So you’ve decided to get a dog. You’re
prepared to feed, exercise, train, clean up after,
work through problems with, and love a dog every
day for the next 10 to 20 years. You’ve evaluated
your lifestyle and know exactly what sort
of dog you’re looking for (e.g., a high energy dog
to go running with you or a more sedate dog to
lounge on the couch with you), and you know
that you need to seek desired characteristics in
individual dogs, not just a breed, because breed
is no guarantee of temperament or likes and
dislikes. Because you know that about one in every
four dogs in U.S. animal shelters is purebred, you
start there, because you want to do a great thing
and help a homeless dog. You know that most
dogs lose their homes because of “people
reasons” like cost, lack of time, lifestyle changes
(new baby, divorce, moving, or marriage), or
allergies, and not because of something the dog
has done. You’ve checked out the breed rescue
group for your desired breed but still haven’t
found “The One.” And you know better than to
buy a puppy from a pet store or over the Internet
because most of those puppies come from mass
breeding facilities better known as puppy mills.
HOW TO FIND A GOOD DOG BREEDER
So you’ve decided to buy a dog from a
breeder—but you don’t want to support someone
who doesn’t have the dogs’ best interests in mind.
How do you identify a compassionate breeder?
First, know that good breeders don’t breed to
make money—they don’t sell their puppies to
the first person who shows up with cash in hand.
Too often, people opt for convenience and quick
purchase and buy a puppy from a pet store or
over the Internet, thinking that they are dealing
with a reputable business. Too often, the result
of such practices includes puppies with poor
health or temperament problems that may not
be discovered until years later. Unfortunately,
these new pet families often end up heartbroken,
with dogs who have genetic health problems or
who develop significant behavior problems due
to a lack of early socialization. In some cases,
these problems can cost thousands of dollars
to treat.
So to avoid these pitfalls and choose a good
breeder, look for one who at a minimum:
Keeps dogs in the home as part of the family—
not outside in kennel runs
Only breeds one or two types of dogs and is knowledgeable
about what are called “breed
standards” (the desired characteristics of the
breed, such as size, proportion, coat, color,
and temperament)
Doesn’t always have puppies available but rather
will keep a list of interested people for the next
available litter
Has dogs who appear happy and healthy
and don’t shy away from visitors
Shows you where the dogs spend their time—
in a clean, well-maintained area
Encourages you to spend time with the puppy’s
parents—at a minimum, the pup’s mother—when
you visit
Has a strong relationship with a local veterinarian
and shows you individual records of veterinary
visits for your puppy
THE HUMANE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES
Explains in detail the potential genetic
problems inherent in the breed (every breed
has specific genetic predispositions) and
provides documentation that the puppy’s
parents and grandparents have been tested
to ensure that they are free of these genetic
problems
Offers guidance for caring for and training
your puppy and is available for assistance
after you take your puppy home
Provides references from other families who
have purchased puppies
Feeds high quality “premium” brand pet food
Is actively involved with local, state, and
national clubs that specialize in the specific
breed; good breeders may also compete the
dogs in conformation trials (which judge how
closely dogs match their “breed standard”),
obedience trials (which judge how well dogs
perform specific sets of tasks on command),
or tracking and agility trials
Encourages multiple visits and wants your
entire family to meet the puppy
Provides you with a written contract and
health guarantee and allows plenty of time
for you to read it thoroughly; the breeder
should not require that you use a specific
veterinarian
In addition to those criteria, you’ll want a
breeder who requires some things of you,
too. The breeder should require you to:
Explain why you want a dog
Explain who in your family will be responsible
for the pup’s daily care, who will attend
training classes, where the dog will spend
most of his or her time, and what “rules”
have been decided upon for the puppy—
for example, whether or not the dog will
be allowed on furniture
Provide proof from your landlord or
condominium board (if you rent or live in
a condominium complex) that you are
allowed to have a dog
Provide a veterinary reference
Sign a contract that you will spay or neuter the
dog unless you will be actively involved in
showing him or her (which applies to showquality
dogs only)
Sign a contract stating that you will return the
dog to the breeder should you be unable to keep
the dog at any point in the dog’s life
If the breeder you’re working with doesn’t
meet all of these minimum criteria, The Humane
Society of the United States advises you to walk
away. Remember, your dog will likely live 10 to 20
years, so it’s well worth investing some time now
to be sure you’re working with a reputable
breeder who breeds healthy, happy dogs.
You can find reputable breeders by asking for
referrals from your veterinarian or breed rescue
group, contacting local breed clubs, or visiting
dog shows. Remember, a reputable breeder will
never sell dogs through a pet store or in any other
way that doesn’t allow interaction with buyers to
ensure that the puppies are a good match for the
families and that the buyers will provide
responsible lifelong homes.
Please don’t ever buy a dog without
personally visiting where he or she was born and
raised. Take the time now to find the right
breeder, and you’ll be thanking yourself for the
rest of your dog’s life.
humanesociety.org/stoppuppymills
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