Clubs Offering:
For the uninitiated, expertise imparts a shroud of mystery: If you have no idea what a carburetor is, or think a meniscus is a sport they play at the Olympics, how in the world do you pick the best car mechanic or orthopedic surgeon?
Dog breeders present an even more vexing conundrum: There’s no perfect directory to help you find a responsible, reputable breeder. Instead, you’re going to have to do some research, leavened with a dollop of good, old-fashioned gut instinct.
Here are some considerations to guide you in your search.
How do I find the right breeder?
You can find a good breeder by talking to people in the know. For example:
Once you locate a potential breeder, get to know them, but remember that they want to get to know you, too! Good breeders want lifelong, loving homes for their pups, so they will have a few questions for you. And you want a healthy, happy pup, so you will have questions for them, as well. Enjoy a lively, informative conversation with your breeder.
Not All Breeders Are Created Equal: Good vs Bad Breeders
Not all breeders are created equal. If you think choosing a purebred puppy from any old breeder will result your dream dog, you’ll be sorely disappointed.
Unfortunately there are many lousy breeder out there. They aren’t all bad, but it’s safe to say (sadly) that there are more bad breeders than good ones.
Just google “labrador puppy for sale in (your city)” and you’re sure to find pages upon pages of puppies. Many will come from backyard breeders who thought having puppies would be fun or be a good way to make money. Others come from accidental litters. Others come from puppy mills. You’ll even get advertisements for mail delivered puppies. Avoid them at all costs.
A good, reputable breeder won’t just provide you with the perfect pup. They’ll provide numerous other benefits as well:
Things you SHOULD NOT do as a dog breeder
Good breeders, on the other hand, will provide you with a pup that’s healthy, well-adjusted, and sure to bring you years of happy companionship.
Today we’re talking about what you need to know before selecting a breeder, and how to make sure you’re working with responsible breeders that know their stuff.
Before we get started, full disclosure: I work at a shelter and rescued my first dog. I’m all for adopting shelter dogs – in most cases.
However, my next dog is coming from a breeder because I want to compete in Search and Rescue with a dog that is set up for success in every way (in many cases that means a dog with the breed background that will give them an advantage in this area). There’s no shame in wanting a well-bred, well raised purebred puppy!
There are many reasons why selecting a trusted breeder is important. For one, it’s the best and easiest way to end up with a healthy purebred pup.
That isn’t to say that a breeder is the only way to get a purebreed – you can find purebred dogs at shelters as well, you just may need to be patient.
Still, when you have a specific set of criteria you’re looking for in a purebred dog, going with a breeder is often the fastest and easiest route.
Placing a value on good breeders is also how you can support responsible breeding and avoid funding the cruel puppy mill industry. Good breeders are not the reason that unwanted dogs are euthanized in shelters across the country – so don’t feel bad about giving them your money.
As we noted above, it’s absolutely possible to adopt a purebred, protection K9, service dog, or Treibball star out of a shelter.
Some police forces are even starting to rescue and train pit bulls to avoid spending thousands on expensive shepherds for police work.
If you’re new to dog ownership, have very specific goals for your dog, and can’t afford to hire a private trainer, it might be easier to buy a well-bred puppy than to try to work with an adult shelter dog.
“Might” being the key word there. Don’t forget that puppies are a ton of work with many sleepless nights and days devoted to managing a furry baby demon! For many new dog owners, adopting an adult dog may prove much easier.
Going through a reputable breeder who is known for producing the sort of dog that you need is your best bet for getting a dog that will suit your needs the first time around.