Finding a Good Breeder
Most characteristics found in dogs, from structure, to color, to health and, most importantly, temperament are genetic. While environment can play a part in these things, how much influence environment can have is also largely genetic. Most health problems are genetic in nature, or at the very least require a genetic predisposition in order to occur. Temperament problems, such as skittishness and inappropriate aggression, are also more often caused by genetics than by past experience. Many people assume that fearful dogs must have been abused or neglected in order to act the way they do, when the unfortunate truth is that in most cases the dog was born that way. Therefore, the importance of good genetics when it comes to ensuring healthy, happy family pets is apparent.
This is of course where the breeder comes in. No one sets out to be a bad breeder or to produce poor quality dogs. But many people producing puppies do just that because they are either genuinely ignorant of the steps needed to be a good breeder breeding good dogs, or because they lack the time, money, energy or other resources to do so. Either way, no one wants to pay their hard earned money for a substandard product. Nor should they, as there are many good breeders with the knowledge, experience and quality control measures in place to produce high quality animals. While even the best breeder breeding the best dogs from the best pedigrees cannot entirely eliminate health and temperament problems, proper breeding practices can drastically reduce the incidence of these issues occurring. Therefore, one of the most important lessons a future puppy buyer can learn is to tell the difference between a breeder who is a good, reputable breeder, and one who is not.
Educate yourself.
The key to finding the right breeder is to first educate yourself. Don't rely on the breeder to educate you, as there are many dishonest breeders out there and without prior knowledge of your own it will be difficult, if not impossible, to sort out the good breeders from the bad and the truth from the lies. Read books, research on the internet, and talk to as many different dog enthusiasts and professionals as you can.
First, decide what breed is the right one for you. While we all have certain breeds who's looks we admire, and other's we don't, the physical package the dog comes in is far less important than it's personality. Make sure the breed you choose is a good match for your own personality, lifestyle and goals. Failing to do so is a recipe for disaster. Many apartment dwellers lean toward little dogs due to space and the belief that big dog = more space and exercise needed, when in fact many small breeds are very active and energetic, requiring constant attention. Whereas there are many large breeds of dogs who are very laid back and content to lounge on the couch all day long, making them much lower maintenance in the space and exercise department than smaller breeds. Some few breeds of dogs can live quite happily outdoors with limited interaction with people, while most will develop behavioral problems if kept isolated from their families for extended periods of time. For some dogs, an 8 week companion obedience class and infrequent practice is all that's needed to have a well mannered pet, while others with higher intelligence, work ethic and need for mental stimulation require frequent training for a lifetime to keep them from developing bad habits out of boredom. Your happiness and the happiness of your dog are contingent upon making a good match, and that starts with making an informed decision about what breed is the right choice for you.
Once you've decided on breed, research that breed extensively. Learn what the breed standard is, and learn about the different health and temperament faults common within that breed, and learn about the different types. Most breeds are divided into different subsets or types, created by decades, and sometimes centuries, of different groups of breeders breeding for different goals. Some breeders work to maintain their breeds true heritage, while others breed strictly for fancy show dogs, and others breed watered down versions for the mainstream pet market. The result is that today there are Labs who wouldn't know what to do if a bird fell on the ground in front of them, Beagles who'd completely ignore a rabbit running by, and German Shepherds and Dobermans who'd run and hide under the bed if a burglar broke into the house.
In short, not all dogs of the same breed are created equal and there is huge variance in type. Learn about these different types and decide which is best for you. While much of this can be done reading books and websites, really the best way to get a clear idea of what the types are like is to get out and see the dogs. And be realistic in your decision. While a German Shepherd from a long line of police dogs may sound cool, you may not have the experience or lifestyle to accommodate such a dog. And while it may seem attractive to own a "real Lab" from a pedigree full of serious hunters and field trial champions, you may find that this dog is very different from the Labs you are used to seeing and may not be a good match for you. Conversely, if you want a Pointer or Retriever or Spaniel and have an interest in hunting or field trial competitions, don't get a dog from conformation or pet bloodlines. And if you want to get involved in Schutzhund, look for a GSD or Rottweiler or Doberman from lines proven to still retain working ability.
