HOW TO FIND A REPUTABLE BREEDER
FOUR PLACES YOU DO NOT WANT TO BUY A DOG
PUPPY MILLS..We've all heard about these places, animals neglected, filthy, deplorable conditions. Some people go ahead and buy from them because they say they feel sorry for the puppy, but remember.. when someone buys from this kind of place, they are adding to the problem and keeping these people in business!! If they were not making money they would either stop breeding dogs or clean up their act. If everyone who came across these places refused to buy there, it would not be long before they did not exist.
PET STORES..most of these puppys come from puppy mills, trucked in, usually from another state. Most stores do not check out the places they buy from. They have no idea of the conditions these puppies were raised in. I have seen some of the worst specimens at pet stores. No responsible breeder would sell their pups this way. Also the prices are grossly inflated to make up for the high mortality rate.
BACKYARD BREEDERS.. they call themselves "breeders", but about the only thing they know about breeding is to put two dogs of each sex together.They do not breed to produce quality, healthy pups, they breed because the male down the street is handy...Some might say, "but it's cheaper"...trust me you get what you pay for. A good breeder puts alot of time, effort and money in their pups, to assure you will have a happy, healthy pet, and will be there for you if by chance there is an unforseen problem. Yes, a pup from a good breeder will cost more initally,but will save you in the long run. If you want a pet that's socialized, healthy, well bred & guaranteed, go to a reputable breeder.
TRADE DAYS & FLEA MARKETS...here again, you don't know how or where the puppy was raised, can't see the parents & may never see the breeder again, they may even give you false information & you have no way to check later, (what good is a health guarantee if you can't find them?) Sometimes the person selling the dog is not even the breeder, they bought the litter from someone else, so they don't really have much information. Pups are usually very stressed, exposed to all kinds disease, being handled & not fully (if at all) vaccinated. People who sell pups at these places depend on impulse buyers. Everyone should give a lot of thought & planning to adopting a baby.
SO HOW DO YOU FIND A RESPONSIBLE BREEDER???
A REPUTABLE, RESPONSIBLE BREEDER:
1. Is proud of their dogs and their facilities (it doesn't have to be fancy, but it MUST be clean) and will be happy to show you the parents and where the puppies are raised. Beware of anyone who wants to meet you somewhere, brings out one pup at a time from behind closed doors or won't show you the parents, if they act like they have something to hide, ....THEY DO!
2. Guarantees the health of their puppies against genetic defects for refund or replacement, and does not have a problem putting it in writing. Beware of anyone who only guarantees their pups for a few days....(you take it to the vet in 3-5 days,if it dies on the 4-6 day that's your problem.) This is NOT a responsible breeder.
3. Has their dogs best interest at heart, they will tell you if they think a breed is not right for you, not try to high pressure you into buying. They are more concerned about what the pup thinks of you than what you think of the pup.
4. Is knowledgable and encourages questions before AND after purchase, the more you know the better you can care for the puppy. The breeders part should not stop when you walk out the door.
5. Is always trying to improve, their line, their facilities, everything for the dogs that depend on and put their trust in them.
6. A responsible breeder may or may not show their dogs. That makes them no better or worse, no more or less knowledgable, no more or less caring. There are good and bad breeders everywhere. Everyone who shows is not a reputable breeder, just like everyone who chooses not to show is not a bad breeder or puppy mill.
7. Does not mix breeds!! If you find "Yorkie-Poos", "Chi-oodles", or any other mix, this is not a reputable breeder. Why take registered dogs & make mutts? A reputable takes great care to assure the breed stays pure. Animal shelters are full of mixed breed dogs.
Don't be taken in by the term Teacup,this is just a sales gimic, there is NO classification for this term. I have raised toy dogs for over 23 years , I've seen and produced some really tiny dogs, but I have never seen one grown that would fit in a teacup. I have seen some 12-15 pound dogs that were sold as pups as "Teacup". All small dogs are in the Toy classification, some are smaller, they are still toys, I use the term "tiny toy" only to describe that the pup will be smaller than the average toy size. Ask about expected adult weight, size of parents, ( you have to be able to trust your breeder, some small dogs will produce large puppies, some larger will produce tinys) and other pups produced by the same parents. A reputable breeder will know what their dogs produce and will be honest about size. Beware of anyone who quarantees size or show quaily in a puppy. Some people will tell you anything they think you want to hear to sell a dog.
The most important thing you can do is research. a responsible breeder has a good reputation, ask your friends, neighbors, co-workers, people who have had a good experience or bad will talk about it.
