Short of adopting from a shelter, one of the best ways to get a dog is to go through a breeder. You will need to choose carefully to ensure that you get the best pet possible. Here are a few tips to find a good dog breeder.
Breed
Before you even seek out a breeder, you will need to decide exactly what type of breed you want from the many possibilities. Consider various things such as your schedule, the breed’s typical temperament, and even health problems that the breed usually has to deal with. After making your choice, you can search for a breeder who works with it.
Experience
When trying to find a reputable dog breeder, you will need to interview any potential candidates. Experience isn’t everything, but obviously more experience is better. Also, make sure that you select a breeder who is registered with a naturally recognized organization. For those in the U.S., one of the most important is the American Kennel Club, or AKC.
Health
As mentioned previously, certain breeds suffer from certain health problems more than others. This is something that you should research when trying to decide on a dog breed. You will want to ask the breeder if he is familiar with these innate health problems. Plenty of good breeders conduct genetic testing and offer guarantees for the health of their dogs. Also ask if any of his past customers have had issues with these health conditions.
Speaking of health, your new puppy will need various rounds of shots. Ask the breeder if your puppy will have already received the first round. Some of them won’t even sell dogs until they reach a certain age and have received initial immunization shots.
Environment
It’s not enough to simply talk to someone you suspect of being a reputable dog breeder. You need to take a look at the facilities as well. Everything should be clean, and all of the dogs should look healthy. There should also be plenty of space to accommodate all of the canines. Avoid breeders that have issues with overcrowding.
Parents
By getting a good look at the parents, you’ll get a good gauge of how your puppy will be in the future. Don’t worry too much if the father isn’t available to be seen. You should definitely be able to view the mother though. Pay particular attention to her behavior since some problems are passed down genetically.
References
If you know someone who can recommend a good breeder, that’s all the better. If you already own a dog, then you’ll already have a relationship with a veterinarian. Vets are good sources for references for dog breeders. The breeder himself may provide you with a few phone numbers of past customers for you to talk to too.
Location
Depending on where you live, location may be a problem. The best dog breeders may not be in close proximity to you. If that’s the case, then you’ll need to be willing to travel if you want to deal with the best. Don’t just choose someone because they’re local to you.
With these tips, you should have little trouble finding an excellent dog breeder. Make sure that you stay away from so-called puppy mills though. Not only are the operations unethical to canines, but owners often run into health problems with their pets in the future because of breeding practices.