Ask the Right Questions
Since the breeder knows your potential pup and its parents better than you ever will, he or she should be able to answer your questions easily and without hesitation. You can never ask too many questions.
Breeders want their dogs to go to good homes and will welcome any and all inquiries. Take note of how the breeder responds: Are they patient and do they have the answers to the majority of your questions off hand? If not, have they promised to look up the answer and get back to you?
Here are a few sample questions to ask:
- • What is your breeding history and experience with the breed?
- • How do you socialize the puppies?
- • Have you turned down a sale before? (The answer should be yes, which indicates that they don't allow their puppies to go home to just anyone.)
- • Are the puppies up-to-date with their vaccinations?
- • Are the dogs members a breeding club?
- • Do you provide a health guarantee and contract?
- • When will I be able to take the puppy home?
- • What genetic testing has been done? • What requirements do you seek in those looking to buy a puppy?
- • Are you as breeders involved with any local agility, tracking, performance, or obedience clubs?
- • Do you sell your dogs to pet stores, online, or to brokers? (The answer should be no.)
Prepare for Questions from the Breeder
A quality breeder will actively seek out the right home for their puppies and won't sell them to people on the spot. Many will take reservations for future litters once they have evaluated that you are a good fit.
Be prepared to answer a few questions and provide documentation in certain cases. Breeders may ask or require:
- • Why you want a dog and why this specific breed.
- • They will ask about your experience with dogs and with the breed.
- • If you live in an apartment, rental home, or condo, they may request written confirmation from your landlord as proof that you are able to have a dog.
- • They may ask about the rules you will require of the dog at home and where the dog will spend most of its time.
- • If you have had other pets, they may request a veterinary reference.
- • They may require that you sign a contract indicating that you will spay or neuter your dog, provided you don't plan to breed or show it.
Ask for Referrals
Ask your breeder to provide references of other families who have purchased dogs from them. You can talk candidly with these families to get a better sense of what to expect when you get a dog from this particular breeder.
Breeder pros:
• You will have a better idea of your dog's temperament.
• You can get exactly what you are looking for in terms of appearance, coloration, and breed.
• You have the medical history of the parents.
Breeder cons:
• It can be tough to find the right breeder.
• You may have to wait years before you get your dog.
• Purebred dogs are pricey.
• Breeders can be selective about who their dogs go to (which is a good thing)
