How to find a reputable dog breeder(pro tips for you)

Questions the breeder may ask 

Why do you want a German Shepherd, and what will you be doing with him

Do you have any experience with a German Shephers or have you had one in the past

Do you have the necessary time and energy and money to care for the needs of our new dog 

Do you have a fenced yard and a place to regularly exercise you German Shepherd

DO you have children in the home and other pets? If you have other dogs, what sex are they? Are you willing to choose an opposite-sexed German Shpherd to compatibility

How many hours a day are you home? Are there others in the home who will spend time with your German Shepherd

Can you provide the name of your vet and at least 3 references who can speak to your ability to care for you pets 

Will you be able to bring all members of the family to visit the breeder’s kennel before the puppy goes home with you 

Will your German Shepherd accompany you on vacations and if not, how will he be cared for 

Will you promise to return the German Shepherd to the breeder if at any time you are no longer able to care for him

Although some of these items may seem intrusive, please understand that most breeders are not seeing a products; thy are placing a living being under you care. they look at is as an adoption process more than as the sale of a commodity

Of all the resources for finding you new puppy or dog, one of the best is the local hobby breeder. This is a person who is a fanatic about the breed and is involved in a regional club and in  the sport they enjoy. Even if you are looking only for a family pet to accompany the family around the block and on camping trips and to be there in the home to love and protect, the hobby breeder can be your best resource. This breeder likely knows the issues of the breed, and if they do not have available puppies, they probably know who does. They probably will also have raised their puppies in their home, will be familiar with the personalities, and will be able to match you with the right puppy. There are even some breeder who will not allow the buyer to pick the puppy but will make the choice themselves. As offensive as that may sound to some, it is not always a bad idea. You will probably find that the knowledgeable hobby breeder charged more than the breeder with no club network and active participation in a sport or activity with their dogs. That is simply because there are costs involved in doing it right. they involve the vet care of the sire and dam, as well as the puppies the health checks and certifications, the proper shots and nutrition, and in general, a greater attention to detail and the health of the breeding. And yet, the knowledgeable hobby breeder seldom makes any profit from their breeding. Most of these breeders are in it for the love of the breed and do not expect to make a profit. You will probably find that the hobby breeder has a waiting list for his dogs

Hobby breeder especially are going to be very particular when choosing a home for their puppy. That’s right. This is not a matter of your deciding to but a puppy. Many breeders will not allow you to have their puppy without first checking you out. Although there are those who will be offended by that practice, it is born our of an ethic that sees a lifetime responsibility for what the breeder brings into the world. They will want certain guarantees from yu, including a commitment to return the dog at any point that you cannot keepi him. Most breeders do not want to ever find their stock in a shelter. So it is best not to start by asking what the price will be. Those who are interested only in a cheap price will raise flags for the breeder. You will want to ask about health histories, certification for the parents and so forth. This shows that you are knowledgeable and are interested in the quality of the breeding. Look at the condition of the home and kennel. It may be a cue as to how careful this breeder is with the rest of their program. This check is not a matter of perfect housekeeping but of general order and sanitation. Ask about the breeer’s involvement with an organized dog sport such as hunting showing or obedience. Ask what organizations the belong to that are dog related. Ask if they have signed the Breeders code of Ethics. This does not guarantee that they follow it., but it may provide some indication about their ethics in breeding. Ask question and expect question in return. Ultimately, the relationship with your breeder should become on that is ongoing throughout the life od the dog.

Finding a reputable dog breeder is one of the most important things you can do when you are about to buy a dog. Also, dog adoption or buying a dog is one of the best decisions you can make for both you and your family. It is one of those important life decisions that we make depending on the kind of lifestyle that we have. But if you have already decided that you will find yourself a dog as a companion, you need to make sure that you get the right person to do that for you. This is because once you have brought a dog home it becomes part of you and your family. A good and reputable breeder will provide you with a pup that will be on your side for years healthy.  However, if you do the opposite it will be more than frustrating. That is why we have prepared this article to give you the best tips that you can get to avoid future problems. So, if you have already decided to get into the four-legged world let us look at what you need to know. Test and ensure that their Vizsla breeding stock is cleared of hip dysplasia; and should be able to provide proof of testing for both the dam (mother) and the sire (father) from the one of the various testing organizations (American Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA), International Canine Genetics (PennHIP) in the USA, a Veterinary College in Canada, or the British or European equivalent). If the breeder also has copies of test results for the puppy’s grandparents and greatgrandparents, so much the better. • Ensure that their breeding stock is tested and cleared for other genetic diseases known to affect the Vizsla breed (e.g. eye diseases: Canine Eye Registration Foundation (CERF) certification; sebaceous adenitis) (thyroid, congenital heart disease). • Know very well the pedigrees of their own dogs; and be willing to provide these.

Reputable breeders should stand behind the quality of their dogs and rarely have a problem with a trial period where you can test the dog’s personality and temperament and allow you to return with a full refund if the dog proves to be unsatisfactory for any reason. Nevertheless, be sure this is stated in the contract

Encourage you to meet the dam and the sire (if he is on the premises) and provide copies of their registration certificates. • Be willing to show you where the puppies are whelped and raised. This should be a clean, heated, indoor facility.