Avoid Puppy Mills, Pet Stores and Newspaper Ads.
Good dogs are rarely found in newspaper advertisements or at pet stores. No reputable breeder would be so desperate as to sell his puppies to a pet store. Pet store puppies come from puppy mills. Like the name suggests, puppy mills are designed to produce a great number of puppies at low cost, which are then sold to pet stores who turn around and sell them to the public at exorbitant prices. These dogs are housed in cages, bred every heat cycle starting as early as 6 months old, and no genetic health or temperament testing is performed. Thus, the quality of these dogs is sub par. Historically, the only criteria that a puppy mill has for breeding dogs are that they be registered purebreds of the same breed. But even that doesn't hold true any longer, as puppy mills are now producing mixed breed "designer dogs" under cute or fancy names like Teddy Bear, Puggle, and Daisy Dog, and then slapping huge price tags on them. These are mutts and if a mutt is what you want, please visit your local shelter and save a life. Don't support such irresponsible, money hungry breeding practices.
Puppies advertised for sale in the newspapers are more often than not the result of someone putting two purebred dogs together in order to make a few dollars. These puppies may or may not be good dogs with good temperaments, but if they are it is luck, not planning. Someone mating the two family pets is not likely to put the time and money into researching pedigrees, screening the dogs for genetic defects and temperament faults, and overall ensuring that such a mating is beneficial to the breed as a whole. They may or may not even put the time and money into proper care of the dam and of the puppies. No reputable breeder would need to take out an ad in the local classifieds in order to find homes for his puppies. In fact, it is not uncommon for a conscientious breeder to sell his puppies with limited registration, often with stipulations to lift the limitation should the dog prove breed worthy, in order to prevent these kinds of back-yard breedings.
Don't be fooled by "AKC Registered" and "Champion Bloodlines".
Many breeders promote their dogs as AKC Registered, and in fact many poor breeders use this as their primary marketing technique, implying that "AKC Registered" is a stamp of quality. Reality is nothing can be farther from the truth. In order for puppies to be registered, AKC, and other less reputable registries such as the CKC, require only that both parents be registered purebreds of the same breed. That's it. No health or temperament testing is required. The parents don't have to even meet their breed standard with regards to size, color, structure and coat type in order to be bred. There is nothing to stop a breeder from breeding animals that are poor representatives of their breed in every way, registering the puppies and selling them as "AKC Registered."
Another common marketing technique is to say a dog is from "Champion Bloodlines". That doesn't mean the puppies, or even their parents, are of any sort of quality. Any purebred dog, including ones who look and act nothing like they're supposed to, can trace it's roots back to a few Champions and probably has a couple within the first few generations of it's pedigree. Quality is easily lost when breeders don't strive for it, and unless the subsequent breedings between those "Champions" and the current litter have been done by conscientious, responsible breeders working to improve their bloodlines, having those champions in the pedigree means nothing.
Good breeders are involved in dogs beyond just breeding puppies.
This is the first thing to look for to determine if a breeder is a good one or not. If the breeder just breeds, but never trains or titles or shows their dogs, walk away. Good breeders study their breed and are involved in their breed as a whole. They will be known within their breed's community because they get out and participate. They train and title their dogs in some venue. What that venue is depends on the individual breeder's interests, chosen bloodline and goals. Someone who is into show lines is going to show their dogs and put conformation championships on their dogs. Someone into the hunting lines of any of the Sporting or Hound breeds will hunt their dogs and participate in field trials with their dogs. Someone who is into working lines of any of the Working or Herding breeds will compete in schutzhund, herding, or may utilize their dogs in Search and Rescue or Law Enforcement.
Breeders being involved in their breed outside breeding is vitally important. First, it shows a true love of their breed and dedication to their breed, not just a desire to line their pocket book from puppy sales. Secondly, it provides a venue through which their breeding stock are tested and objectively evaluated to see how their dogs measure up against a set standard and against other representatives of the breed. This helps ensure the quality of the breeder's lines. Third, it allows the breeder to network with other breed enthusiasts sharing information about pedigrees, health histories, training methodologies, and every other breed related topic imaginable.
