Practical Dog Training Tips

Finding A Good Puppy

Begin with a good breeder!

After you have decided on a certain breed, you need to find a good breeder. Here, as in any purchase, it's "buyer beware". Just because a breeder belongs to all the right "doggy organizations" doesn't necessarily mean you've found a good breeder.
Membership in national and local breed-clubs is not a guarantee of integrity or knowledge. Most breeders are honest, knowledgeable folks with a genuine love of the breed they are involved in. Just keep one eye open for the exception to that rule.

Where can I find a good breeder?

National and area kennel and breed club publications are good sources of information about breeders in your area. Recommendations from satisfied customers are invaluable in finding a good breeder.

How do I know if I've found a good breeder?

Life's just one big gamble, isn't it? However, there are certain things which are characteristic of good breeders.

reason for breeding

Most good breeders do not breed to make money. They probably consider themselves lucky if they don't go bankrupt trying to improve their bloodlines. They breed because of a genuine love for their breed and a desire to improve and perpetuate it.

There are strictly-for-profit, puppy-mill, breeders of course, and novice breeders who think they can get rich by breeding the family pet, but we're talking about finding a good breeder here.

concern for puppies

If the breeders main interest seems to be in making a sale rather than the welfare of the puppy, you should probably look elsewhere.

knowledgeable

A good breeder should have a strong working knowledge of his breed. He should be able to explain health issues common to the breed. His breeding program should show that he is trying to prevent these problems in his line.

He should be knowledgeable in the area of puppy testing and be able to help you pick a puppy that will fit you and your lifestyle. Don't be surprised if he refuses to sell you a puppy he feels is wrong for you.

spells everything out

A good breeder will try to make all the details of the purchase as clear as possible. Details of the registration and transfer of ownership, health guarantees, ongoing support, and any other provisos should be explained in detail. Don't be afraid to question anything you're not sure of.

puts it in writing

Finally, what you have "in writing" is what you can count on. A good breeder will make sure everything you have agreed upon is included in the agreement of sale and that you get a signed copy at the time of sale.

What the breeder will expect of you

Expect a good breeder to screen prospective buyers. Most breeders feel responsible for the puppies they produce and dread the thought of even one of them winding up abandoned in a pound or chained to a doghouse in a corner of the back yard.

They may want to meet your whole family before selling you a pup. They may refuse to sell a puppy to anyone they feel does not have the time, commitment, physical facilities, and financial and family stability, to provide a permanent, loving, home for a puppy.

My personal screening includes among other things ...

If children are ill-mannered, ill-disciplined, or are not gentle with the puppies and the parents seem unconcerned by their behavior ... No Sale!
Actually, the above applies to all members of the family.

If anyone in the family seems unenthusiastic about getting a puppy ... No Sale!

If both spouses work and the puppy will be left alone in an apartment all day ... I'll recommend an older puppy or adult that can cope with that situation.

I want the new owners of my puppies to put up a fenced area with proper shelter for the new puppy. People who have an outdoor run hardly ever resort to chaining a dog to the back step, eliminating a common cause of behavior problems. I consider the outdoor run more important than a leash.

If the puppy will be kept outdoors and never allowed in the house ... No Sale!

There are a number of other factors, such as apparent financial and family stability, that may also be a consideration.

Next we'll look at selecting a good puppy from the litter.

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