QUESTIONS TO ASK A BREEDER - ARE THEY A PUPPY MILL OR ARE THEY REPUTABLE?
The American Kennel Club highly recommends puppy buyers research and locate reputable breeders in their area that have puppies for sale. The below topics will help insure that you are buying a pet from a reputable breeders, and not from a puppy mill...
Thinking about buying a dog?
So you've decided to purchase a dog. Owning a dog can be the beginning of years of happiness as the special bond between humans and canines exceeds even the greatest of expectations. However, to ensure the best relationship with your dog, you must be prepared for some important responsibilities. Please follow the below to learn about essential considerations you should think about prior to purchasing a puppy.
So you've decided to purchase a dog. Owning a dog can be the beginning of years of happiness as the special bond between humans and canines exceeds even the greatest of expectations. However, to ensure the best relationship with your dog, you must be prepared for some important responsibilities. Please follow the below to learn about essential considerations you should think about prior to purchasing a puppy.
The Breed For You
Is there a breed you have had your eye on, or are you confused about how to select a dog? In either case, you should do some homework to make sure that you select the right dog for you and your family. The bonus of selecting a purebred dog is their predictability in size, coat, care requirements and temperament. Knowing what your cute puppy will look like and the kind of care he will need as an adult is a key in selecting the breed for you.
You and Your Dog
Too frequently, common sense goes out the window when it comes to buying a puppy. This seems to be even truer when the purchase is by a family with children. Buying a dog is like buying anything else; the more you know before you buy, the better off you will be. This advice applies to all aspects of buying your dog, from selecting the breed to deciding where to obtain the puppy. We strongly recommend that you spend enough time investigating before buying. Remember, dogs are for life. Remember to consider your dog's lifestyle, too. And for extended research, consult resources on the Internet. While investigating, always be honest with yourself. The Bearded Collie you fell in love because of his lush coat is indeed beautiful, but are you going to have time to brush this coat every day as it requires? Maybe a short coated Labrador Retriever better suits your busy lifestyle. Think about the size of your house or your apartment. Will a Golden Retriever be happy in your studio apartment? Do you have a fenced yard so he can go out safely? If not, can you afford to install a fence? These are crucial questions regarding the safety of your dog and being a responsible neighbor. Always remember, it is okay to change your mind about which breed you want or if you want the responsibility of owning a dog at all. Owning a dog is a big responsibility! Talk to breeders. Ask them lots of questions! THERE ARE NO STUPID QUESTIONS! A responsible breeder will eagerly answer your questions and share his or her experience and knowledge with you. Where can you find breeders and see dogs? Try "www.breeders.net" to locate a breeders in your area or ask your veteranian.
Selecting A Reputable Breeder
Buy your puppy from a responsible and well-respected breeder. This cannot be stressed enough. Responsible breeders are concerned with the betterment of the breed. For example, they work on breeding healthier dogs with the appropriate temperament for their breed. Your AKC breeder referral contact will direct you to a breeder who is concerned with the future of the puppy. Once you select a breeder, screen the breeder. Ask to see at least one of the parents (the dam or the sire) of your puppy. See how the dogs in your breeder's home interact with your breeder. Are they friendly and outgoing or do they shy away? AKC recommends when you start looking looking for a puppy, you should visit the home of the breeder to see their condition of their whelping facilities - is it clean? Are the dog well-cared for? Is there adequate room for all their dogs? Do the dogs temperaments appear "happy", or are they confrontational and stressed. Once you select a breeder, screen the breeder. Ask to see at least one of the parents (the dam or the sire) of your puppy. The responsible breeder will also be screening you, looking for the best home for each of their puppies.
How Much Does A High Quality Puppy Cost?
This is not the time to hunt for a bargain. Your new puppy will be a member of your family for his lifetime of 12-15 years or longer, so you'll want to make a wise investment. You don't want to pay $500, $600 or more and in less than 6 months the dog has hip
dysplatia. Hip dysplatia can be surgically-corrected but at a cost of approximately $2,000 per hip. Where's your cost-savings then?
Can You Afford A Puppy?
