Critical
Questions to ask Breeders
1. Are the puppies registered? With which
registry? May I see the parents' registration papers?
Currently, the AKC (American Kennel Club) and UKC
(United Kennel Club) are the favored registry of pet,
show, and obedience owners. There is also breed specific
registries. Having registration does not guarantee
anything except being able to trace a dog's pedigree.
It does not guarantee that the puppies are healthy
or of good quality.
2.
Are the parents' hip X-rayed and eye tested? May I see
the CERF/OFA
documents?
Almost all breeds suffer from hip dysphasia and hereditary
eye disease. The Canine
Eye Registration Foundation (CERF) certifies dogs free
from eye diseases and issues a registration number.
Likewise, the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OF
A) issues registration numbers for dogs that are found
to be free of hip dysphasia. OF A rates the hips as
Excellent, Good; Fair, and Poor. Dogs that cannot pass
a hip
screening will not have any certification. If you don't
see it - the dog probably does
not have hips and eyes certified BEWARE!
3.
Have the puppies been wormed? With what medication?
How often? Have dewclaws been removed? What vaccinations do the puppies
have?
You should be given a complete medical history of any
puppy. If they haven't been
wormed or vaccinated; you may be buying expensive, irreversible
problems. Good
breeders will also recommend you to have a puppy checked
by your Vet within 3 days
of purchase.
4.
Are there any known genetic disorders, such as hip dysphasia,
epilepsy, deafness, bleeding, or thyroid disorders in
the lines? What about aggression?
If there is a hint of these disorders, or any other
problem, in the first four generations
of a line, don't buy the puppy!
5.
Do you offer any guarantees on the puppies?
Get all guarantees in writing! Most reputable breeders
will insist on a contract that
specifies the buyer's obligations as well as the breeder's
obligations and guarantees.
6.
If I can't keep the puppy, will you take the puppy back
or help me rehome it?
Have you had puppies or adults returned to you before?
If so, for what reason? What happened to them?
Good breeders will always help their puppy buyers. Good
breeders do not want dogs
that they have bred to wind up in shelters or in rescue
groups. Accept nothing less!
7. Are you available for advice
and consultation? Are you a member of any dog clubs
or organization? On the average, how many litters do
you breed a year? About how many are there in your average
litter? What single trait do you breed for? Why do you
breed this breed? Tell me about the accomplishments
of some of the dogs you've bred. Do you breed other
types of dogs?
The answer to these questions will help you
form an opinion of the breeder's
motivation. If the puppies are a cash crop - DON'T BUY!
Also, be careful if the
breeder only has one female and they wanted their family
to see a birth or they felt
that their female needed to have at least one litter
in her life. This is the reason there
are so many dogs in the shelters and rescues!
8. Do the parents have any titles?
May I see documentation?
Any claims of winning titles in any area of endeavor
should be easily proven. Most
people who have achieved titles on their dogs are happy
to brag and tell you all about
their accomplishments.
9. How old is the mother of
the puppies? How many litters has she had? When was
her first litter? How old was she when she had her first
litter? .
These questions separate the caring, reliable breeders
from the puppy farms. Avoid
breeders who begin breeding females under the age of
two and have successive litters from the same dog. This
is CRUEL and you have the power to stop the abuse simply
by choosing a good breeder.
10. May I visit the premises
and see the breeding/kennel facilities? May I see both
parents and watch them work or play with them?
If you aren't welcome in these areas, be suspicious.
Other General questions you
can ask are:
-How big will the dog get?
-About how long should this dog live?
-How old will the dog be before it acts like an adult
dog?
-How often will the dog need grooming?
-How much exercise will the dog need as a puppy? As
an adult?
-What are the best training methods for this breed?
It is also wise to know as much about
a breed before you go and look at puppies. . Know what
a serious fault in a breed is and what is not, so that
the breeder isn't trying to pawn off a bad dog onto
you. A good place to look is www.akc.org
for breed standards of most breeds
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