And lastly, it demonstrates the breeder's competence. If they are successful in their chosen venue, not only does this prove that their dogs have what it takes, but it proves that the breeder has what it takes as well. They haven't just read about it in a book or on a website, or talked to someone who's done it. They've done it themselves. They know how to select breeding dogs and plan matings to produce good candidates for that activity, and they know how to properly raise and train a dog for that activity. This knowledge and experience on the part of the breeder is very important to the potential customer. By knowing what it takes to be successful, the breeder can not only help the customer select the right dog but they are better prepared to offer advice and support to the customer throughout the dog's life.
If you are looking for a dog to perform a specific task, find a breeder who specializes in that type of dog. If you want a hunting dog, find a breeder who hunts or competes in field trials with his dogs. If you want a conformation dog, look for someone who shows his dogs. If you want an obedience dog, find a breeder who puts CDXs on his dogs. Needless to say, if the breeder has no experience in the activity for which he claims to be breeding dogs, it's not real likely that he knows what he is doing. Someone who has never done any herding isn't going to know what to look for in a good herding dog. In addition, just because a dog comes from a long line of working dogs or champion show dogs does not mean that dog has what it takes to be one himself. And no one will ever know if he does or not unless someone tries with him.
Good breeders are breeding for a purpose, and want to improve their breed.
Look for breeders who are breeding for a purpose. Ask the breeder straight out what are the goals of his breeding program. If the breeder cannot answer this question, or answers with something along the lines of "well, she's the best dog I've ever had and I wanted a puppy out of her" or "she's a great dog and there should be more like her", go elsewhere. There are a lot of nice dogs in the world, but that doesn't mean that they should be bred. Good breeders do not breed just to produce puppies and make money. They breed out of love of the dogs and to better their breed. Good breeders have long term goals for their breeding program, and will carefully select each mating to further these goals and improve the breed.
Ask the breeder what the faults of his dogs are. Kennel blindness is common in the dog world. Many breeders will openly berate the dogs from other bloodlines or breeders, but will not discuss or are completely oblivious to the faults in their own dogs. The fact is no dog is perfect. Every dog has faults. There is an axiom in breeding that when you breed something in, you breed something else out. Thus, the goal of a good breeding program is not to produce the perfect dog, there is no such thing, but to create the least imperfect dogs. It is a constant battle to minimize the faults, while highlighting the good points. When looking at a particular breeding or puppy, ask the breeder what the goals for that particular mating are. Why was that particular stud chosen for that particular bitch? A good breeder will be able to tell you how the dogs compliment each other, the good points of each dog that he hoped to bring out in the breeding, and the faults that he hoped to minimize.
Good breeders health screen their dogs.
Every breed of dog has common health problems that are genetic within that breed. Some breeds have more genetic health problems, or more common genetic health problems, or more severe genetic health problems.. but they all have some sort of health problems. Good breeders should work very hard to eliminate these issues. Educate yourself regarding the genetic health concerns of your chosen breed, and ask the breeder what he is doing to prevent them in his dogs. If the breeder claims their breed or bloodlines is 100% healthy and there are no problems.... run away. Every bloodline of every breed has some genetic health issues and a breeder who says otherwise is either extremely ignorant, or outright dishonest. Either way, find another breeder.
The first step any responsible breeder takes is to have their breeding stock health tested to ensure that each individual dog is free of genetic health problems. In the large breeds of dogs where hip and elbow dysplasia is common, this means ensuring that all breeding stock are certified as free of dysplasia by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals. In breeds such as Golden Retrievers where eye problems are common, breeding dogs should have their eyes certified through CERF. A bleeding disorder called von Willebrand's Disease is common in breeds such as the Doberman. A simple blood test can be done to see if an individual dog has the disorder or is a carrier of that disorder.
