogs, which are often bred for their temperament and physical appearance, can also make great pets. However, they may require additional grooming and training to maintain their show-readiness.
“All dogs can make great companions and form a lasting human-animal bond with the right training and positive environment. However, problems can arise when the breed is not a good fit for your lifestyle,” notes Dr. Ostermeier. “Good breeders will talk to you about the characteristics of their line, and together, you can make decisions on whether it may be a good fit.”
Breeder alternatives
In addition to breeders, there are other ways to find a dog of a specific breed. It’s possible to adopt purebred dogs from rescue organizations. There are even breed-specific rescues that specialize in a single breed. Retired working dogs, whether service animals or dogs who had careers in the police or military, can also make calm, loving, and devoted pets.
With a little bit of patience, your thorough research will pay off when you find the best dog for you or your family.
