Dog lovers would naturally be excited when they finalize bringing home a puppy. The introduction of this new loyal four-legged companion additionally comes with big responsibilities. One of the most important decisions dog lovers need to make is to select the best place and time to get the puppy, as not all places can offer you a healthy, well-mannered pup. It can only be possible when you select them from a responsible breeder. Here is the catch, not all breeders are created equal.
The presence of puppy mills, unethical practices, and online scams are some issues that can make the puppy-owning experience distasteful. Thus, it is essential to know how to identify a reputable dog breeder. As a responsible dog lover, you need to differentiate between breeders who genuinely care for their dogs from the ones who just look for making brisk money. Read on, as we share the top tips for locating the best in the business.
Renowned breeders would prioritize health
A responsible breeder will ensure regular health screenings, DNA testing, and vet documentation of the puppies. All the breeding dogs and their pups are periodically tested for common hereditary issues that can be common to their breed. Some of the known issues are hip dysplasia, heart problems, and eye infections. Gaining profits after selling a pup is secondary for these breeders. As a client, you can ask for proof of genetic testing, vaccination records, deworming schedules, and vet documents, and they should readily supply you with each of them.
They raise pups in a homely environment, not a cage
Reputable breeders raise puppies in a clean home-based environment. They do not keep them in dark sheds or overpopulated kennels. Ideally, they want to train the pups early in socializing, and exposing them to people, sounds, textures, and routines that will help them in adjusting to their new homes. Some breeders even go the extra mile and make the pups learn to interact appropriately with kids and other pets. Naturally, dogs raised in such homely conditions will bear a gentle temperament and will rarely experience any anxiety or behavioral issues.
Well-informed about the breed
A trustworthy breeder would raise pups out of passion. Thus, they know the ins and outs of the breed they specialize in. When asked, they can convey the following details without any hesitation:
- The personality traits of the breed.
- The energy levels.
- Common health risks.
- The best living conditions for the breed.
These breeders would inquire about the lifestyle of their prospective owners to ensure the breed is a good match for such households.
Reputable breeders will come up with a written contract
Ethical breeders who excel in their field will always offer a written contract guaranteeing the health of their raised pups. The contract would include details on its health, a clause where you can return the pup to the breeder if you think it is not matching well at your home, and many other details.
They will welcome prospective owners to visit their facility
As a thumb rule, you should never buy a puppy from a facility that you haven’t visited personally. As mentioned, a responsible breeder will be more than proud of their setup and would encourage you for a personal visit or at least a video call. Upon visiting the place, you should inspect factors like clean and odor-free living areas, happy and active pups, and calm, friendly adult dogs.
They care where the puppies go
Trustworthy and responsible breeders care for their raised pups and are extremely selective about the places where these puppies are scheduled to go. Therefore, they ask specific questions to the potential buyers like:
- If they have any prior experience of handling dogs.
- The place where they live, for example, an apartment or a house.
- The daily routine.
- Most importantly, if they are ready to take care of the pups/dogs for the rest of their lives.
Here lies the difference between an ordinary and the best breeder. Instead of trying to sell a pup, they will make sure their pups meet a loving and suitable home. They will refuse to sell if the answers from the clients aren’t satisfactory.
They won’t release the puppies too early
Another quality of a reputable breeder, they will never let a puppy leave their facility before they turn 8 weeks old. Some of them may even wait further until the pups reach 10-12 weeks, but this may depend on the breed. This period is crucial because the pup learns from their mother and other littermates, they also start building their social behavior and enhance their emotional stability. If you notice, a breeder is trying to offer you a pup much younger than the age mentioned here, consider it as a red flag and move on.
They have limits to the litters and breeding frequency
As you may have realized by now, reputable breeders are never money-minded. Although raising more pups’ means fetching them more income, they will never overbreed. They understand dogs aren’t mechanical machines designated to produce puppies regularly. Quality breeders will thus limit how often they are bred, they will make sure the female dog gets adequate rest between litters, and retire dogs early to prevent long-term health issues on them.
They will stay in touch even after the sale
A good breeder will never put an end to communicating with their new owners. They continue offering post-adoption support, offer priceless guidance for puppy care and training. They will also readily answer all the queries related to their behavioral aspects.
Their website would be full of positive reviews and references
Finally, it is time when you should check out the breeder’s website to have a more detailed understanding. A trustworthy breeder’s website should be filled with testimonials from happy families, references from vets or trainers, and positive reviews would be there across all their social platforms. Potential dog owners can also check out names from their website speak directly with past puppy buyers and learn their honest experience. It should help you in identifying the best breeder.
Be patient when determining a dog breeder
Considering the points mentioned above, locating the best dog breeder can take some time. However, the wait is worth it. The extra effort you put in searching for a good breeder can later spare you stress, massive bills from regular vet visits, and heartbreaks, if the pup cannot adjust at your home. Remember, at the end of the day, the goal should be to bring home a puppy that is healthy, happy, and has all the ingredients to become a lifelong companion.
