Please be informed and responsible when adopting or purchasing any pet. Temperament is just as important as knowing the specific breed that works best for your family and an experienced breeder will know which pup is the right match for you. Not picking the right breed or the right temperament may lead to behavioral issues that may be quite difficult to correct, unfortunately many of these unsuccessful matched pets end up at our local shelters and rescues.
Bottom line: Quality breeders are proud to show their breeding facilities and their healthy, happy dogs to anyone who shows interest and they are responsible enough to ensure that their pups are going with the most compatible forever homes.
Quality breeders will never sell their animals to pet stores. Breeders who supply their puppies to pet stores will never know the quality of their pups and will irresponsibly continue to breed and allow the cycle of preventable genetic problems to continue. Please keep in mind when you are corresponding with any breeder; if you are unable to see their breeding facilities and the breeding dog(s)/puppies or if they do not have a contract for you to sign then it is best to simply walk away. Until laws are put into place to help protect consumers then it is our duty to take responsibility and make an informed decision when purchasing any pet.
Never buy a puppy unless you can see where the mother and father are cared for. When you visit the establishment make sure the breeder meets all of the minimum criteria listed below. If the kennel does not meet or exceed this criteria then, as hard as
it may be, you must WALK AWAY! IF IN DOUBT . . . LEAVE WITHOUT!
** MINIMUM QUALITY BREEDER CHECKLIST **
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will NOT sell you a puppy without meeting you and/or contacting your referrals | |
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raises their dogs/pups as part of the family and does not keep them locked outside in a kennel or dog run or tied/chained in the yard |
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encourages you to have a look around their establishment and shows you where the dogs are kept/raised |
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encourages you to spend time with the pups and their parents, especially with the mother |
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has dogs that are happy to see/greet people . . . no shying away, trembling or aggressive behaviour | |
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Shows you paperwork (certificates) regarding all vet visits/vaccinations for the puppies and the mother; knows the mother's past and present medical history; examples:
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gives you specific details regarding how old the mother is and how many litters she has had.
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does not allow you to adopt your new puppy before 8-12 weeks old (see example story) . . . depending on breed . . . 8 weeks for large breeds and 12 weeks for small breeds | |
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requires that they are identified with a microchip or tattoo. | |
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explains/outlines any problems specific to the breed of the pup (e.g. hip dysplasia, Progressive Retinal Atrophy, etc.); every breed has specific genetic predispostions |
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informs you of any specific care requirement for the breed - grooming necessities/guildelines for long hair breeds such as the Shih Tzu, Bichon Frise, Maltese etc. |
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offers recommendations and/or information regarding training, socializing, and integrating your new member into your family |
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feeds their dogs/pups a high quality diet; explains the diet the pup(s) have been on and how to integrate it into your home/lifestyle (e.g. if dogs/pups have been raised on a raw diet) |
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maintains the
highest standards of cleanliness, care,
and canine health. |
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ask you questions such as why do you want a dog, do you have the time and basic requirements (fenced backyard) to own a dog, who will be the main caregiver and why did you choose this particular breed |
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is extremely knowledgeable about their particular breed, the temperament of the breed, the basic exercise/grooming requirements etc. |
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does not sell their puppies to pet stores. | |
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has you sign a contract with the following conditions:
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You can find reputable breeders by asking for referrals from your veterinarian or local breed/kennel clubs. A quality breeder NEVER sells their puppies to a pet store. They care where their pups go and will do everything they possibly can to ensure their pup is an excellent match with the buyer, which can include home-checks and asking for referrals from you.
* Sources:
- http://www.hsus.org
- http://www.spca.bc.ca
- http://www.ckc.ca