Once you decide to look for a puppy of your own, AKC Marketplace can connect you with a responsible breeder. But you’re also going to have to do some research, mixed with a dollop of good, old-fashioned gut instinct.
Here are some considerations to guide you in your search.
Who Does the Breeder Associate With?
Like-minded individuals who share the same values and goals are drawn to one another.
Beyond being a member of AKC, look to see how involved a breeder is in your community. Do they belong to any committees or hold any offices? Do they belong to any regional or local clubs for the breed? Do they volunteer to help with club activities? Do they attend the national specialty, an annual show focused on one breed? The underlying question is whether the breeder has done anything to give back to the breed.
Experience Counts
The longer a breeder has been breeding, the more experience they have, and the easier it will be to research them. Skimming their social media pages or website can give you a good sense of their reputation. Look for comments from other well-established and reputable breeders, as well as testimonials from people who have gotten dogs from them in the past.
Long-time breeders often have waiting lists of repeat customers who understandably will be given priority over newcomers. Don’t discount a breeder just because they’re new and having their first litter. Everyone has to start somewhere. If the breeder is doing things right, they will almost always have an established mentor or co-breeder guiding them. Ask about that person, and then do some more research.
Breeders should be knowledgeable about their breed, but no one knows the answer to every question. What’s most important is having a network of smart and responsive peers to rely on for guidance in situations they haven’t yet encountered.
Tradition Over Trends
Reputable breeders aim to produce healthy, physically, and behaviorally stable dogs that meet the breed standard. Most avoid purposefully breeding for any trait that defies the requirements of the standard.
Don’t trust breeders who are actively marketing puppies that differ from the breed standard. This includes toy dog breeders who boast about their “teacups.” These cleverly marketed runts are susceptible to a variety of health problems and are not a recognized size in any breed.
Fad colors should also be a red flag. The only reason to intentionally breed them is to cash in on inexperienced dog buyers who are willing to pay top dollar because of their “rarity.”
Healthy Habits Before and After Birth
Breeders can’t control everything that happens with their dogs, but they can ensure that the dogs in their breeding programs are as healthy as possible. There are two kinds of tests for breeding stock. Health screenings, such as hip X-rays and blood tests for thyroid levels, confirm that a dog is free from disease. DNA or genetic tests determine if a dog is a carrier of a particular disease or disorder.
Organizations such as the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) maintain databases of the tests that breeders do on their dogs. Be sure to look not just for your potential puppy’s parents, but their siblings and ancestors. Ideally, you’d see evidence of a long-established family of dogs with documented health testing that goes back for many generations.
Meeting the Litter
Pay particular attention to the environment and the dogs themselves. Does the house or kennel look clean? Do the puppies appear to be in good weight, lively, and vigorous?
The sire of the litter is often not with the puppies, as a breeder’s criteria in planning a mating involves finding the most suitable match, not the most convenient one. But the mother should be there, interacting with her puppies, and appearing comfortable and settled.
The Breeder Should Interview You Back
The breeder should be just as interested in determining if you are a suitable owner. Expect lots of questions about previous dogs you have owned, the number of people in your household and their ages, your work schedule, where the puppy will live, and how it will be trained and socialized. Breeders whose first questions are about how soon you can leave a deposit are giving you a very clear signal of their priorities.
Beware of breeders who place puppies before they are eight weeks old. Maturing puppies need this time with their littermates to learn proper canine manners. Toy dog breeders will often hold their puppies back for as long as 12 weeks.
The Puppy Contract
Reputable breeders require buyers to sign a contract, whether they are acquiring a show dog or a family pet. The contract will outline the basics about the puppy – including the names of both parents and the puppy’s AKC registration number – and will always include a return-to-breeder clause. No matter how old the dog, no matter what the reason, reputable breeders require that any dog they bred be returned to them.
Can You Count on Them?
Even after completing all your due diligence, choosing the right breeder can still feel overwhelming, and that’s perfectly normal. After all, a puppy is not just a product, and a breeder is more than a salesperson. A breeder is someone who should be a valuable resource and mentor for you throughout your dog’s life.
In such a long-term situation, personalities matter. No matter how well-recommended and well-regarded a breeder is, if you don’t click with one another, that’s as good a reason as any to keep searching.
One tried-and-true approach is to ask yourself a key question – If I had an emergency with my puppy in the middle of the night, would I feel comfortable calling this person? If the answer is yes, then you may have found your future breeder.
Final Thoughts
Finding a responsible breeder involves more than just picking out a puppy. It requires careful consideration of the breeder’s affiliations, experience, adherence to tradition, health practices, and their willingness to engage with you as a potential owner. Remember, you’re looking for a breeder, not just a puppy. Once you find the right breeder, the right dog will come.
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