It is not feasible, or even possible, for a breeder to screen for every existing genetic defect within a breed. No testing exists for many of these problems, and while a test may exist for a specific health disorder, if that disorder is uncommon or non-existent within the breed or bloodlines the breeder is using, it would be unrealistic to expect the breeder to screen for it. But obviously, whenever possible, the breeder should screen their breeding dogs for disorders common to their breed or bloodlines, and should make the results available to customers. Don't take the breeder's word for it that they've health screened their dogs. Ask for proof in the form of OFA certificates, blood test results, and other documentation.
Unfortunately, while health screening can reduce the incidence of health problems by eliminating affected dogs from the genepool, all the health screening in the world cannot eliminate problems entirely. Most genetic health problems are not only recessive, but also polygenic. This means it takes multiple genes in certain combinations for the issue to arise. Bad genes can remain hidden for generations, only to rear their ugly heads years down the road when just the right genetic combination comes together in a breeding.
Therefore, it is also important that the breeder knows not only his own dogs and their physical soundness, but also be knowledgeable about his dogs' pedigrees and the bloodlines from which they descend. Different bloodlines of dogs are known for carrying the genes for different faults and health concerns. This is not to say that these dogs should not be bred, but breeding partners should be carefully selected to minimize the likelihood of these problems coming to the surface. If the bitch's bloodline is known to produce the occasional dog with EPI, for example, finding a bloodline that is clear of EPI should be a top priority when selecting a stud to mate her to.
The unfortunate reality is that if we eliminate from breeding not only all dogs who have health problems, but also all dogs who have relatives with health problems (and thus may carry the genes for those health problems themselves) we'd have no dogs left to breed. Thus, even the best, most conscientious breeder who has done everything humanly possible to reduce the risk of health problems will produce a puppy with a health problem from time to time. This shouldn't be held against the breeder... it happens. Most good breeders offer health warranties on their puppies for just this reason, and should an issue arise they will offer some sort of compensation to the customer, even though they did all they could to prevent it. The actual wording and stipulations of warranties varies from breeder to breeder, but the point is that the breeder is willing to stand behind his dogs and is confident enough to do so.
Good breeders don't just answer questions, they also ask them.
It goes without saying that a good breeder should happily and openly answer any questions a prospective customer may have. Whether the questions be about the breed in general, health testing, temperament testing, training, housebreaking or any other topic, the breeder should provide clear answers. The breeder should also gladly provide references for past clients and others who have experience with them or their dogs, and encourage you to contact those references. A breeder who dodges questions or dances around subjects should be treated with suspicion. What are they hiding? And a breeder who is unwilling to answer questions and help educate a potential customer before a sale certainly isn't going to be willing to offer long term advice or support to customers after the check has cleared.
But the really good breeders go beyond just answering questions from potential customers, they ask a lot of questions of their own. Don't be put off if the breeder asks you as many, if not more, questions than you ask him. Good breeders feel responsibility for their puppies. They not only want to ensure that their pups go to responsible owners who will provide the pup with the best of care, but they also want to make sure that the pup and owner are a good match in personality. Just as it's important to the customer to determine if the breed, type, bloodline and individual pup are right for them, it's important for the breeder to determine if the home is right for their dog. Screening of potential buyers and asking a lot of questions is the best thing a breeder can do to ensure that not only is the customer happy with their purchase, but the puppy has gone to the best possible home.
Other things to look for and questions to ask.
To ensure you get a pup who's a good match for you, find out how the breeder goes about selecting puppies for customers. There is much more to puppy selection than the customer handing the breeder a check and the breeder handing the customer a puppy. At least there should be. Good breeders put a lot of time into puppy selection. They interview their customers to determine what type of puppy would suit them best, and select puppies for customers accordingly. In addition to daily observations of the puppies, there are several commonly used puppy tests to assist with selection. The advantage to these tests is that they are conducted with the puppies by themselves, in unfamiliar surroundings, so that the breeder can see how the puppy reacts to different stimuli when away from his home and littermates. Few good breeders will let customers select their own pups, or if they do it will be from just a couple of possible candidates, not the entire litter. No matter what a customer's experience, he is not going to be able to observe a puppy for a few minutes, or even a few hours, and know as much about the puppy's individual personality as the breeder who has been observing the pup daily since birth. The breeder's experience and more thorough knowledge of the puppies makes him better able to select the pup that fits the criteria given by the customer, and in this way the customer gets the pup that is the best for him and his own goals and situation.