Put your purchase agreement/contract in writing. You should enter into a contract with the breeder that guarantees the dog is a purebred Vizsla, and eligible for individual registration. That the dog is from sound, healthy stock and, if given proper affection, care and nutrition, should develop into a sound representation of the breed.

Outline in writing what s/he is prepared to do if you encounter problems or have to give up the dog. Most breeders give you 48 to 72 hours to have your own veterinarian check your puppy and, if necessary, return or exchange the dog. Note that some breeders will offer to take a dog back, for the lifetime of the dog.

Provide you with written instructions on the care and feeding of your new Vizsla puppy; and ideally will send your puppy home with a small supply of food.

Happily provide references from other puppy buyers, other dog owners, or breed club members. Talking to the breeder’s previous buyers will tell you a lot about the individual with whom you’ll be dealing with, if you purchase his/her dog. • Provide follow-up support and assistance after you bring your dog home and will encourage you to call or write if you have questions or problems. • Will want to hear from you !! From the puppy’s first few days of adjustment in its new home, to stories and pictures, achievements, etc. for the life of the dog.

Does the breeder offer a health guarantee? Any responsible breeder will ask you to sign a contract that spells out the arrangements. A contract should protect the buyer as well as the seller, and always puts the puppy first and foremost. The breeder should be willing to offer a written health guarantee. Health guarantees can vary with regards to time frames/age.

Does the breeder do any health testing for OFA Hips/Elbows/Heart, CERF testing for eye problems? OFA refers to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals that is a registry for Orthopedic and Cardiac diseases in dogs. Hip x- rays are evaluated and given a rating by the OFA. This cannot be evaluated by a regular vet. CERF testing is done only by a certified Veterinary Ophthalmologist.

Who is a reputable dog breeder?

A reputable breeder is one that has researched the various breeds that he will be breeding. They know the history of the pedigrees and can carefully select the dogs for mating. These breeders have a good history of dog breeding producing pooches that have certain qualities and traits. Breeders are different and not every breeder will give you your dream puppy. Some of them are just in for the money and some are not even well informed to be doing it in the first place. There are more bad breeders than there are good ones and you should be on the lookout for them. Just by doing a simple google search on breeders in your area will give you lots of results most of which are from bad breeders and puppy mills.

Be on the watch for Backyard breeders(puppy mills)

Backyard breeders take advantage of the fact that some people are so eager to get a puppy. Most of their practices are shady, to say the least, and most dog lovers may not seem to know anything about them. On the other hand, puppy mills are more of commercials breeding facilities that are mainly focussed on mass-producing puppies and making money on the demand. The health of the puppies or their welfare is the least of their concerns. Most of these facilities are illegal. A common practice carried out in puppy mills is the inbreeding of puppies which produces pups with may health problems. You should avoid backyard breeders and puppy mills at all costs. If you fail to do so you will end up incurring hefty vet costs which can be completely avoided. This is not to say that a dog from a responsible and reputable breeder can’t develop health complications. In some cases, this may happen but they do not occur as much.

Here are some puppy mills red flags

✘ They sell their pups at highly discounted prices. ✗ These breeders do not ask any questions about your lifestyle and the environment that you live in. ✘ They always have puppies on sale. ✗ Some of them advertise their puppies as rare. ✘ The dogs that are in facilities are usually of poor health and most of them have dogs with no titles. ✗ They keep their dogs in small cages that are stacked on each other most of the time. ✘ The environment where these puppies are kept is unclean and sometimes you do not even get to see where they have been kept. ✗ These breeders separate the pups from their mothers before they are 6 weeks old. ✘ They offer to ship the puppy to you eve before they meet you or do any screening of where the puppy is going to end up. ✗ Responsible breeders do not place ads on the internet which a majority of the puppy mills do.

Finding a reputable dog breeder

When you decide to get yourself a puppy you have to know that it is not an easy task. And as with any other major life decisions that you make you must put in the work to make sure that you find a dog breeder who is committed to what he/she is doing. So, here are some tips for finding a reputable dog breeder. 

You need to know if you are ready to own a dog yet

First thing first, before you decide that you are going to start searching for a reputable breeder you need to consider if it is a good choice for you. The things you need to look at are your lifestyle, any commitments you may have, and your budget.

Lifestyle

If you have ever owned a dog or you own one, you know that taking care of him requires time. Leaving your dog alone for more than 3 to 4 is not recommended at all. For puppies, they should not be left alone for more than 30 minutes. Pups can easily suffer from separation anxiety and can be very destructive when they are left alone for long periods. They could end up chewing on your items and furniture and any housebreaking progress that you may have made could be reversed. Before you decide that you are going to bring a puppy home you should ensure that you have a flexible schedule and that you can provide him with 20 to 30 minutes of training daily. You also need time to take them for walks, to play, and to socialize them. These things have to be done if you want your pup to be well behaved. Depending on how active you are, you should choose a dog that can fit your lifestyle. If you are an active runner and hiker a German Shepherd may be the perfect dog for you. However, if you are more of cuddles and a relaxing person you should go for a dog that does not need that much exercise like the Chihuahua. Also, some dogs may not cope very well with other pets and children. Therefore you should do enough research on the breed you want to bring home before you decide to do it. Novice dog owners may also find some dog breeds more difficult to deal with than others.

