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Adopting From A Dog Breeder:Some People Put More Effort Into Buying A Used Car ThanHow They Acquire Their Dog!
Evaluating and choosing a good dog breeder may take many visits to variousbreeders for the right match. Be patient. Dog breeders show their canines,so a good place to meet them is at a local dog show.
You will find good dog breeders and not-so-good ones.
A dog breeder raises, sells and often shows dogs of a specific breed, ormaybe a few breeds. Top breeders raise dogs with good genetic lines,temperament test every puppy, and test each parent to help ensure againstcongenital defects.
The knowledge and skill of a good dog breeder has tremendousbearing on how the puppy turns out.
Unknowledgeable and amateur breeders are the source of most health andtemperament problems affecting purebred dogs. Good breeders breed onlywhen they have a list of buyers to adopt the dogs. Beware of breeders whocreate puppies and then worry about how to dispense them.
Genetic defects.
A dog breeder who tests prospective parents for specific disorders beforebreeding has the breed’s best interests at heart.
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Sire and dam should have a hip clearance from OFA (OrthopedicFoundation for Animals) or PennHip (University of Pennsylvania HipImprovement Program) with documenting certificates.
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Sire and dam should have current eye clearances from CERF (CanineEye Registration Foundation). This must be re-done every year andshould be certified.
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A good dog breeder will screen for hypothyroidism, Von Willebrand’sdisease (disorder affecting ability to clot), epilepsy, and cardiacconditions.When a dog breeder says they are breeding for
temperament
, you are onthe right path in choosing a good breeder. When evaluating a breeder, thisattribute trumps all others. A temperament test is a series of handlingexercises performed at 7 weeks or older, to help assess the personality andeventual adult demeanor.
A good breeder will be eager to answer your questions fully.
You want as much information from the dog breeder as possible, to evaluatethe breeder and the dogs.
 
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Ask for a certificate of vaccination stating what vaccines the puppyreceived, when and by whom. If the puppy was de-wormed, whatdrug was used and when? If not, was a fecal exam done?
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If the dam is bred too often it may indicate that profit is the primarymotive for breeding. The rule of thumb is 5 generations shouldseparate one relative from another.
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Does the breeder provide a 3-5 generation pedigree, a contract tosign, copies of all clearances, and a guarantee?
Will the breedertake the dog back at any time, for any reason, if you cannotkeep it?
This is a test question to know if the breeder is responsibleand cares about his dogs or just in it for the profit. Most will offer “health guarantees” for 2 years. A good guarantee states that if yourpuppy is ill with a genetic illness (e.g. hip or elbow dysplasia,cataracts), the breeder will refund your money or provide anotherpuppy from the next litter, and you keep your puppy as well if youwant.
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The breeder should provide information about feeding, training,housebreaking, grooming, and exercise.
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A responsible breeder insists the puppy has limited registration and amandatory spay/neuter contract.Allow time to interact with the puppy away from distractions. 10-15 minutesshould be allotted to each member of the family.
Things to observe in choosing a good dog breeder:
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Inspect the coat, eyes, ears, dewclaws, tail. No discharge from theeyes or nose? No loose stools? No foul-smelling ears? Coats full andclean without any bald spots? Skin free of red splotches?
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No fleas? No coughing, sneezing, wheezing? Plenty of energy whenawake?
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The litter should appear healthy and well-fed. Consider the cleanlinessof surroundings – look around for feces not removed.
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Puppies should be raised in a home – not a barn or backyard. Puppiesneed exposure to gentle handling, human contact, a variety of noisesand experiences. They should not be removed from the dam or littermates before 7 weeks, which could create a variety of behavioralproblems.
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Can you meet the sire and dam? How do they behave? Will thebreeder provide references of previous buyers?
A gooddog breederwill ASK questions, wanting to know yourfamily’s lifestyle, to ensure the dog adoption is compatible and theprospective guardians are committed to the match.
More information atwww.CalloftheDog.comQuality pet supplies atwww.CalloftheDogShop.com
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