If you find a good breeder locally, visit them. Ask to see all their dogs, particularly the parents of any puppies you are interested in. It is not always possible to see the sire, as many breeders stud their bitches out to outside dogs, but you should certainly be able to meet the dam. Watch the dogs carefully for any signs of temperament problems. Temperament is the result of both genetic and environmental factors, and as the puppies spend so much time with the dam during their early development she will have a bigger impact on their future personalities than the sire will. Avoid purchasing a puppy from a breeder whose dogs show any kind of fear or shyness, skittish behavior, or unprovoked aggression. Some barking and such behavior when you first arrive is acceptable, after all dogs are protective animals and if the bitch already has her puppies she will be more so. However the dogs, including the dam, should tolerate your presence and be approachable by adults and children alike when the breeder is present. Not all dogs are overly friendly and outgoing and will engage a complete stranger in a game of fetch. Some are more aloof and standoffish, and depending on breed and what the dog is bred for this is not necessarily a bad thing. However, even aloof dogs should allow themselves to be calmly petted and should show no shyness or skittishness. Regardless of the purpose for which you intend to use your dog, good temperament is always a priority. A dog that is confident, curious and friendly is always a good thing.
When at the breeders, also take a look at the overall set up of their facility. Whether the dogs are house dogs, kennel dogs, or some of both, take note of their living situation. Are things clean, or is there dog poop all over everything? Do all the dogs appear healthy and happy? Are they well fed, well exercised, and do they have access to fresh water? Ask the breeder what food he feeds, is it a quality commercial or homemade diet, or cheap poor quality kibble? Just because a breeder takes excellent care of his dogs doesn't necessarily mean that he will put the same time and effort into his puppies, but if a breeder doesn't take good care of his dogs it's a sure bet he won't with the puppies either. If the breeder does have a litter of puppies when you visit, ask to see them. Pay special attention to the area where the puppies are kept to ensure that they are in a clean environment. Keeping the puppy area clean is not only important in terms of health, but is vitally important to success in future housebreaking.
Ask the breeder how his puppies are socialized. Are they just kept in a kennel with mom and their littermates until they are old enough to go to their new homes? They shouldn't be. Early socialization is very important for puppies. The breeder should make sure that the pups are handled by people several times a day, every day. This exposure to people shouldn't just be limited to the breeder himself. The puppies should also be exposed to strange people, adults and children alike, strange sounds, smells, objects and surroundings. In fact, when you first ask to see the litter beware of any breeder who hesitates to show them to you. A good breeder will happily jump at the chance for some extra puppy socialization. The more early socialization a young pup gets, the more curious and confident he will be as an adult.
And finally, find out what kind of long term support that the breeder provides to his customers. A good breeder will ask that you keep in touch, and provide photos and updates as to how the puppy is doing. They will make sure you know how to contact them should you have any questions or concerns with the pup, even years down the road. And they will be happy to answer those questions. A good breeder will offer that if ever, at any time, you are unable to keep the puppy, they will take it back and either keep it themselves or find a good home for it. Many breeders will even put such stipulations in their sales contracts in order to ensure that they know where all their puppies are at all times. Someone who is willing to do this shows that his concern for the pups goes beyond raising them until 8 weeks old and then sending them off. A good breeder is concerned with the welfare of his puppies for their entire lives, not just until they leave his kennel.
But I just want a pet!
Few people would rush out and buy a car or a house without taking their time to research and shop around and make a sound decision. Yet every day those same people do just that when it comes to bringing into their home a living, feeling animal who they intend to have become a member of their family for the next 10-15 years. And many of those who do start off on the right track doing their research soon find themselves overwhelmed by the sheer volume of information out there, the differing opinions on breeds and bloodlines, not to mention the fancy breeder advertisements and websites all claiming to have the best dogs in the world. Oftentimes they want to just throw their hands up in frustration and just go out and grab the first cute puppy they come across. They feel that because they just want a pet, not a show dog or a performance dog, all those titles and certificates have little value. And then when the see the prices of quality pups as compared to what they can find in their local newspaper, they get hit with sticker shock and question if it's worth paying all that extra money for "just a pet".
