Pet shops are certainly an easy way to buy puppies but these puppies are more likely to have been mass produced and little attention has been paid to health.  Also, these puppies are sold with hefty price tags.  Guarantees are sketchy at best and a return policy is usually for thirty days.  After that, you are on your own.

   The next option is the backyard breeder. These people have two dogs, one of either sex and decide that Rover should have some fun with Roverette. After all, the children need to see the miracle of birth and Roverette has to have a litter before she is spayed. Surely a litter of puppies is money in the bank. This sounds like a good idea to the breeder but to the buyer, it may be a disaster waiting to happen. These are the puppies where no health testing or pedigree research has been done on the parents. They might be registered and this fact is supposed to be a selling point.

   Next is the sophisticated backyard breeder.  He may dabble in showing in conformation and/or obedience but maybe has not accomplished much.  He may have some knowledge but more than likely, hasn’t had enough experience or contact with people in the breed to be of any real help.  His main selling point may be that there are X number of champions in the pedigree and these puppies may be show quality.  That seems to be the catchall phrase and meant to impress the buyer.  In fact, many things are done to impress a buyer and marketing is important.  Again health testing is probably not done on the parents of the litter.  If there is any health testing, it is minimal.

How many years have you been involved with this breed? (Preferably over fifteen.)

Why did you decide this was the breed for you?

Do you show your dogs?  How often do you attend dog shows? How long have you been showing your dogs?

Do you have both parents on the premises? (This is a trick question.  If the sire of the litter is there and is not a champion, this was probably a convenient breeding and no research has been done on pedigrees.  Run.)

What health tests have been done on the parents of the litter? A visit to the veterinarian last week doesn’t count when it comes to health testing.  (At the very minimum, OFA hips, CERF, and thyroid testing should be done.  Do not accept the statement that the parents are very healthy and don’t need to be tested.  The breeder should be able to back up a claim of testing with certificates.  Actually take the time to look at the health papers and study them.)

Are the sire and dam registered? (A word here about registration.  American Kennel Club or AKC registration is preferred.  There are other registries out there but they are less stringent about their registration procedures.  Don’t be taken in by the answer of “yes”.  Ask to see the registration papers.)

Is there a pedigree for the puppies that I can look at? (A good breeder will have one of these available.)

Are the dogs conformation champions, obedience title holders or do they have CGC (Canine Good Citizen) certificates?  Are these certificates available for viewing?  And if so, do the names on the certificates match the names on the registration papers? (All these things are ultimately temperament tests and very important things to consider for the future member of your family.  If the breeder boasts about certain accomplishments, don’t take his word for it.  Have him prove it)

Why did you breed this litter? (If the answer to this is anything but “I want to keep a puppy”, run as fast as you can.  Litters of puppies are hard work and expensive to produce.  Serious breeders don’t breed just to have puppies.  They want to continue their lines and of course want to keep a puppy to show, etc.)

Do you have a sales contract? Ask to see a sample.  (Companion dogs should be sold on limited registration.  If there is nothing in the contract about spaying and neutering, ask yourself if this is a person you want to deal with.)

What health warranties do you have?  What is the health history of the sire and dam of the litter?  What did the ancestors of the puppies die of and how long did they live? (A minimum of three years for a warranty is fair for genetic defects such as hip dysplasia and progressive retinal atrophy or PRA.  Know beforehand what diseases afflict your chosen breed.  Every breed has something.)

What happens if I can’t keep this dog? (A good breeder will take the dog back at any time, no questions asked and find another home for it.  The dog is the breeder’s responsibility for the dog’s entire life.  This is called a right of first refusal clause.)

Do you have references?  Ask for names.

When you see the puppies, are they clean, friendly and well fed? Runny eyes or puppies that hide in the corner are indications of problems down the road such as an illness or a fear biter.  Ask to see the whole litter.  Don’t accept the excuse that the rest of the puppies are sold and you don’t really need to see them.  It is very important that you do see them.  Maybe there are problems with the other puppies that the breeder is trying to hide.

What are the temperaments of the parents like?

Are the puppies raised in the home?  Socialization is important for a well-adjusted puppy.  If the puppies are kept in a shed out in the backyard or a kennel run, thank the people for their time and drive away.

Is the breeder a member of the parent club for his breed or an affiliate club? These clubs have their own screening processes for membership.  If the breeder claims to hold membership, ask for the name of the president of the club and check this out.

How does this person interact with the dogs? Kindly?  Harshly?  How do the dogs interact with him?  Friendly?  Fearful?  Dogs have a sixth sense about people and observing a dog’s behavior serves as an important barometer.

Ask other people in the breed about this person. What is the reputation of the breeder? Beware of long silences or responses like, “I can’t recommend them”.  If you are going to deal with this breeder, he should have a sterling reputation in the breed.

Lastly, what is your gut feeling about this person? Trust your instincts and people skills.  Be wary of the fast talker, the one who boasts extensively.  If they can’t provide proof to any claims, then they aren’t the breeder for you.  You should feel comfortable with dealing with this person because you will have a long term working relationship with him.

As with anything,

buying a purebred puppy is a buyer beware market.

Do your homework, take your time and be careful.