Choosing the right dog breed for you is not the last stage. After you've decided for sure which dog breed group should your future pet belong to and there are seven common groups: Sporting Dog Breeds, Working Dog Breeds, Toy Dog Breeds, Hound Dog Breeds, Herding Dog Breeds, Terrier Dog Breeds and Non-Sporting Dog Breeds, as well as Hybrid or Mixed Dog Breeds it is time that you start looking for a good dog breeder.
The one to win your trust should meet the following minimum set of requirements:
Dogs must be kept in a well-maintained area, look playful and healthy and not be afraid of strangers, as early socialization is an extremely important precondition for further training of any dog breed. Good breeders don't usually work with more than two dog breeds. If it's about any dog breed that you are offered, chances are pretty high that you've come across a backyard or puppy mill breeder. Such pseudo professionals can rarely offer you medical history of the puppies as well as documents supporting vaccinations and tests of Organizations like the Orthopaedic Foundation for Animals, while examining dogs for genetic diseases before matching them is a must.
Check if the dogs get enough exercise, balanced and premium-quality food, and take part in various shows, conformity trials or obedience and ability contests, etc.
Don't feel embarrassed to ask for the references of previous owners who adopted puppies from this very dog breeder and make sure you call them and inquire about him/her.
An experienced breeder should also be able to provide you with information on puppies' caring and training, and agree to consult you for some time after you've made a purchase.
In addition, be ready that a reputable dog breeder will put some questions to you, too. He or she must be sure that the puppies go to reliable hands and will receive proper care and attention. You may even be asked to sign a contract specifying these requirements. |