| Why Show Dogs? Conformation shows are ways for breeders to compare their dogs to the dogs of other breeders. This encourages responsible breeders to continue to produce the best dog of their breed in regards to structure, health, and temperament. In addition, there are many other venues that challenge PWDs to demonstrate the working nature that they were originally bred to maintain. These include water trials, obedience, rally, agility, fly-ball, and tracking events. A responsible breeder will use these venues to show that their dogs can still do the job they were intended to perform. A responsible breeder will strive to attain titles on their dogs in these events and be very proud of the hard work it takes to achieve them. Look for a breeder that competes with their dogs. Do you have a contract? All reputable breeders will have some type of contract. These will vary from breeder to breeder and you should ask to see a copy of it. They should be willing to provide you a copy without hesitation. It should clearly outline the guarantees for the purchase of the puppy as well as your requirements that all breeders expect of a responsible dog owner. What is Co-Ownership? Many responsible breeders will not sell a puppy to an owner without a spay/neuter requirement. If a new owner may be interested in breeding in the future, the breeder may discuss co-ownership. The breeder will remain a part owner of the dog and will make all the breeding decisions for that puppy. A responsible breeder does this to protect their dogs and the breed. This ensures that a new puppy owner will attain the mentoring they need to become a future breeder. Can I contact you at any time with questions or perhaps to help me solve a problem? Once again the answer should be yes. A good breeder will encourage you to keep in touch and want to help you when you have a question. Any problems with your puppy are important knowledge for the breeder so that they can assist you with your problem and work to prevent future problems in their dogs. Will you take the puppy/dog back if I can no longer keep it? The answer here should be yes. The breeder should be concerned about his/her dogs for their entire life. This should not stop at the time of the sale. Many breeder will also microchip their puppies before they are placed in their new homes and register the breeder's name as an alternate contact in case there is a problem with the puppy as well as to ensure that their dog never ends up in a shelter. Can you help me find a good trainer for obedience/agility/etc? Yes, this should be automatic. A caring and good breeder will want you and your new dog to get a good start and have a long and happy relationship. Obedience training will get you off on the right foot with your new puppy and should be encouraged by the breeder. Do you require obedience training? A good breeder will want you to learn to work with your dog and teach both the dog and your family how to live together and what to expect of each other. Good obedience training will make your dog a pleasure to be around and ultimately insure that he/she has a happy home with a family that understands and loves him/her. What is the price of your puppies? This varies from breeder to breeder. A bargain is just that. There is a good chance that if the price is really cheap, the breeder did not put any money into raising the litter and testing the breeding dogs for inheritable diseases. Beware! A savings of a few hundred dollars could cost you thousands in veterinary expenses in the future. You get what you pay for. Having said that, keep in mind that a high price tag does not always equal high value. If it is advertised as RARE, BEWARE! You need to interview the breeder as much as they need to interview you. Remember to evaluate the health testing performed and the accomplishments of the breeder and his/her dogs. Were the puppies treated for intestinal parasites (de-wormed)? All puppies should be de-wormed regularly starting at about 2 to 3 weeks of age, and at least one more time before they leave. They should also have fecal tests performed to evaluate for intestinal parasites. Studies have shown that over 80% of puppies are born with roundworms. Roundworms and Hookworms can cause problems in people, particularly young children and immunocompromised individuals. It is also important for your puppy's health that they are treated and evaluated for intestinal parasites. Will my puppy be vaccinated and if so, what for? Your puppy should be given their initial vaccination between 6-8 weeks of age. This vaccine used varies a bit from breeder to breeder and from veterinarian to veterinarian. You should contact your veterinarian and ask what they recommend and then discuss this with the breeder. Be sure you feel comfortable with your breeder’s response. Beware of breeders that require you to do certain things that are not recommended by your veterinarian, such as feeding a raw diet or not vaccinating your puppy. The choices that you make for your puppy should be ones that you feel comfortable with and your breeder should be there as a resource, but not force you to do things that you are uncomfortable with. American Animal Hospital Association Canine Vaccine Guidelines American College of Veterinary Nutrition Information Links Do you as the breeder have any questions for me as the buyer? This is just a guide to help you find a considerate and responsible breeder to buy your new family member from. Please use this to help you weed through the many breeders you should speak to. Find a breeder that will take the time to talk to you and the one that makes you feel comfortable. Many backyard breeders/high volume breeders will be abrupt and find your questions to be annoying. If that happens, find another breeder. If they are not interested in your concerns now, they surely won’t be in the future and they are probably trying to hide something from you. While this can seem overwhelming and be very time consuming, please remember that this is going to be the newest edition to your family. Would you buy a car, sight unseen, over the Internet? Then why not put the same, if not more time into the family pet that will sleep on your child's bed? Please do not fall into the trap of instant gratification. Please realize that it takes time to find a reputable breeder and you may have to put your name on a waiting list for a puppy. When you find the right match with a reputable breeder and the perfect dog, it is well worth the wait! Good luck with your search and the new addition to your family! Click here for Querida's Puppy Page |