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TRAITS OF A REPUTABLE BREEDER

(Things to look for)


• Dedication to producing quality dogs is serious avocation. Has so much invested in dogs that he struggles to break even, not make a profit. Will sell pups only to approved buyers.

• Can explain how planned breedings are used to emphasize or minimize specific qualities through linebreeding, outcrossing, or more rarely, inbreeding.

• Does not breed dogs younger than age 2. Has breeding stock x-rayed to check for hip dysplasia, echo/doppler run for SAS, holtered within the last year for boxer cardiomyopathy (also known as ARVC) and thyroid screened. Can produce certification to prove claims.

• Written contractual commitment to replace a dog with genetic faults or to help owner deal with problem.

• Loves the breed and can talk at length about its background, uses, and ideal type.

• Has an investment in dog equipment and the puppies environment is sanitary and loving.

• Belongs to national, regional, and/or local dog clubs, indicating a love for the sport of purebred dogs. Shows their dogs as an objective test of how his stock measures up.

• Shows litter and dam in a sanitary environment. Helps buyer evaluate and choose a pup. Explains criteria for "show prospects" versus "pet picks".

• Prices will be at the high end of local range. Price will not reflect all that is invested in the pups. A reputable breeder never profits from the sale of puppies. Does not advertise in the newspaper. Has an established waiting list for the pups.

• After purchase, will help you with grooming or training problems. Will take back a pup you cannot keep rather than see it disposed of inappropriately. Sells pets with spay/neuter agreement and on AKC limited registration.

• "Into" Dogs (shows, training, clubs, etc.)

•Belongs to dog clubs and organizations

• Proves quality of dogs and suitability for breeding by competing for titles and certificates in conformation, obedience, agility, field trialing, Schutzhund, herding, tracking, earthdog trials, etc.

• Pups' pedigrees are filled with dogs who have obtained show titles/working certificates; never breeds dogs without "papers"

• Supports rescue groups; knows his actions inevitably play some part in pet overpopulation and euthanasia (one of every four dogs in shelters is purebred). Even with all his efforts to stem over- population, he knows "cracks" will lead to canine deaths

• Knowledgeable in every facet of breed, including that of health issues/defects; researches genetics when choosing mates

• Knowledgeable about house breaking, training, socializing, breeding, health; constantly reads dog-related materials

• Can and will help and educate puppy buyers re these issues

• Willing to give you his references

• Knows his puppies' ancestry

• Follows up on puppies' well-being; collects health information affecting his dogs

• Breeds to improve his dogs, his bloodlines and the breed

• Rarely breeds as he does not use dog breeding as a business and strives for quality, not quantity

• Rarely repeats a breeding

• Breeds only dogs which meet breed standard

• Breeds only dogs with stable temperaments

• Breeds only dogs over 2 years old, and a limited number of times

• Mate choice could be anywhere in the country (almost never breeds his own males to his own females)

• Does all genetic testing and will provide proof; does not breed animals with genetic defects or which are carriers of defects

• Puppies are sold from waiting list created before breeding even takes place

• Pet-quality pups generally cost $500-600+ (show-quality costs more)

• Puppies are sold with health guarantees

• Puppies are sold with contracts

• Requires pups back if new homes don't work out

• Dogs on property are friendly, socialized, trained

• Does not own more dogs than he has room, time or money for; Dogs are groomed, exercised, healthy, happy

• Will show you pups' parents if available, or if not, will have pictures

• Raises puppies indoors

• Stays home to care for puppies

• Feeds only premium dog food

• Visitors remove shoes and wash hands to prevent spread of parvovirus

• Keeps pups with mom and litter a minimum of 49 days to ensure sibling socialization and important lessons from pups' mother

• Socializes pups by systematically handling them and exposing them to various noises, children and other animals before sending them to new homes

• Tests pups to match their temperaments and drives with buyers' personalities and lifestyles

• Can honestly evaluate pups' quality

• Never sells to "impulse" buyers

• Never sells two pups at the same time to a novice

• Interviews prospective buyers, checks home and references, refuses to sell to substandard homes

• Wants to meet whole family; won't sell if children are abusive

• Sells only to buyers with disposable income (AKC reports it costs $1327 per year to properly care for a dog)

• Waits for buyers who offer lifelong homes (Knows that only 30 percent of all dogs stay in one home throughout their lives)

• Understands dogs are "pack" animals; sells pets only to buyers wanting to make pup an indoor dog and part of the family

• Sells only to buyers who make pup's safety a priority

• Encourages or requires buyers to spay/neuter pet-quality pups

• Encourages buyers to train pups; refers to good trainer

• Makes sure buyers understand pup's considerable need for time, attention, exercise and training

Responsible Breeders Improve the Breed