Buying a healthy, happy, and sociable puppy starts with finding a good breeder. Breeders are experts at what they do, providing families with dogs that fit right in and live long, happy lives as your companion.
Choosing a breeder can be difficult though. Because puppies are relatively expensive, there are plenty of people looking to profit from breeding them. Irresponsible breeders do not have a dog’s best interest in mind and should not be dealt with.
To help you find good breeders and avoid the bad ones then, we’ve put together a guide below.
What is a dog breeder?
Dog breeders are licensed professionals who carefully select male and female dogs to mate and produce healthy puppies. These puppies are then matched with suitable households by the breeder and sold.
Most dog breeders will specialize in a specific breed of dog and have a good understanding of it. This includes everything from health complications, temperament, ideal weight and size, ideal training methods, and more.
Professional dog breeding is a full-time job and requires considerable space and time to care for numerous dogs. Some breeders, then, will have several kennels on their property where they can house and look after the dogs. Smaller breeders, however, will often keep dogs in their own homes.
Reasons to use a dog breeder
A good dog breeder doesn’t just see a dog as a way to make money. Instead, they have a great love for their breed of choice. Most breeders take a lot of pride in what they do and are passionate about raising perfect puppies.
The benefits of picking a dog breeder are:
1. Guidance and support
Dog breeds can differ a lot, and not just in size. While doing your own research on breeds can give you some insight, dog breeders can give you the facts.
This guidance doesn’t stop when you drive off with your puppy either. The vast majority of breeders care about the animals they helped raise and will encourage you to reach out for advice should you need to in the future.
2. Long-term health
Going with a good breeder will also mean your dog will be a good example of its breed. By working with a responsible breeder, you can guarantee that your dog has been bred from healthy parents.
Genetics are the cornerstone of a happy, healthy life for your dog. Breeders will carefully choose parent dogs with strong musculature, a healthy temperament, defined breed characteristics, and intelligence. This produces puppies that will flourish and showcase a breed well.
4. Well-socialized
Puppies from breeders are also well-socialized. This is because they spend their first few weeks as part of a busy pack with plenty of interaction with humans, dogs, and often other animals.
As the first 3 or 4 months are the most important for socialization, dogs from breeders are typically far more sociable and fit well into family units. Some breeders also begin house-training puppies from an early age, making the transition into your household a lot easier.
5. Fully-vaccinated
Puppies from responsible breeders will also be fully vaccinated. This is vital to ensure your puppy does not contract a dangerous disease or illness. Being fully vaccinated also means they are old enough to settle into a new home.
Types of dog breeder
Not all breeders are the same. Dog breeding differs in terms of scale, qualification, and the type of dog being bred.
Commercial breeders
This type of dog breeder will typically house dogs in kennels or cages and have 10+ dogs for breeding purposes.
While this type of breeding operation is legal and licensed, it can sometimes lack the personal touch. Dogs can sometimes appear less well-cared for than those under the care of smaller breeders. In the case of high-volume “puppy farms,” mating can be less selective too with health problems as a result.
That said, there are plenty of commercial breeding operations that meet the breed requirements of organizations like the American Kennel Club (AKC) and the Continental Kennel Club (CKC).
Hobby and show breeders
These types of breeder know their dog breeds inside out and typically show a much higher level of care than commercial breeders.
Hobbyist and show breeders both study the genes and characteristics of their chosen breed. They then use this knowledge to mate dogs successfully.
They will also be up-to-date on the latest research and be actively involved in communities regarding the breed. These breeders will only produce one or two litters a year as it is not considered their full-time job.
Professional breeders
Professional dog breeders resemble hobby and show breeders in the way they look after their dogs but do so in a commercial manner.
They will keep more dogs and produce more litters per year, generating taxable income as a result. This type of breeder is considered ideal as they have the experience of commercial operations but the care of hobbyists.
Puppy farms and backyard breeders vs responsible breeders
It’s important to avoid puppy farms and backyard breeders when buying a dog.
Puppy farms will breed dogs on a mass scale with many litters produced a year. Their dogs are often poorly cared for and the mate selection process is not very stringent. The main motivation of a puppy farm is profit. This results in dogs that can have genetic problems, some of which might not manifest for years after your dog has become a true part of your family.
Backyard breeders should also be avoided. This type of breeding is also motivated by money. People wrongly think mating dogs is something anyone can do, generating an easy source of cash for the owners. As with puppy farms, though, this type of non-selective breeding comes with a heightened risk of genetic problems.
