My recent purchase of a purebred dog led me to consider what to look for in purebred dog breeders. Your search should include the same steps.
I first researched the breed before I talked to breeders.
I used the AKC and local breed clubs as resources. I knew the health and temperament standards of my breed before I looked for purebred dog breeders.
Once I knew what I was shopping for, I contacted sellers (breeders). The rest of my search was to look for a reputable business. What to look for in purebred dog breeders is all about what to look for in a reputable business.
I checked out the business as a business.
Purebred dog breeders without business licenses are not professionals, they are back yard breeders. My breeder was licensed and listed with the BBB or other major associations. Trade organizations will often tell you how purebred dog breeders handle customer complaints.
I asked for references and checked them. When considering what to look for in purebred dog breeders, think of what they are selling – dogs. Contact other customers who have purchased their products. Purebred dog breeders that will not give references are hiding something.
I thought carefully about what to look for in purebred dog breeders.
Not willing to travel, I considered only local purebred dog breeders. I will not buy a dog that I cannot see. Pictures are not a good substitute. I want to see the puppies, the mother and where the litter was born. A purebred dog breeder that does not have the mother or is not willing to show you the whole litter is hiding something.
What to look for in purebred dog breeders means understanding a bad breeder is counting on you falling in love with the dog and not wanting to return it even if you were ripped off. I heard very creative stories about why they only had one puppy and no mother to show. I did not do business with them.
Do not have a puppy shipped to you.
This is my number one rule about what to look for in purebred dog breeders. Fewer and fewer airlines are shipping live animals as cargo. The reason is because they die. To me it is unconscionable to subject an 8 week old puppy to 24 (or more) hours of confinement in a crate during a terrifying shipping process.
I found purebred dog breeders that offered a health guarantee and asked that the dog be returned if I ever could not give her a home. And, it was all in writing.
What to look for in purebred dog breeders takes a lot of thought.
Choose purebred dog breeders that are as concerned about you being a good dog owner as you are about them being good purebred dog breeders. I know what to look for in purebred dog breeders. Do you?
