So you’ve decided to get a dog. You’re prepared to feed, exercise, train, clean up after, work through problems with, and love a dog every day for the next 10 to 20 years.
You’ve evaluated your lifestyle and know exactly what sort of dog you’re looking for (e.g.,
a high energy dog to go running with you or a more sedate dog to lounge on the couch
with you), and you know that you need to seek desired characteristics in individual dogs,
not just a breed, because breed is no guarantee of temperament or likes and dislikes.
Because you know that about one in every four dogs in U.S. animal shelters is purebred, you
start there, because you want to do a great thing and help a homeless dog. You know that most
dogs lose their homes because of “people reasons” like cost, lack of time, lifestyle changes (new baby, divorce, moving, or marriage), or allergies, and not because of something the dog has done. You’ve checked out the purebred rescue group for your desired breed, but still haven’t found “The One.” And you know better than to buy a puppy from a pet store because most of those puppies come from mass breeding facilities better known as puppy mills.
So you’ve decided to buy a dog from a breeder---but you
don’t want to support someone who doesn’t have the dogs’ best interests in mind.
How do you identify a reputable breeder? First, know that good breeders don’t breed to make money—they don’t sell their puppies to the
first person who shows up with cash in hand. Too often, unsuspecting people buy
puppies from “backyard breeders” (or neighbors) who breed their dogs to make a little
money or simply because they have dogs “with papers.” Too often, the result of such practices
includes puppies with poor health or temperament problems that may not be discovered until
years later. Unfortunately, these new pet families often end up heartbroken, with dogs who have genetic health problems or who develop significant behavior problems due to a lack of early socialization. In some cases, these problems can cost thousands of dollars to treat.
So to avoid these pitfalls and choose a good breeder, look for one who at a minimum:
Keeps dogs in the home as part of the family---not outside in kennel runs
Has dogs who appear happy and healthy, are excited to meet new people, and don’t shy away from visitors.
Shows you where the dogs spend most of their time--- in a clean, well maintained area
Encourages you to spend time with the puppy’s parents at a minimum, the pup’s mother-when you visit.
Only breeds one or two types of dogs and is knowledgeable about what are called “breed standards” (the desired characteristics of the breed, such as size, proportion, coat, color, and temperament.
Has a strong relationship with a local veterinarian and shows you records of veterinary visits for the puppies and explains the puppies’ medical history and what vaccinations your new puppy will need.
Explains in detail the potential genetic problems inherent in the breed (every breed has specific genetic predispositions) and provides documentation---through organizations such as the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA)---that the puppy’s parents and grandparents
have been tested to ensure that they are free of these genetic problems
Offers guidance for caring for and training your puppy and is available for assistance after you take your puppy home
Provides references from other families who have purchased puppies
Feeds high quality “premium” brand pet food
Doesn’t always have puppies available but rather will keep a list of interested people for the next available litter
Is actively involved with local, state, and national clubs that
specialize in the specific breed; good breeders may also compete the dogs in conformation trials (which judge how closely dogs match their “breed standard”), obedience trials
(which judge how well dogs perform specific sets of tasks on command), or tracking and agility trials
Encourages multiple visits and wants your entire family to meet the puppy
Provides you with a written contract and health guarantee and allows plenty of time for you to read it thoroughly;the breeder should not require that you use a specific veterinarian
In addition to those criteria, you’ll want a breeder who requires some things of you, too. The breeder should require you to:
Explain why you want a dog
Explain who in your family will be responsible for the pup’s daily care, who will attend training classes, where the dog will spend most of his or her time, and what “rules” have been decided upon for the puppy---for example, whether or not the dog will be allowed on furniture➤
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Provide a veterinary reference
Provide proof from your landlord or condominium board (if you rent or live in a condominium complex) that you are allowed to have a dog
Sign a contract that you will spay or neuter the dog unless you will be actively involved in showing him or her (which applies to show-quality dogs only)
Sign a contract stating that you will return the dog to the breeder should you be unable to keep the dog at any point in the dog’s life
If the breeder you’re working with doesn’t meet all of
these minimum criteria, The Humane Society of the
United States advises you to walk away. Remember,
your dog will likely live 10 to 20 years, so it’s well worth
investing some time now to be sure you’re working with
a reputable breeder who breeds healthy, happy dogs.
You can find reputable breeders by asking for referrals
from your veterinarian or from trusted friends, contacting
local breed clubs, or visiting dog shows. Remember,
a reputable breeder will never sell dogs through a pet
store or in any other way that doesn’t allow interaction
with buyers to ensure that the puppies are a good
match for the families and that the buyers will provide
responsible lifelong homes.
Please don’t ever buy a dog without personally visiting
where he or she was born and raised. Take the time
now to find the right breeder and you’ll be thanking
yourself for the rest of your dog’s life.
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➤Promoting the Protection
of All Animals
©2003 The HSUS. All rights reserved.
Printed on recycled paper.
For more information
about responsible
pet care, contact
The Humane Society of
the United States,
2100 L Street, NW,
Washington, DC 20037.
202-452-1100
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