How to Choose a Breeder

How to Choose a Breeder
By Leah Morse

I am a big fan of people that adopt from the shelters and rescues. There are a lot of great dogs just waiting for their forever home. Why did they end up there in the first place? Why didn’t they get the training or direction that they should have to prevent shelter admission? I spent 2 years working at a shelter and saw everything you could imagine! I saw purebred, mixes, adults and puppies. I saw many dogs euthanized including countless purebred puppies and dogs. So why a blog on finding a great breeder? Simple, there are many of us that love our purebreds. Yes there are rescues that should be considered first. However, if a specific dog is in mind and has not been found in a shelter, a breeder is the next step. If all breeders really and truly cared about what they were producing, it would directly affect the number of shelter animals. A breeder’s responsibility goes beyond the health of the dogs they help to produce.

On the low end, countless unscrupulous backyard and puppy mill breeders pump out puppies by the thousands. Pedigree, conformation, temperament and health are secondary to the money they collect. They produce mass quantities of puppies at bargain prices, many of which end up in pet stores designated to be someone’s impulse buy. These puppies, at their bargain prices, become many of the throw away shelter admissions. When the vet or training bills surpass the price of the puppy it is just easier, in some people’s minds to just relinquish the problem puppy to the pound (generally between 6 and 18months which is the most challenging age for most dogs) and go back to the pet shop or bargain breeder for a new one.

What if all breeders had the integrity to do all they could possibly do to keep their puppies in a forever home? This would definitely take more than just putting 2 dogs of the opposite sex together. First off the breeding animals should cared for to be at optimal health, after all they are going to be building healthy puppies. Feeding the best food, for optimal health is key for healthy puppies. Next health testing should be done as there are many hereditary diseases that should be considered. Breeders that go the extra mile to health test for their breeds specific troubling diseases such as hip dysplasia, thyroid disease, cardiomyopathy to name a few. Breeders that follow their specific breed recommendations for health testing, provided by many breed specific clubs, should be considered over those that don’t. Once nutrition is optimal and health testing has been completed, the next step is the choice of dam and sire. They should be true to the breed standard and improve on each other’s faults. Parent dogs should be great examples of their breeds traits, working ability, and conformation.

After the health of the breeding animal has been established and the breeding has taken place, optimum care should be taken of the mother. Once the puppies arrive the work does not stop. Puppies should be handled and socialized and prepared for their stressful departure. More and more breeders are adopting best practices of socialization, training, handling, crate training introduction and puppy nutrition. Introduction to crate training, the rule of sevens (http://www.rmclassiccanine.com/www.RMclassiccanine.com/Rule_of_7s.html )

and basic handling should be consistently practiced to help give the puppies the best confidence levels as possible. It is stressful enough for them to leave the only home they have ever known in their short 8week life to go to a completely unfamiliar new home. Add the stress of having to learn what a crate is on top of missing your siblings and mother. Having been introduced to a crate prior to leaving for their new home greatly reduces the stress they go through. If you are lucky enough to have received the puppy’s crate from the breeder it will lessen the frustration on the part of the new owner listening to the crying puppy and the anxiety of the puppy as a crate will be a familiar object. New owners will be more likely to continue the crate training which will aid in house training.

How much would you pay? Being wise about a puppy purchase goes without saying. However, a bargain puppy will most likely cost you considerably more in its lifetime. Spending more on a puppy that has come from a breeder that practices preventative measures as that which has been mentioned above, will be easier to train with the foundation that the breeder worked for by early handling, socialization and training. Purchasing a puppy that has come from healthy stock also is a wise financial consideration.

Finally, be prepared to be questioned by an ideal breeder. They have put a lot of heart and soul into the production of their puppies. An ideal breeder will have a puppy application and certain requirements of the potential new owner. An ideal breeder will be knowledgeable and preferably only breed one or two types of dogs. They will be able to instruct you on the breeds traits and potential health problems. An ideal breeder will not mind being 20 questioned either. An Ideal Breeder will also make themselves available for questions and support throughout the dog’s life and in the very least offer at least a one year health guarantee. You should be able to visit the puppy and see at least the mother on the property. Obtain referrals from the breeder if possible including the breeders vet if possible. The breeder should be able to easily produce health records, registration papers and pedigrees. Last but not least, be prepared to wait for the right puppy, hasty decisions or impulse buys are more likely to not turn out well.

We would love to hear your comments and concerns about choosing a breeder. You can reach us by email at live@dogdoctoradio.com

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Leah Morse is a certified canine trainer and the owner of Rocky Mountain Classic Canine. Leah also writes weekly for Denver Dog Works. Leah can be reached through our website at http://www.denverdogworks.com