Selecting a breeder

[palehorse]

If you have decided to purchase a purebred dog, finding the right breeder can be a difficult task. I have written this article to help you find a responsible breeder as opposed to a backyard breeder or a puppy mill. You may spend more money, but the chances are you will get a healthier dog and a dog that is a good representative of the breed. I recently chose to purchase another GSP (I must need mental help, I swear! LOL) and I used these steps and feel that I have found a wonderful breeder and look forward to my new puppy. Hope these tips help some of you.

1. The best breeders rarely advertise - usually their reputation speaks for itself.

2. Check out breed clubs' wesites. They usually offer referrals to breeders who adhere to the club's Code of Ethics. You can usually find the contact info for a breed's club at the AKC's website, American Kennel Club - akc.org.

3. A bargain is rarely a bargain. If a dog is cheaper than most others of the same breed, there is usually a reason.

4. Consider OFA ratings for each dog in at least a 4 generation pedigree (a 7 generation pedigree would be better). For more information on OFA and ratings, check Orthopedic Foundation for Animals.

5. Check titles - plenty can be told about a dog's temperament by finding out what titles the dog or its relatives have attained.

6. Ask lots of questions. A good breeder will take all the time you need to answer all your questions. The following are some good ones to ask.
-How many litters do you breed a year? If the breeder breeds more than a couple litters a year, they are probably closer to being a puppy mill rather than a responsible breeder.
-Do you breed other breeds? One or two breeds is reasonable, especially if they are in the same AKC Group. It takes years to gain the knowledge of breeding one breed let alone 3 or 4.
-How many years have you been working with this breed? Avoid novices unless the novice is working closely with an experienced breeder.
-What do you do for a living? Reputable breeders are luck to break even and should not rely on puppies as their sole source of income.
-Will this litter be linebred or outcrossed? First of all, a backyard breeder will not know what you are talking about. Linebreeding is the pairing of 2 dogs that have some common ancestors. This is NOT inbreeding. Linebreeding uses proven bloodlines and results in some predictability and uniformity. Outcrossing is the pairing of 2 dogs that have no ancestors in common. This technique is more difficult but can invigorate the gene pool.
-What health screenings have been done? Do research on common health problems with the breed you are considering. IE. thyroid, hip dysplasia (covered earlier in the OFA section), hereditary eye disorders.
-What is your procedure for socializing the litter? Good breeders are more than happy to explain their plan for socializing the puppies in detail.
-Do you screen your buyers? Good breeders want their puppies to go to good, well-suited homes.
-Why are these puppies available? Good breeders usually don't breed a dog until they have buyers lined up in advance. The litter could be larger than expected, a buyer changed plans at the last minute, or the litter was bred for show and some of the pups turned out to not be perfect for conformation.
-May I see the sire and the dam? The dam is the bare minimum on site. The sire could be in another state, which is common. The temperament of the dam will tell a lot.
-What guarantees do you offer? Good breeders will stand behind their dogs, guarantee or not.
-Do you restrict breeding rights? Good breeders most often do.
-Do you have references? If the answer is no, walk away! If the breeder provides a list, contact at least some of the people on the list.
-What are your goals in breeding these dogs? Usually, good breeders breed to improve the breed. If the breeder cannot supply a well-thought answer, be wary.

If you are asked to sign a contract, (most good breeders will have a contract already drawn up) read it carefully. Exceptionally good breeders may include items such as: a guarantee against hip dysplasia; a rebate for every title the owner puts on his or her dog; a clause forbidding the owner to breed the dog if it doesn't have a title by a certain age.

Remember, these are guidelines and tips. They are not the only things you should look for when checking out a breeder. Happy hunting!