The purchase price of your puppy is not the only cost you have to consider. Be aware that the puppy you bring home will need proper care, such as veterinary health care and food. Your puppy will also require things like a collar with their identification, a bowl, and a leash. Evaluate your budget; ask yourself if you really can afford a dog. Dog Ownership = Responsibility. The AKC Pet Healthcare Plan available in 50 states, can help you budget sensibly and responsibly for the lifelong healthcare needs of your dog. Take the time to ask yourself these questions and to make an educated decision. You and your dog will be happier for it. There is no doubt that a puppy is a cuddly bundle of joy, but it is also a huge responsibility.
Caring For Your Dog
All dogs must be cared for daily. This means proper diet, exercise, grooming and veterinary attention. There are many excellent guides on all facets of dog care. AKC's own books, The Complete Dog Book and Dog Care and Training, contain information on proper dog care. We recommend you have these or some other authoritative reference source available. Do not attempt to be your own veterinarian! All dogs should be regularly examined by a veterinarian and inoculated against the major infectious canine diseases.
Your Dog and Your Neighbors
All dog owners must be aware of their responsibilities to their neighbors, both those who live in the area immediately around their residence and their neighbors in the broader sense of the community as a whole. Dogs, for all the pleasure they are, can be a nuisance to your neighbors if not trained. Remember, excessive barking can be annoying. And, always keep your dog on a leash or inside a fenced yard when exercising. Remember to pick up after your dog. Forestall problems for yourself and your dog and all dog lovers by being a good neighbor.
Obedience Training Is For Everyone!
One way to make your dog a good neighbor is through obedience training. A poorly behaved dog is a problem for everyone. Nothing is more frustrating than attempting to corral a dog that will not "come" when you call. A well-trained dog is not only a pleasure to own, he is a goodwill ambassador for the entire canine community. A well-behaved dog is the result of the dog's owner being willing to work with the dog regularly in a systematic manner. Obedience classes are available in most communities. Time spent training your dog is time well spent.
Helpful Tips When Purchasing a Puppy
When you finally select a reputable breeder, be prepared to ask a lot of questions about the puppy or dog you hope to acquire.
1. Have the adults had any veterinary genetic screening for hip dysplatia, elbow dysplatia, any eye problems, are they DNA-Registered
to insure there is no cross or line-breeding and are all the medical documents available for viewing? Do they have an official AKC
Pedigree on each of the parents and is this too, available for viewing?
2. What possible health problems might this dog develop? How far back did the breeder investigate selecting a future breeding dog?
3. When you take your puppy home, what type information is given to you by the breeder? Are you given any sort of Health Warranty
3. When you take your puppy home, what type information is given to you by the breeder? Are you given any sort of Health Warranty
for Hip dysplatia, or etc? Has there been a Health Record started on your puppy so you know when to give the next sets of puppy
inoculations? Do they give you a copy of the parent's pedigrees? Is the litter AKC-Registered and are you given your copy to
register your dog? Are you given any sort of Puppy Starter Kits? Are you given any sort of information on what to feed your puppy?
4.Can the breeder furnish past clients telephone numbers or addresses to verify good dog "genetics?"
5. How big will the dog get? What will their temperament be when fully-mature?
6. How old will he be before he acts like an adult dog?
7. How protective will the dog be?
8. How often will the dog need to be groomed?
9. How does he get along with other animals?
10. How long can he be left alone at home?
11. How much exercise does the dog need?
12. What are the best training methods for this dog?
6. How old will he be before he acts like an adult dog?
7. How protective will the dog be?
8. How often will the dog need to be groomed?
9. How does he get along with other animals?
10. How long can he be left alone at home?
11. How much exercise does the dog need?
12. What are the best training methods for this dog?
The breeder you select should be willing to answer all of your questions fully. If they can't answer these basic questions, you
have made contact with a "Backyard Breeder"....RUN BEFORE YOU FALL VICTIM!!! A reputable breeder should also ask questions about you, your lifestyle, and your family. If a contact doesn't respond to your inquiries, or doesn't show any interest in the life the dog will lead after it leaves his or her premises, you may want to look elsewhere. A responsible breeder is committed to making a good match between prospective owners and the dogs in their care; that's the kind of person you want on your side as you make the journey into dog ownership.