The truth is, it is worth it and it does matter. Do pet owners not deserve a quality dog? Is a dog of sound health and temperament not important to a pet owner? I would argue those things are every bit as important to a pet owner, particularly when one takes into consideration the fact that a pet owner may not have the knowledge, experience or resources to properly recognize and cope with health issues or temperament related behavioral problems.
Sure, well bred dogs cost more. Sometimes significantly more. There is a lot of cost, not to mention time and energy, involved in a good breeder doing what they do. No one would expect to get a BMW quality car for a Yugo price, and the same applies to dogs. You get what you pay for. And while a quality pup from a good breeder may cost more initially than a pup from a questionable breeder, that cheaper pup may turn out to be much more expensive in the long run. One can easily rack of thousands of dollars in vet bills for health problems or private training fees for behavioral/temperamental problems, not to mention the emotional heartache and stress that comes with an unhealthy or unstable dog. And while these things are still possible even in well bred pup, all the effort good breeders put into their breedings make these things significantly less likely to occur.
The importance of health testing should be abundantly clear to anyone, regardless of whether or not they want a pet, schutzhund dog or show champion. But let's look at titles, as this is the area where many people looking for family pets feel is unimportant in relation to their goals. After all, what bearing do obedience titles or schutzhund titles on breeding stock have on a pup's suitability to family life?
To understand this, we must first understand the purpose titles serve and that that purpose extends far beyond proving an individual dog has what it takes in any given venue. To achieve a title requires the trainer to spend a huge amount of time training and working with that dog in a variety of different situations and environments. All that equates to the trainer really, really getting to know that dog well. Through this training, the trainer gains an much more comprehensive understanding of the dog's nerves and temperament. The stress of training, travel and competition, of going to new places and being surrounded by strange dogs and people, may bring to light temperament and nerve faults that would otherwise remain hidden when the dog is at home in familiar surroundings. Training and working the dogs allows breeders to gather intimate knowledge of each dog's individual personality and it's true ability to do what it's bred to do. This knowledge could never be obtained if the dogs just lie on the couch, or live in a kennel all day, and is invaluable both to deciding whether or not a dog is worth breeding and in selecting the right mate for the dog.
Shows and competitions also provide excellent third party evaluations of the dogs, both objectively compared to the standard and subjectively compared to other representatives of the breed. They test the dog's structure, temperament, nerves and trainability in ways that would never be done if the dog never left the breeder's property. Even if all you are looking for is a family pet and you have no plans to ever show or compete with your dog, this is very important. The pup need not be a top show or performance prospect, but the sound temperament that comes with generations of breeding only dogs who are thoroughly tested in this area is of great importance, even for people who want "just a pet".
Can good dogs come from bad breeders? Of course they can. The most ignorant, careless and irresponsible person will succeed on occasion just due to chance. Just as a broken clock is still right twice a day. Can bad dogs come out of good breeders? Yes. Even the most careful, conscientious and responsible person will sometimes fail due to chance. But getting a dog from a good breeder certainly loads the odds in the buyer's favor.
If you find yourself determined to get a dog, but the effort or expense of getting a pup from a good breeder is out of reach, please, PLEASE visit your local shelter or contact your local rescue. The genetic gamble of health and temperament issues in a dog of unknown origin from a shelter or rescue is no greater than that in a dog from poor breeding, but at least in that case your hard earned dollars would go to a good cause and save a life instead of supporting irresponsible breeding.
For more information about the different aspects of genetic temperament and how they impact a dog's ability to serve both as a working partner and a trustworthy home companion, and therefore the importance of breeders thoroughly tempreament testing their breeding stock, this article is excellent: The Elements of Temperament by Joy Tiz.