How do you know which breeder to buy from? PT.1

[drgnrdr]

I think maybe some need help on how to buy a pup to keep the bad from the good and you don't get burned ..here's some tips... How will you know if he is a responsible breeder? What are the signs to watch out for? When should you take your money and run ... in the opposite direction? ~He won't let you see the puppy's parents (the father may not always be on site, this is normal, but he should know in depth about the male he mated his female to). ~He won't let you see his breeding facility. ~He can not produce registration papers for the parents. ~He does not have the registration papers for the current litter of puppies. ~He has no pedigrees on either of the parents. ~None of his puppies come with guarantees. ~None of his dogs have been checked for genetic diseases. ~None of his dogs have been OFA'd. ~None of his dogs have been CERFed. (For OFA and CERF not sure what is done in UK to certify a dogs joints/hips/eyes and health..maybe someone can kindly add that) ~He does not want to know if anything has happened to your dog (that came from him). ~He breeds a lot of unrecognized breeds - ****-a-poos, Spoodles, Labradoodles and the like. ~No veterinary health checks of the puppies from birth. ~No mandatory spaying/neutering of pet quality animals. ~No mandatory vaccinations (at least basic ones), no de-worming. ~Breeding solely for "pet quality" means breeding for money - not for the betterment of anything. ~Does not breed to better the overall conformation or working style of the breed. ~Does not know the history of his chosen breed. ~His dogs appear to be in ill-health.

[SaxyJag]

Agree wholeheartedly.

I would just add, if you're planning to buy a pedigree pup, then the appropriate breed society is a good place to start. You can find their information from the Kennel Club.

I'm not sure about the KC, but the breed society will have lists of registered breeders and breed rescue societies, all of whom have to satisfy most, if not all, of the above criteria in order to retain membership.

[woofgang]

I would like to add that in my experience a reliable breeder will, in the nicest possible way, give you the 1st 2nd 3rd and 4th degrees about your lifestyle, history and ability to care for one of their precious princes or princesses. They will want you to let them know how you get on and will be happy to offer advice after you have taken your puppy home. They won't put pressure on you to breed from your puppy.
They may expect you to wash your hands before you see the puppies (and certainly to be wearing clean clothes!) and may require you not to visit more than one litter on any one day. They may put conditions on your bringing along your children to visit the puppies, especially if they are small.
You might have to wait for a puppy because they don't breed that many.
The puppies may not live in the house but will be used to household noise and bustle and people but may not be accustomed to small children.
When we lived nearer to her, one of the nicest "favours" that we have ever done for the lady who bred our dogs was to visit and spend time with new litters to start with early socialisation before they went to their new homes.
You will feel that they care more about the future of each dog they breed than they do about the money.

[drgnrdr]

Thank you for your input...

[lankeela]

Excellent advice. I wish more people would ask for advice/help before getting a puppy or kitten, instead of needing help when it is too late.

[deemartin]

Most rescue centres will also give you a good grilling and a home visit before allowing you to adopt. You can then get help from them in choosing the right animal for you. Why do so many people buy these so called pedigree dogs from what are in effect puppy factories they are asking for loads of heart ache never mind expensive vets bills.
I'm a dog lover who's rehomed 4 great dogs over the last 16 years all from rescue centres, some breeds and some mongrels. If you want a loving companion please consider a cross or an older dog. Many are delightful welbehaved mutts who owners have died or gone into hospital and not all the 'problem' dogs that people think.
Good rescue centres want their placements to be sucessful and try hard to place dogs with the right sort of owners.
Please don't think I'm anti pedigree cos I'm not but it seems to be such a fashion led business that leads to these unscrupulous people cashing in at the expense of the poor animals.

[woofgang]

I do wonder if some rehoming organisations take things too far though.
We have had a succession of weimaraners over the past 20 or so years all from the same breeder. Twice during that time we have tried to adopt from rehoming organisations and been refused. We have a large secure garden, I work locally part time with very flexible hours, the lady who bred our dogs is a respected breeder and gave us an excellent reference. We live on the edge of the new forest and go there every day for free running exercise.
One refused because they don't rehome EVER during December....even though their facility was bursting and they expected more, the other because we wanted to choose our new friend instead of being allocated one after their assessment.
I have a friend who was declined by a rehoming organisation because when the assessor visited her at home, she said that the dog might not be taken out for a walk everyday although it would be free to romp in the garden as they run a small hotel and one of them is always on the premises and available....They have a four acre garden for goodness sake.
On the third occasion that we rehomed a dog who had to be put to sleep because of unresolvable behaviour problems and we had the heartbreak of having to do that.
We may have been unlucky but there are deffo two sides to the rehoming thing.

[kita1]

I had a friend who (before she knew me) went along to see a litter of white GSD puppies (supposedly pedigree, the pedigree was a photocopied piece of rubbish!).

She bought a pup because she felt so sorry for them and could not bear to leave him behind. The pups were behind a setee in the living room of a council house in a rough part of town. When she got him home she had to bath him twice to get rid of the smell. She was told he was six weeks old (but that is debatable she would not know the difference). She had to have him put to sleep at 3 years old, he had pancreatic insufficiency (could not digest fat of any sort), she had months of heartache with him, all because she was naive and felt sorry for the pup.

Her next dog was bought from a breeder with my guidance. Again a white GSD (yes I know they are incorrect but she had fallen for them). This time a proper pedigree, from a responsible breeder. She just lost him at 11 years old with bone cancer after a long and happy life.

People buy from bad breeders and puppy farms because they are naive and when they get there feel sorry for the dogs, same applies to some rescue centres, people choose totally the wrong dog for them because they feel sorry for the dog and feel that any home is better than the rescue centre!

[drgnrdr]

Thank you everyone for your responses. I totally ADVOCATE rescue and/or shelter adoptions. My dogs have always been from shelters or rescue. My present dog is the first "purebred" dog, from a rescue. She has more problems than any other dog I have adopted. I put this on here to inform ppl how to get a dog from a reputable breeder, if that is what you HAVE to have. Please Spay/neuter if you do get any pet, there are so many out there, more is not needed.