Finding a reputable breeder who breeds for quality health and temperament on a particular breed can take some time but once you find one, you can be rest assured you will be receiving a puppy that has gotten the best start in being a happy and well balanced puppy.
Reputable breeders take their jobs very seriously. Periodic tests are usually preformed on breeding adults to check for potential genetic defects or illnesses (eyes, hips, knees, cancers, etc..) Because they are always striving to make the breed better, these occassional tests are performed to ensure possible defects are not passed from generation to generation. Also, all reputable breeders usually register each adult and litter through the American Kennel Club (AKC).
During off breeding periods, breeders are usually showing their top dogs in shows; hoping to gain national recognition of owning a champion breed line. Their "bitches" (females) are usually given
the best prenatal care and mates are carefully selected to ensure quality health and beautiful puppies. Depending on the size of the litter, a breeder and, at times, a co-owner, will keep or selectively sell their "show" puppies to only owners who are seriously into training and showing that puppy into future shows that can offer potential champion titles. Depending on the breed, a show quality puppy can be $500-$1000 more than a "pet quality" puppy from the same litter. Because there is no difference in health and temperament of a show vs. pet quality puppy (other than the general appearance and "gait" of the puppy), breeders will selectively sell their "pet quality" puppies to people at a less expensive fee who just want to love, care and enjoy the puppy in a regular household envirnoment.
When dealing with a reputable breeder, these breeders will sometimes offer adoption applications to get a better sense of where the puppy will be living and with whom. Because they carefully select each applicant, they want to ensure you have the means to take care of that puppy as they have put so much time, energy and love to produce it. Regularly, contracts are also usually mandatory to ensure if an owner is no longer able or willing to take care of that puppy, the breeder will either take the puppy back or assist in re-homing the pet to another place. Also, it is common for a breeder to offer a health guarantee and the offical AKC registration papers.
Because people sometimes have the misconception that when dealing with a reputable breeder, you will be paying alot more money for a puppy, even a "pet quality" one but this is not necessarily the case. We have seen puppies sold by reputable breeders for less or about the same as when you are purchasing a pet from a pet store.
Our BEST suggestion when searching for a reputable breeder is to go to the American Kennel Club Breeder Referral. Here is where you can search by breed and contact the Parent Club of that specific breed. The acting "secretary" to that club will then refer you to the closest reputable breeder who is enlisted in the breed club and has puppies or will potentially have in the near future. Also, you can do an American Kennel Club Breeder Search of people that have AKC licensed puppies, but not necessarily showing puppies or adult dogs in pet shows.
Reputable breeders take their jobs very seriously. Periodic tests are usually preformed on breeding adults to check for potential genetic defects or illnesses (eyes, hips, knees, cancers, etc..) Because they are always striving to make the breed better, these occassional tests are performed to ensure possible defects are not passed from generation to generation. Also, all reputable breeders usually register each adult and litter through the American Kennel Club (AKC).
During off breeding periods, breeders are usually showing their top dogs in shows; hoping to gain national recognition of owning a champion breed line. Their "bitches" (females) are usually given
the best prenatal care and mates are carefully selected to ensure quality health and beautiful puppies. Depending on the size of the litter, a breeder and, at times, a co-owner, will keep or selectively sell their "show" puppies to only owners who are seriously into training and showing that puppy into future shows that can offer potential champion titles. Depending on the breed, a show quality puppy can be $500-$1000 more than a "pet quality" puppy from the same litter. Because there is no difference in health and temperament of a show vs. pet quality puppy (other than the general appearance and "gait" of the puppy), breeders will selectively sell their "pet quality" puppies to people at a less expensive fee who just want to love, care and enjoy the puppy in a regular household envirnoment.When dealing with a reputable breeder, these breeders will sometimes offer adoption applications to get a better sense of where the puppy will be living and with whom. Because they carefully select each applicant, they want to ensure you have the means to take care of that puppy as they have put so much time, energy and love to produce it. Regularly, contracts are also usually mandatory to ensure if an owner is no longer able or willing to take care of that puppy, the breeder will either take the puppy back or assist in re-homing the pet to another place. Also, it is common for a breeder to offer a health guarantee and the offical AKC registration papers.
Because people sometimes have the misconception that when dealing with a reputable breeder, you will be paying alot more money for a puppy, even a "pet quality" one but this is not necessarily the case. We have seen puppies sold by reputable breeders for less or about the same as when you are purchasing a pet from a pet store.
Our BEST suggestion when searching for a reputable breeder is to go to the American Kennel Club Breeder Referral. Here is where you can search by breed and contact the Parent Club of that specific breed. The acting "secretary" to that club will then refer you to the closest reputable breeder who is enlisted in the breed club and has puppies or will potentially have in the near future. Also, you can do an American Kennel Club Breeder Search of people that have AKC licensed puppies, but not necessarily showing puppies or adult dogs in pet shows.
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