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Finding a responsible breeder is not always easy but definitely worth the time and effort. I always say that finding an ethical, responsible, reputable breeder is like mining for diamonds…hard to find but so worth the effort and time! Don’t know where to start your search? Well, we are going to help you with that. We are revealing the secrets on how to find a responsible dog breeder.
Why is it important to find a responsible breeder?
You are adding a new member to your family. You want that new family member to adjust easily and not have issues. Of course, puppies and dogs in reputable rescues that do not come from responsible breeders also need homes BUT when you know you aren’t getting your puppy from a responsible breeder you are prepared for the possibility of issues. When you get your puppy from a responsible breeder, your puppy will be raised in a caring and loving environment. Your puppy will be crate trained and well on the road to being house trained. Your puppy will easily adjust to life with your family.
Where do I find a responsible breeder?
Like I mentioned before, responsible breeders aren’t always easy to find but they are well worth the search. It’s not like they are hidden away and are top secret, though. You just don’t see responsible breeders constantly advertising their puppies on classified sites or social media groups. Responsible breeders have a wait list without advertising like that. The places you will find responsible breeders will be dog shows and dog events. You will find them listed as members of their national breed club, where they will be listed in the member breeders section. Responsible breeders are breeding to improve the breed, not to just mass produce mediocre pet puppies.
How do I contact a responsible breeder?
Most responsible breeders have a website. On this website you will often see a contact form or a puppy application. Fill out the form or give them a call if there is a phone number. Just remember, though, this is not a full time job for a breeder so if they don’t get back to you immediately, be patient. Besides looking after their dogs, they also have a job and other life commitments. If you do not hear from them after a few days, send them a follow up email to make sure that they received your first message. Often, responsible breeders get a lot of messages and sometimes messages get lost in their inbox.
Finding A Responsible Breeder Means Knowing What To Look For And What To Avoid
How do I know if a breeder is responsible, respectable and ethical?
Here are some things to look for:
- they health test their breeding dogs, they do all recommended health testing for their breed and only breed the best. FYI, hips and elbows are not officially evaluated by the OFA until the dogs are two years old or older.
- they register their puppies and provide a written guarantee and contract with each puppy.
- responsible breeders wait until their dogs are mentally and physically mature before they breed them, the recommended age for most breeds is 2 years old or older.
- they do not bash other breeders.
- responsible breeders are in good standing with the main kennel club of their country and the national breed club for their breed.
- they belong to national breed clubs and work together to promote and protect the breed. Responsible, respectable and ethical breeders want to work with other responsible, respectable and ethical breeders for the betterment of the breed.
- they are happy to answer any questions that you may have about their dogs or the breed in general. If they do not feel that the breed is a good fit for your lifestyle, they will be honest and tell you and explain why.
- they will invite you to meet the parents of the puppies. As a precautionary measure, breeders may want to meet you in a public place first before inviting you in to their home or kennel. You should be able to see where the dogs live and the puppies are raised though. The female should be with the breeder, the male may be from another kennel and in that case you may not be able to meet him.
- responsible breeders will provide lifetime support to you for your puppy. They will want updates and pictures throughout your puppy’s life.
- they have an interview process and require references.
What red flags should I look for?
If you know what to look for, less than ideal breeders are easy to spot! If you see one or more of these red flags, do more research or go elsewhere for your puppy. Here are some red flags to watch for:
- they do not health test their breeding dogs. Some may even try to pass off vet records as health testing. Most health testing has to be sent off to a special lab and is not done at the vet clinic. Hips and elbows are not officially evaluated by the OFA until the dogs are two years old or older.
- they breed their dogs before they are mentally and physically mature, it is recommended for most breeds that dogs be at least two years old before being bred. This also allows for official OFA hips and elbows health testing to be completed.
- they do not register their puppies or they have a price for puppies with registration certificates and a price for puppies without registration certificates.
- they do not register their puppies with the main registry of their country, for example the main registry of Canada is the Canadian Kennel Club and the main registry of the US is the American Kennel Club. There are some rare breeds that might have their own registry but doodles, pomskys, chiweenies and other mixed breed dogs are not rare breeds, they are highly priced mixes.
- less than ideal breeders do not participate in any activities with their dogs besides just breeding them
- they do not belong to a national breed club (some rare breeds may not have a national breed club).
- these breeders always seem to have upcoming litters! Responsible breeders do not mass produce pet puppies. It takes a lot of time and energy to raise a litter properly.
- they are constantly advertising puppies on classified websites such as Craigslist or Kijiji as well as social media groups and pages.
- they use marketing ploys like, “only one spot left on the wait list or only one puppy left”. This is a marketing ploy to get you interested in their puppies without taking the time to really think it through because it makes people feel that if they wait too long that “one spot” on the wait list or that “one puppy” left will be gone. You do NOT see responsible, respectable, ethical breeders doing this type of advertising!
- they bash other breeders. Less than ideal breeders do this to take the spotlight off of themselves. This way people don’t look too closely at what they are doing themselves.
- they are not in good standing with the main kennel club of their country and the national breed club for their breed. You can contact the kennel club and ask if the breeder is a member and if they have ever been banned or disciplined.
- less than ideal breeders do not want to take the time to answer your questions. They just want your money for a deposit as quickly as possible.
- they do not have an application process
- these breeders do not check references, if you have the money, you get the puppy.
- they will try to sell you a dog even if it’s not the right dog or breed to fit your lifestyle.
- these breeders won’t want you to see where the puppies are raised. Or if you do see the area where the puppies are raised, it is dirty and unsanitary.
- they breed many different breeds.
- they breed mixed breeds.
So there you have it, we have revealed the secrets of how to find a responsible breeder. If you have any tips that we haven’t mentioned let us know. We’d love to hear from you!
Related articles: Why Do We Need Responsible Breeders?
8 Tips For Contacting A Responsible Breeder
