Yes a breeder should keep the pups longer but thats just the start of how to choose a breeder. Heres a list to help you, its not one I've made up but its a place to start.
Some things to find out BEFORE you buy from a breeder:
1) How many litters do they produce in a year?
2) How old are the parents?
3) Have they had health testing done (eyes, heart, thyroid, hips/elbows and any other test pertaining to the breed simple vet exams aren't enough)
4) Can they show you proof of the test results?
5) Is their paperwork in order? (pedigrees, registrations,health tests, exams,medical records,etc)
6) Do they have references you can check out?
7) Are they opposed to you checking with their vet?
Cool Are they knowledgable about the breed(s) they are breeding/selling? (you should be as well so that you will know if it's hype you are hearing or truth)
9) Are their prices in reason with the quality, temperment, bloodlines,health testing done?
10) Have their adults been shown to points/championships or been evaluated by at least 3 unbiased knowledgable people/judges for breed worthiness? (this is just as important for a pet only as it is for a show prospect)
11) Do they have their adults and puppies temperament tested?
12) Do they offer a health guarantee for genetic defects?
13) Do they have a contract? (they should, this is important)
14) do they have a buy back/take back clause in their contract ? (this is important and should say that they will buy back/take back/help rehome any dog/puppy produced by them at any time for any reason)
15) Do they sell on spay/neuter contracts? (again, very important)
16) Do they offer contact info so you can contact them after the sale if you should have questions or concerns?
17) Do they feed good quality food? (again important and says something about the breeder)
Do they send home a puppy kit with food being fed,info about the breed, grooming info, 3-4 generation pedigree (you should get this even if your puppy is a mix between two different purebred breeds), health info on parents (copies of health test results), health info on puppies (first vaccinations and health certificate from the vet), registration info?
19) If purebred are the puppies registered with a legitamate registry? (AKC, UKC, CKC (Canadian Kennel Club) beware of the scam registries such as ckc (continental or canine kennel club), ACKC (American Canine Kennel club), WWKC (World Wide Kennel Club) among others |