How to Find a Reputable Dog Breeder You Can Trust

Member

By Rachel Angelina
User-Submitted Article

Article Rating: (16 Ratings)

Find a Reputable Dog Breeder You Can Trust

You've decided you want a purebred puppy! Sometimes it's hard to know where to start. Here are a few tips on how to find a responsible dog breeder.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Step 1

Start by researching your breed of choice. Learn everything you can about them so you can be assured that this breed will suit your lifestyle.
Step 2

Contact the parent club for the breed. They can refer you to breeders closest to you.
Step 3

Go to dog shows. At a dog show you can meet breeders and dog owners. You will get some of the best information from people who are involved in the breed. They can usually let you know who may have puppies. A reputable breeder will be actively involved in the breed either in the show ring, out on the coursing field, or somewhere in between. If the breeder has a good reputation to maintain in competition, they will be careful which dogs they breed so they can maintain the quality that their reputation has been built on.
Step 4

The breeder you choose should know the breed inside and out. From genetics to history.
Step 5

The breeder will allow you to visit their home and see where their dogs live. Make sure the environment is safe, clean, and suitable. You will be able to meet one or both of the parents. Sometimes the sire is from another kennel, but they should have photos and information on that dog for you to review as well as a way for you to contact that dog's owner.
Step 6

Spend some time with their dogs. Make sure their personalities are what is expected from their breed and from you.
Step 7

A reputable breeder will do all the necessary genetic testing for their breed. They will have their dogs seen regularly by a veterinarian. They should also be able to openly discuss with you any faults or genetic problems that their lines may carry. You should be able to view the medical records of the parents. Ask for the name of their vet so you can get a vet reference to make sure they properly care for their dogs.
Step 8

They should offer a health and genetic disease guarantee for their dogs and a sales contract. The breeder typically allows you a few days to have your new puppy examined by your own veterinarian to assure you and them of its health.
Step 9

The breeder should be as concerned about you, a potential owner of one of their puppies, as you are of them. In fact, they should not want to sell you the puppy until they know more about you. They will ask you several questions such as:

Do you have a fenced yard?
Have you owned dogs before? What happened to them?
Do you have children? Do they know how to properly treat animals?
Have you owned this breed before?
Will you be showing this dog?
Step 10

You need to ask them questions too. Here are a some examples, just to name a few:

Do you belong to a local/national breed club?
Are you involved in any events such as showing, obedience, etc?
Do you have references from other people who have dogs from you?
Do you have all the necessary medical tests performed?

Ask as many questions as you feel you need to. The breeder should be more than happy to answer any and all you may have. A lot of these questions can be answered by phone or e-mail before you visit their kennel to save you time and an unnecessary drive.
Step 11

The breeder should be open to taking the dog back if something happens that you are no longer able to care for the dog.
Step 12

They will educate you on how to properly care for your new puppy, and they should be available to you throughout the dogs life to answer any questions you may have on socialization, training, health etc.
Step 13

Reputable breeders strive to improve the breed. If you are buying a puppy as pet quality and not to show, the breeder should require you to have your pet spayed or neutered.