| Do you sell your puppies over the internet or via a puppy broker? If the breeder does NOT require an in person meeting, FIND ANOTHER BREEDER!!!!! It is just as important for the puppy buyer to meet the breeder and the dogs in person as it is for the breeder to meet the new potential owners. This is going to be the new addition to your family that you will trust to sleep on your child's bed, do NOT buy your PWD sight unseen!!! How many litters of puppies do you have each year? A responsible breeder will not have many litters. A breeder looking to make money will have many litters, which should make you question whether or not you want to buy a puppy from a high volume breeder looking to make a profit from their dogs. How do you ensure that your breeding dogs are healthy? A responsible breeder will check the health of their dogs regularly, via regular visits to the veterinarian. In addition, the tests listed below will be performed and certification of such tests should be available to you. 1. Evaluation for Hip Dysplasia - via O.F.A. certification ( OFA website ) and/or PennHip certification 2. Evaluation for inherited eye problems - via yearly eye exams from an ophthamologist for C.E.R.F. certification ( CERF website ) 3. Evaluation for genetic diseases via genetic testing: CHIC PWD HEALTH PAGE a) GM-1 testing and certification that at least one parent does not carry the gene for gangliosidosis. b) OPTIGEN prcd-PRA testing and certification that at least one parent does not carry the gene for progressive retinal atrophy. c) JDCM testing and certification that at least one parent does not carry the gene for juvenile dilated cardiomyopathy. * The three genetic diseases mentioned above a recessive disorders, so it takes 2 copies of the defective gene for a puppy to shows signs of the disease. So, a dog that is a carrier and only has 1 copy of the gene is a perfectly healthy dog. Making sure that at least one parent is tested normal prevents the puppies from being affected with the disease. It is O.K. if one parent is a carrier as long as the other parent is tested as a normal or noncarrier. Potential puppy buyers should request to see these test results. They can also look up these results at the following sites: PWD CHIC HEALTH PAGE PWDCA website If the breeder cannot produce a record, or tells you that his/her dogs have seen the vet and are healthy - and/or they have never had problems – walk away. It is also important to discuss other health concerns with breeders. Find a breeder who will tell you both the good and bad in their dogs as you will find someone who will be truthful and not just tell you what you want to hear just so your will buy a puppy. Some of these health concerns may or may not have current screening tests available. These may include, but are not limited to, cancer, allergies, immune-mediated disorders, Addison's disease, hair-loss (follicular dysplasia), sebaceous adenititis, hypothyroidism, seizures, etc. For further information regarding the health concerns that affect Portuguese Water Dogs, please follow the link to the Portuguese Water Dog Club of America's health information page: PWDCA Health Information Page What are the temperaments of the sire and dam? A good breeder will welcome the opportunity to talk about their dogs and discuss their temperaments with you truthfully. If all you hear is that the dogs are wonderful and have no faults, you need to consider what they may be hiding. Again, find a breeder who will tell you both the good and bad in their dogs as you will find someone who will be truthful and not just tell you what you want to hear just so your will buy a puppy. How many females of breeding age do you have on the premises? If a breeder has many females that are bred regularly, then once again it is a money making enterprise and you should not buy a puppy. How many times will you breed each female in her lifetime? How many times a female is bred varies. If she is continually bred every time she cycles for her entire breeding life, then the breeder is trying to produce as many puppies as possible from her and a red flag should go up that this most likely is a breeder making quantity not necessarily quality. Find another breeder. How many male dogs of breeding age do you have? Many hobby breeders co-own with people and so the dogs may not live on the premise. This allows for those dogs to get more one on one attention. Beware if there are a large number of intact (breed-able) males on the premises as this may be a sign of a high volume breeder looking to make money from their dogs. At what age do you let your puppies go to their new homes? The best age to send a puppy to their new home is between 8 and 10 weeks. Be wary of the breeder who is letting you take your puppy earlier than 8 weeks and keep in mind that selling puppies younger than 8 weeks of age is illegal in some states. They are not ready to leave their mother and litter-mates. They need the interaction with their litter-mates to equip them with the tools they’ll need later in life. They learn how to play, assert themselves, be humbled and become confident and secure. All qualities that you want in a new member of your family. Once they leave, they need to continue this socialization with their new families and many good breeders will encourage owners to enroll in puppy kindergarden classes or other early socialization classes. Can I pick my own puppy from the litter? A good breeder will match the puppy to the new family's lifestyle and personality. A mismatch could cost the puppy his or her life, and not be pleasant for the family. A buyer only sees the puppies for a short time. An experienced breeder can help a buyer find the puppy that will fit best into the family since they have spent the most time interacting with the litter. Ideally you want a breeder that will not let you pick your own puppy, but rather direct you to the best match suitable to your own personality and lifestyle. Where are your puppies raised? Be wary of the puppies that are raised in outdoor cages or small confined areas with little or no human contact. They will not be socialized or used to handling. If you see this, FIND ANOTHER BREEDER! A responsible breeder will raise puppies in room in their home where puppies can receive lots of daily interaction and attention in a safe, clean enclosure. How do you socialize your puppies before they leave your premises? A good question and something that must be done. Be aware of the breeder who tells you that they are well- socialized and then can’t give you specifics. They need human interaction and constant handling. Can I visit the sire and dam, if both are on the premises, before the litter is born? A responsible breeder will welcome your visit and actually require you and your family to visit before they will agree to sell you a puppy. Often, the sire may not live on the premises and may live across the country or even in another country. In these cases, the breeder should be able to show health certifications, pictures, and pedigrees of the sire. You should certainly be able to visit the other dogs that are in the breeder's home such as the expecting mother and any of her relatives. Can I visit the facility that the puppies will be raised in? Once again there should be no hesitation. At what age can I visit my puppy for the first time and can I bring my children? You should be encouraged to visit with your children. Many new moms may take several days to settle into their job of raising their new litter. Some breeders will prefer to wait until mom settles in before having a lot of visitors. However, once mom is comfortable, visitors also help the breeder to socialize the puppies. Do NOT purchase a puppy or leave a deposit on a puppy when you have never visited that breeder's home or met his/her dogs. Am I required to spay/neuter? This should be a requirement. Spaying or neutering will make your dog a better pet and keep him/her healthier, reduce the risk of reproductive cancers, and help to prevent behaviors associated with sexual maturity such as inter-dog aggression and urine marking. All responsible breeders will require all owners that are not planning on breeding to spay/neuter their dogs. It is part of being a responsible dog owner. Continued on Next Page |