The size of your home

While some dogs may be fit for life in the city or an apartment some may not cope very well. Larger and more active dogs require space where they can roam and explore with a yard where they can play. You should also check with your landlord to see if they allow people to own dogs in their houses.

Dogs are not cheap

Buying and taking care of a pooch requires you to have a budget that can sustain that. The beverage price of most puppies is between $500 to $2000 for a single pup unless you are considering adoption. These puppies need to be taken to the vet, they need to be fed and you may also need to get insurance for your dog. The amount you spend will depend on the dog that you have. Below are some of the health costs that you may incur when you take visits to your vet.

These are some costs of the most common conditions suffered by dogs. You can visit a vet in your areas to see how they are charging and for better understanding. Be patient and do not be in a hurry to get a dog because it is a commitment that you need to make sure you are ready for. Canines require your love, time, and attention. 

Begin finding a reputable dog breeder

Once you decide that you are ready to own a dog and have found a breed that you would like it is now time for you to find a reputable dog breeder. Finding a reputable breeder can be a daunting task but when you know what to do you can make it easier for yourself. Reputable and responsible dog breeders will have both the mother and the father ready to view. You should always make sure that you see the dam(mother) and if the sire is not in the same place they should make an effort to make sure that you view him. Ensure that both the dam and the sire are healthy. The breeder should provide you with the health certificates for both of them. These pooches should have the desired personality traits and temperament. Good breeders tend to specialize in one breed and only have several litters per year. These breeders should have registration licenses from the American Kennel Club or any major dog kennel clubs for that breed you are looking for. Ask other dog owners and veterinarians where you can find a reputable breeder. These people can best direct you on where you can start the search for a responsible breeder. You can also visit online dog forums to learn more about the specific breed you are looking for.

Things to consider;

How many litters of puppies the breeder has every year? Do they have any social media or internet places where they can show you some of the work that they have done before? Check the feedback of the clients that they have had before. How long that breeder has been breeding dogs? Are they involved in any dog competitions such as dog shows or agility competitions? How many dogs they breed.

Ask the right questions(plenty of them)

Below are some of the questions that you should ask the breeder;

• Ask if you can meet both the sire and the dam.
• What he is currently feeding to his puppies.
• Have the puppies had any vaccinations?
• If the breeder has socialized the puppies or not.

You should also ask for the health tests and if they have participated in any competitions they should provide you with the evidence that proves the same. Good and reputable breeders should also have questions of their own. These questions are to ensure that the pup is going to the right home. They will want to know how much you are willing to spend on your puppy and your current lifestyle. Signing a contract that stipulates the return policy and some other issues is important. This is to ensure that once you take the puppy home and discover that his needs are too much for you, you can contact the breeder so that he can find a new home for the puppy. The more questions you can ask and the more you can know about the puppy and the reputable breeder, the better. 

View the puppy after finding a reputable dog breeder

A good breeder will allow you as the potential owner to view the puppies when they are between 4 to 6 weeks old before you take them home. At this stage, you can choose a puppy that you like from the litter and you will also be able to see how the mom and the pups interact. See how the puppies are developing and how they are socializing.

Wait till the puppies are at least 8 weeks old to take home

You should never take a puppy home until they are at least 8 weeks old. Puppies should never be separated from their mother before they reach 8 weeks old for them to get certain social skills, they also learn to bond and how they can play. Avoid dog breeders that suggest you should take your pup home before this like a plague.

You should keep in touch with your dog breeder

A reputable dog breeder will stay in touch even after you have collected your puppy and taken him home. During this period they should answer any questions that you may have and they may also check in from time to time to check how the puppy is coping. Some may also be willing to offer you a guarantee. This is not the best mindset you can have about any animal but it gives some dog lovers peace of mind. However, most reputable breeders do this to show you that they are confident with the health of their puppies. But you should know that these guarantees also have some restrictions such as no excessive exercise, limiting their jumps and no climbing the stairs for the first year. This guarantee is invoked by going for a vet exam. A good breeder will advise you on how you can feed the puppy depending on where you live and the genetics of the pup. At the time when you are taking your pup home, he/she should have begun a vaccination schedule and you should be advised on how to continue from there. You should also be aware that most reputable breeders have a waiting list and you may wait for up to one year to get a puppy. So, be patient.

Finding a reputable dog breeder summary

These are the top tips from Mydogsinfo.com on how you can find a reputable dog breeder. We have seen that one of the most important things that you can do is doing research and consulting experts. Find a dog breed that is suitable for you and one whose costs you can sustain. Once you have figured out which breed is suitable for you can start you search for your reputable breeder. If you do not know where to start in your area, visit your local vet for further direction. Did you find any of these tips to be helpful? Give us your feedback in the comment section below.  There you go WOOF!