
Richard Livitski asked:
Finding good and reputable dog breeders is absolutely necessary when you are in the market for a new purebred pooch.
Unfortunately, new and excited potential dog owners simply do not take time to learn information about dog breeders and end up purchasing a puppy from a backyard breeder or one of many puppy mills. Although this is not always the case, there are a handful of breeders that do not care about the standards for the American Kennel Club or with the health of the dog, but are instead more interested in making money.
What can come from this is a puppy that grows into an adult dog having health problems or, even worse, behavioral issues. This type of unethical breeding is becoming extremely common in small dog breeders, because of the growing popularity of small dogs like the Yorkshire Terrier, or yorkie, and teacup dogs like the Chihuahua.
To avoid the pitfalls of a bad breeder, it is best to try and remain as level headed as possible about the purchase of your new pooch and follow your instincts about the breeder. Keep in mind some of the following tips when searching for a reputable dog breeder:
Offers to Let you Visit…
You may want to reconsider your possible pet purchase, if the breeder will not let you visit the facility where they breed the dogs. The same goes for a visitation that shows an unclean, unhealthy environment, as this may mean health or temperament problems right from the start.
If a breeder isn’t willing to let you come and spend time with the dogs to help get acquainted with your new puppy, this might signal a problem as well. A breeder that cares about their dogs will want you to get to know the breed before sending them to a new home. A visitation helps give you an idea of exactly how the dog has been socialized and how they will need to continue being socialized in the future. You may want to avoid dog breeders that have not made an effort to include the puppies and the dog in their daily routine. Dogs that have been kept in kennels may have a more difficult time with socializing.
Look For A Select Breeder…
Most reputable breeders will not have an abundance of puppies running around, but will most likely have a waiting list for the next litter. Since the breeder is not worried about financial gain, but the health of the pregnant dog and the litter of puppies instead, they most likely will not be encouraging the mother dog to become impregnated at a fast rate.
As well, most good breeds will focus on only one, or maybe two, dog breeds at a time. This is usually their absolute favorite breed that they are extremely knowledgeable about. It is common to find that many breeders will also be trainers or will have a few of their own dogs of that particular breed that they show in competitions.
Requires a Contract…
Working with a trustworthy dog breeder means being asked to sign a written contract that is used to guarantee the health of the dog. It is also used as a promissory note on your end to ensure that you plan on taking care of the dog. This will include promising to have the dog regularly vaccinated, as well as spayed or neutered, unless you plan on showing the dog. This contract means that if major health problems become an issue, you will receive a refund on the dog. It also shows the concern of the breeder, who wants to make sure the dog is in good hands once they leave the property.
Keeps Dog Records…
While it is not completely necessary that you find a dog breeder who keeps perfect records of the history of your puppy, most dog breeders will have at least some type of history of the puppy to help you understand their future health and behavior.
A good dog breeder will already have the dog registered and should absolutely have records of the puppy’s vaccination history. Because new puppies don’t typically go home with owners until they are 10-12 weeks old, they should have received 1-2 sets of shots as well as had worms removed and been placed on preventative medicine.
Helps You Learn…
Before leaving with your new dog, a good dog breeder will spend time helping you become familiar with the breed of the dog, as well as with your own particular puppy. It is important to look for a breeder that is willing to help you get on your feet with your new dog. It is best to look for dog breeders that will offer regarding the temperament and health of the dog, but might also include tips for caring for the dog, especially if this is your first pet.
In closing, please keep in mind that the tips offered above will not guarantee that the dog breeder you finally choose will be a good one. These tips should be viewed only as a general guideline and do not apply to every dog breeder.
About the Author:
When Richard Livitski isn’t busy digging up information about dog breeders, he’s working on his dog names website http://www.dog-names-and-more.com where dog names as well as dog grooming and training tips can be found.

Chuck Masterson asked:
Most dog breeders are reputable people who truly care about the health and welfare of the dogs they breed. There are several things that you should look for when buying a puppy from a dog breeder. When you are purchasing a puppy from a dog breeder do not be afraid to ask to see where the dog breeder lives. A puppy is a companion that will be with you for several years. To ensure your puppy’s health you want to see the type of conditions that the puppy was born in. When you visit the dog breeders home you want to make sure that the kennel is clean and smells good.
Some puppy mills will disguise themselves as dog breeders. In order to find the right breeder you may want to ask veterinarians, boarding kennels, groomers and other pet owners in your local area who reputable dog breeders are. Another suggestion is to go to the local kennel club and ask there if they know of any local dog breeders.
When you are purchasing a puppy from a dog breeder make sure that you see the whole litter of puppies and at least one of the parents. You want to make sure that the other dogs do not have runny eyes or noses. The dogs should look healthy and well fed. A dog breeder should be knowledgeable about the type of dog you are buying. A reputable dog breeder will also ask you questions about you, your family and your lifestyle. Some dog breeders will ask you to sign a contract that specifies that it is your responsibility to take good care of the dog.
When you are buying a puppy make sure that the puppy is at least eight to twelve weeks old. There are so many kind-hearted dog breeders that care about finding each puppy a good home for life. Do not be surprised if your dog breeder makes a follow up call to see how the new dog is doing.

Moses Wright asked:
When deciding on a puppy, you must first consider if you desire to have a purebred or a mixed breed. If a pedigree is what you want, a reputable breeder will offer you the best bet for pups with a recognized heritage and certificates to authenticate their parental lineage.
Finding the right breeder depends on the breed that you select. Professional breeders do not breed their dogs frequently. Breeders will only do so when a pair of dogs is found to be healthy and have temperaments that will insure the birth of similarly healthy offspring. Breeders will also breed their dogs only when a sufficient number of homes have been evaluated and deemed appropriate for the new puppies.
As there are no hard and fast rules on how a standard breeder should behave and operate their business, you should seek advices and talk to as many breeders as you possibly can to make a better informed decision. There are different types of dog breeders out there. Learning more about the breeders will enable you to understand the consequences of your choice.
A good breeder will have the dogs checked for diseases and have all relevant information regarding the pair’s lineage and health documentation. Should a breeder find no problem in the history of the pair, you must still confirm the details to be sure. One way is to ask for the contacts of owners who have bought offspring in the past to check if there were any problems. This should not be difficult as responsible breeders always maintain a close relationship with their customers.
Reputable breeders have certain requirements that you must have before qualifying as a potential dog owner. These usually come as written contracts with a neuter requirement as a clause. This limits the registration of the puppies for breeding. This is to ensure the breeder is protected and to control the dog population.
The person who wants his dogs must have a secured backyard and be prepared to attend certain classes such a puppy kindergarten. This is for you to be familiar with the challenges you will face when you bring the puppy home. This is very important especially for new dog owners.
Reputable breeders tend to enforce more stringent selling policies than that of your local pet shop. They are always anxious and do everything within their power to ensure that their puppies have good homes. Breeders who have integrity are different from those who are not. This additional requirements are meant to be obstacles to the ownership of the dog, but to ascertain that owners are fully aware of the responsibilities involved. As expected, such irresponsible breeders would not care less about the well-being of the dogs as they are merely concerned about the bottom line.
One of the most critical factors in identifying a good breeder aside from the health and food given to the pets is to check on the condition of the mother after birth and the way the puppies are being taken care of. A good way would be to pay a visit to the breeder occasionally to check on the puppies’ condition.
Another advantage of buying from a reputable breeder is that you will be able to get help from them without any extra cost. Should the placement of the puppy be less than satisfactory with the new owner, the breeder will ask that the owner return the puppy and the breeder will source for suitable homes for the pup, as the puppy’s life is of utmost concern to the breeder.