It is estimated that over 50% of puppies raised in the U.S. are raised by people who NEVER have another litter. Few of these people are well informed, prepared for the experience, and do a good job. These people do not usually stand behind their puppies and very few are equipped to take adequate care of all the puppies until they can be placed in good homes - regardless of how long that takes. A large percentage of those puppies are raised by people that raise and sell many litters and have many breeds, or they sell to retailers and pet stores for resale.
This leaves a relatively small percentage of puppies that are being raised by experienced people who are dedicated to one or two breeds and raising puppies for reasons other than maximum profit. However, not all of these breeders are knowledgeable and conscientious.
How Do You Recognize a Reputable Breeder?
When you call a reputable breeder to inquire about a puppy, they will interview you whether that be by interview or by the breeder asking you to fill out an application or questionnaire. They will also use a written contract that clearly sets forth their guarantee, their responsibility, and your responsibility for the puppy. They will not sell you a puppy simply because you want one and have the money to pay for one. They want to know that you can house and raise their puppy appropriately and that their puppy will have one permanent home for his entire lifetime. They will have a no questions asked return policy if for any reason you are unable to keep the puppy. This policy is sometimes referred to as a First Right of Refusal. That policy will be clearly stated in their contract.
You will talk to and buy the puppy from the breeder who raised the litter and owns the mother (”dam”). Reputable breeders don’t trust other people to screen buyers for them and would never offer a puppy as a prize, place it for sale on e-bay, or place it up for auction. Despite what most people think, buying a puppy directly from the breeder does not cost any more because there is no “middle-man.” A reputable breeder will provide all their puppies with age appropriate vaccination(s) and a worm test or age appropriate worming(s). A reputable breeder will have had the puppies examined (at the minimum) one time prior to their going to their new homes. A reputable breeder will know the ancestry of the puppies and will provide you with a written/printed pedigree which should reflect at a minimum 4 generations.
A reputable breeder will not have multiple litters of multiple breeds. One to three breeds is typical and one to four litters a year is typical. A reputable breeder will be actively involved in showing, training, doing rescue, etc. This will be evidenced by photos, books, and possibly awards of long-term interest and activity in the breed. The puppies’ environment will be clean with ample room for play.
The puppies will not have been prematurely separated from their mother and littermates, should remain with its littermates and mother until about 8 weeks of age. A reputable will not allow their puppies to go to their new homes until they have reached an age that is considered optimal for that breed.
As stated above, a reputable breeder will have a written contract - no agreements will be made without it being in writing. A reputable breeder will be there to help and advise you throughout the life of the puppy. As stated above, many breeders will ask you to bring the puppy back to them at any age if for any reason you can’t keep it. That will be clearly stated in their contract with you.
In all likelihood, you will be encouraged to take a puppy with a spay/neuter agreement. The breeding of dogs is a responsibility that should not be entered into lightly. The prevention of over-population and haphazard breeding is the responsibility of the person selling the puppy. To that end, many reputable breeders now take part in the early spay/neuter program or they will only sell their puppies with a “limited” AKC registration with a spay/neuter contract. A limited registration with the AKC means that the puppy is fully registered with them, however, no offspring would be eligible for registration. A puppy with a limited registration can be shown in some AKC events, but not conformation.
A reputable breeder will insist that you prepare an appropriate place at home for your puppy before you take your puppy home. They will give you thorough personal instructions on the feeding and care of the puppy, and a record of vaccination(s) and worming(s).
Many breeders will withhold the registration paperwork until the breeder receives written confirmation that the puppy has been spayed/neutered. However, if the registration paperwork is withheld, the breeder should furnish you with the registered names and numbers of the sire and dam, birth date of the litter and, the name, address and phone number of breeder. If the breeder takes part in the early spay/neuter program, they should provide you with the registration paperwork when you pick up your puppy and execute the contract.
Dog Article courtesy of http://www.chenoagsd.com