In both cases, you also miss out on the wealth of experience and knowledge that a professional or hobbyist breeder can provide. This includes family screening to make sure a breed is suitable for your household.
Hallmarks of a good dog breeder
Identifying a good breeder is not difficult. Look out for these signs to make sure you’re dealing with the real deal and not someone breeding for the wrong reasons:
Be willing to discuss their dogs with you
Dog breeders that are passionate about their breed will be willing to have in-depth discussions with you about the dogs. They will demonstrate expert knowledge and be able to answer your questions confidently and without hesitation.
This knowledge will include information such as the expected size of the dog, how often they need exercise, typical health concerns, any special dietary requirements, and first-hand experience of their temperament.
Encourage multiple visits
Typically, responsible breeders will also have a waiting list. This is because they do not over-breed and may not have a litter of puppies ready for homing immediately.
This is a good sign and shows that the breeder is not rushing the process simply to make more money. While you wait for a puppy to become ready or to have its vaccinations, a good breeder will encourage you to visit multiple times. This could be to acquaint you with a particular puppy or so you gain a better understanding of the breed.
Provide certification, licence and paperwork
Professional breeders you can trust will also be able to provide relevant licensing and accreditation documents such as the lineage of your dog (if it is pedigree) and Kennel Club Association membership.
You will also be asked to sign a contract upon sale if the breeder is legitimate. This document ensures that you have been informed how the puppy has been bred and that you are confident it is healthy.
Signs you’re dealing with a bad dog breeder (150)
Unfortunately, there are a lot of irresponsible breeders out there. These breeders often give the impression of being professional. They might even be registered with an organization such as the American Kennel Club (AKC) and have a professional-looking website.
Nevertheless, there are some tell-tale signs of a bad breeder you should look out for:
- Offers to deliver a dog: A good dog breeder will always invite you to their home or property to buy a puppy. They will never offer to deliver a dog or meet you at a halfway point and should be considered a warning sign.
- Ignores health issues: Good breeders are very aware of health issues regarding their breed and will readily offer advice and information on the topic. If a breeder is unable or unwilling to discuss genetic issues and common problems with a breed, this should be considered a red flag.
- Not let you see parent dogs: You should be suspicious if a breeder refuses to let you see the mother or father of the puppies. It might be that the parent dogs are poorly looked after, over-mated, or have a poor temperament and the breeder should be avoided.
- Be willing to sell a puppy too early: If a breeder is willing to sell you a puppy without vaccinations, before 8 weeks of age then this is a bad sign. You are likely dealing with an amateur breeder who is simply looking to make a profit off the dogs without caring for their wellbeing.
- No screening: Good breeders ask a lot of questions to make sure their dogs are going to the right home. If you find a breeder is willing to sell you a puppy without screening your household setup first, they should be avoided. Not only is the screening process good for your family but it ensures dogs go to loving homes.
Finding a dog breeder
The best way to find a good dog breeder is to ask people with experience. The best ways include:
- Ask a vet: Veterinarians see a lot of dogs, day in, day out, and will often treat ones that come from puppy farms. You can ask your local vets, then, if they know of any breeders to avoid. Vets are keen to make sure family dogs are healthy and happy so they will likely have a list of approved breeders too.
- Ask owners: If you see a good example of a breed, ask the dog’s owner if they mind sharing details of the breeder. Most dog owners love talking about their pets and will readily share information on good breeders.
- Check your country’s kennel club website: Most countries have a kennel club website where accredited breeders are registered. For the USA, this is the AKC which lets you search by breed and discovered breeders. Kennel clubs can help match you up with responsible breeders, though it’s important to still do your own research.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I make sure a dog breeder is legit?
One way to make sure you’re dealing with a legit dog breeder is to ask for 2 or more references. Ideally, this should be from owners with dogs several years old. You can also look at the breeder’s social media pages to look for feedback.
How do I check a dog breeder is registered?
Reputable breeders will be registered with the Kennel Registry of their country. Being part of a kennel club means a breeder is raising dogs with the right documentation and to the defined standards of that breed.
Be mindful, however, as there are smaller, niche, kennel registries that do not carry the same authority as national kennel clubs.
Is it hard to find a dog breeder in my area?
It can be difficult to find good dog breeders near you. Finding the right puppy from the right breeder can often mean traveling quite long distances. This is worthwhile, however, as you will have a happier, healthier dog as a result.